Price quote for a 400G carrier-grade router

Carrier-grade 400G routers typically range from several tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on model, port density, and features.

Price Overview

High-capacity 400G routers are designed for service providers, data centers, and large enterprises. Examples include:

• Juniper MX204-HW-BASE: A compact edge router with up to 800 Gbps switching capacity and multiple 10/40/100GbE ports. While exact pricing is not publicly listed, similar edge routers typically cost $50,000–$100,000 depending on configuration and licensing .
• Cisco ASR-9904: A 4-slot 400G router suitable for core and edge networks. Pricing varies with modules and support options, generally in the $100,000+ range for fully equipped systems .
• Juniper PTX10002-36QDD: A high-end carrier router with 28.8 Tbps forwarding performance, supporting 400G and 800G WAN and data center use cases. This platform is optimized for scale-out architectures and flexible licensing, with costs often exceeding $200,000–$300,000 for full deployments .

Factors Affecting Cost

1. Port Density and Speed: Routers with more 400G ports or support for 800G upgrades are more expensive.
2. Licensing and Features: Advanced routing features, security, and software licenses can significantly increase total cost.
3. Form Factor: Modular chassis routers (e.g., Cisco ASR-9904) are generally more expensive than fixed-configuration edge routers (e.g., Juniper MX204).
4. Support and Maintenance: Enterprise and carrier-grade support contracts add to the overall cost.

Cost Optimization

Many vendors, including Juniper, offer flexible licensing and pay-as-you-grow options, allowing operators to purchase only the bandwidth and features needed initially, reducing upfront investment while enabling future scalability .

Summary

Carrier 400G routers are a significant investment, with prices ranging from $50,000 for compact edge models to $300,000+ for high-capacity core routers. Costs depend on port density, features, and vendor-specific licensing. Flexible licensing and modular designs can help optimize expenditure while supporting future network growth.