According to Juniper Mist documentation, the term "Adopting a Switch" specifically refers to the process of bringing an existing, already-configured switch—often termed a brownfield device—under the management of the Juniper Mist cloud. This is distinct from the "claiming" process, which is reserved for greenfield environments where new, factory-default switches are added using a QR code or activation code.

In a brownfield scenario, the switch is typically already in production or has a pre-existing local configuration that must be preserved or integrated into the Mist AI-driven dashboard. To adopt such a switch, the administrator must manually interact with the switch's Command Line Interface (CLI). The Mist portal provides a unique adoption command—a string of Junos OS configuration—that includes the specific URL for the Mist cloud and the organization’s unique registration token. Once this command is pasted into the switch's CLI and committed, the switch initiates an outbound connection to the Mist cloud via TCP port 2200 or 443.

Upon successful connection, the switch's status changes from "Unassigned" to "Connected" in the Mist dashboard. This transition allows the Mist AI engine to begin collecting telemetry, monitoring Service Level Expectations (SLEs), and performing automated troubleshooting. While the adoption process allows for "monitoring only" mode to avoid disrupting existing services, it is the fundamental first step for transitioning legacy Juniper infrastructure into a modern, cloud-managed Wired Assurance environment. This workflow is essential for organizations looking to leverage Marvis AI and automated operations without having to factory-reset their entire existing network.