Brocade BR-MLXE-4-MR2-X-AC Router

Key Features of the Brocade BR-MLXE-4-MR2-X-AC

Advanced MPLS Applications and SDN Integration

The BR-MLXE-4-MR2-X-AC delivers industry leading performance through its innovative hybrid port mode that enables simultaneous deployment of traditional IP routing and software-defined networking capabilities on the same port. This purpose built architecture supports comprehensive MPLS applications including IPv6 over MPLS, Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS), and BGP/MPLS VPN services, making it ideal for data center networks and metro ethernet deployments. The brocade fabric vision technology integrated into this platform provides unprecedented visibility into network behavior and performance, transforming complex data into actionable insights for network administrators.

Built with state-of-the-art sixth-generation network processor-based architecture and terabit-scale switch fabrics, the BR-MLXE-4-MR2-X-AC offers wire-speed forwarding performance across all software features including Ethernet, VLAN, IPv4, IPv6, MPLS, VPLS, IPsec, MACsec, and OpenFlow capabilities. This scalable design ensures that organizations can meet massive bandwidth demands while maintaining carrier-class reliability and availability that enterprise environments require.

High Performance Connectivity for Data Center Core Applications

The Brocade BR-MLXE-4-MR2-X-AC features a compact 5RU form factor that delivers exceptional forwarding capacity of 800 Gbps with a switch fabric capacity of 1.92 Tbps, ensuring optimal performance for data center core and campus LAN aggregation deployments. The system supports up to 4 100GbE ports, 32 10GbE ports, and 192 1GbE ports, providing the high performance connectivity needed for modern campus networks and service provider environments.

The chassis includes two high-speed switch fabric modules and one MR2 (X) management module that delivers 600 million packets per second routing performance, making it optimized for demanding IP ethernet deployments. This highly scalable architecture supports legacy connectivity through up to eight OC-192 (STM-64) ports and thirty-two OC-48 (STM-16) ports, ensuring backward compatibility while enabling organizations to meet future requirements as they grow their network infrastructure.

Secure and Reliable Enterprise-Class Architecture

Security and reliability are paramount in the BR-MLXE-4-MR2-X-AC design, which incorporates advanced features such as wire-speed IPsec encryption capabilities and comprehensive multi-VRF routing support for virtual routing applications. The system includes four exhaust fan assembly kits with side-to-back airflow design that ensures optimal thermal management under heavy loads, while the 1,800W AC power supply provides reliable operation in demanding environments.

The platform offers secure multi-service capabilities through its comprehensive Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching functionality, supporting RIP/RIPng, OSPF/OSPFv3, IS-IS, and BGP-4/BGP-MP for IPv6 routing protocols. These features make the BR-MLXE-4-MR2-X-AC an ideal choice for organizations requiring flexible network architectures that can support both traditional routing and modern SDN applications while maintaining the highest levels of data security and network availability.

Pay-As-You-Grow Scalability and Future-Proof Design

The brocade netiron architecture enables a pay as you grow model that allows organizations to start with basic configurations and expand capabilities as business demands increase. The modular design supports various line cards and interface modules that can be added over time, making it more cost-effective than replacing entire systems as network requirements evolve. This architectural flexibility ensures long-term value and investment protection for data center operators and enterprise organizations.

The open standards-based design supports integration with brocade VCS fabric technology and can seamlessly interwork with existing network infrastructure, providing a smooth migration path for organizations transitioning to software-defined networking architectures. The platform’s support for OpenFlow 1.3 with quality-of-service controls, IPv6, and group tables ensures compatibility with next-generation network management tools and orchestration platforms, making it a future-ready solution for modern enterprise environments.

Specifications of the Brocade BR-MLXE-4-MR2-X-AC

Hardware Architecture and Performance

The BR-MLXE-4-MR2-X-AC utilizes a fully distributed, non-blocking, and programmable architecture that delivers maximum performance and investment protection. The system features redundant switch fabric modules that provide N+1 redundancy, ensuring uninterrupted operation even during component failures. The midplane-less design enables future upgrades and expansion without requiring complete chassis replacement.

Power and Environmental Systems

The power system consists of a single 1,800W AC power supply that operates efficiently across a wide range of input voltages from 200 to 240 VAC. The system consumes a maximum of 1,730 watts of AC power with a maximum thermal output of 5,905 BTU/hr, making it suitable for standard data center cooling infrastructure. The operating temperature range spans from 0°C to 40°C, accommodating diverse deployment environments from campus networks to data center facilities.

The cooling system incorporates four exhaust fan assembly kits that provide side-to-back airflow throughout the chassis, ensuring optimal thermal management for all key components including line cards, management modules, and switch fabric cards. The air filter system helps maintain clean airflow and extends component life in challenging environments. All cooling components are designed for reliable operation in demanding enterprise environments.

Software Capabilities and Protocol Support

The BR-MLXE-4-MR2-X-AC runs the advanced Multi-Service IronWare operating system that provides comprehensive support for IPv4 and IPv6 dual-stack routing. The platform supports complete Internet table processing with hardware-accelerated Forwarding Information Base (FIB) programming and robust control plane protocols including RIP/RIPng, OSPF/OSPFv3, IS-IS for IPv6, and BGP-4/BGP-MP for IPv6.

Advanced MPLS capabilities include IP over MPLS, IPv6 over MPLS (6PE), IPv6 Layer 3 VPNs (6VPE), MPLS over GRE, Virtual Leased Line (VLL), and Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS). The system also supports comprehensive MPLS signaling protocols including LDP, OSPF-TE, IS-IS-TE, RSVP-TE, and CSPF for traffic-engineered applications. Security services include wire-speed IPsec encryption, MACsec support, and secure multi-VRF routing for virtual routing applications.

Family Comparison and Uplink Connectivity

The BR-MLXE-4-MR2-X-AC represents the entry level switch in the brocade routers MLXe series, offering an ideal balance of performance and cost-effectiveness for mid-size deployments. Compared to larger chassis models like the MLXe-8 and MLXe-16, this 4-slot system provides essential core routing capabilities while maintaining the same advanced feature set and architectural benefits.

The system offers extensive uplink connectivity options through its support for various interface modules, enabling organizations to choose the optimal combination of 1GbE, 10GbE, 40GbE, and 100GbE interfaces based on their specific requirements. The flexible port configuration supports both copper and optical connectivity, with options for direct attach copper (DAC) cables, single-mode and multi-mode fiber optics, and various transceiver types to accommodate different distance requirements and budget constraints.

At Network Republic, our end-user accounts are covered by a 1-Year Warranty on all hardware—whether New, New Open Box, New Pull, Refurbished, or Refurbished by Manufacturer —from the date of delivery. This warranty covers hardware defects under normal use and allows for repair, replacement, or in-house credit at our discretion.

For resellers and wholesale purchases, we offer a 30-Day Warranty limited strictly to functional issues or defects upon arrival, including dead-on-arrival (DOA) items; it does not apply to problems arising after prolonged use. Resellers are responsible for inspecting and testing products within the 30-day window. This warranty excludes accidental damage, misuse, cosmetic wear, third-party modifications, and software-related issues unrelated to hardware failure. Check out our full warranty policy here.

Software licenses are not covered under the standard return and warranty policies and need to be activated on the hardware within 7 days of receipt. Any issues need to be reported immediately, within 10 days, so we can issue an exchange. Under no circumstances will refunds be issued for software licenses.