According to Juniper Mist documentation, Wired Service Level Expectations (SLEs) are designed to provide operational visibility into the wired experience by monitoring Juniper EX and QFX Series switches. These SLEs leverage pre-connection and post-connection performance metrics to ensure network reliability and performance.
Pre-connection metrics are specifically focused on the initial phase of a client's journey to join the network. These metrics show the total number and the time required for successful connects and authentication. By tracking 802.1X events and DHCP snooping data, Mist can identify if clients are failing to onboard due to RADIUS issues, authentication timeouts, or failures in the DHCP binding process. This allows administrators to proactively address onboarding hurdles before they impact the broader user base.
Post-connection metrics, conversely, measure the network experience once a client is already "on the wire" and attempting to pass data. These metrics primarily measure throughput and focus on detecting various network errors and operational anomalies. Specifically, post-connection monitoring detects issues such as Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) loops, interface errors, and congestion. Additional post-connection insights include identifying cable issues, negotiation failures, and MTU mismatches that might occur during active data transmission.
In summary, Juniper Mist divides its telemetry into these two distinct categories to simplify troubleshooting. Pre-connection metrics ensure that users can get on the network, while post-connection metrics ensure that the network can sustain their traffic requirements without errors. This combined approach enables the Mist AI-driven Predictive Analytics and Correlation Engine (PACE) to provide a holistic view of the end-user experience, moving beyond traditional "up/down" monitoring to a deeper understanding of the quality of the client experience.
