Cisco Meraki: what it is, what it can do and how it makes life easier

In short, Meraki is a range of Cisco products that can be securely managed in the cloud. They are designed to provide simple, intuitive and scalable experience at the network level. Whether we refer to SD-WAN and network security, remote connectivity, local connectivity, wireless connectivity, cellular connectivity, smart surveillance cameras or even environmental monitoring sensors, Cisco Meraki is a cloud-managed solution for every use case.

Meraki MX – SD-WAN and security

The Meraki MX series contains multifunctional security and SD-WAN devices managed in the cloud, which provide secure connectivity to distributed locations, campuses, data centers or multi-cloud environments. Their capabilities include: application-based firewall, content filtering, web search filtering, intrusion detection and prevention based on SNORT, Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP), automatic site-to-site VPN, client VPN, WAN and cellular failover, dynamic path selection, web application performance, VoIP performance and more. SD-WAN can be easily extended to provide optimized access to resources in public and private cloud environments with virtual MX devices (vMX). Public clouds supported by vMX include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud and Alibaba Cloud.

This series includes equipment for the following use cases:

• small branches up to 50 users: MX67(-/C/W) and MX68(-/W/CW)
• medium branches up to 250 users: MX75, MX85, 8111-G2-MX, 8121-G2-MX
• large branches up to 750 users: MX95, MX105
• campuses up to 10.000 users: MX250, MX450, 8455-G2-MX
• virtual appliances: vMX (Small – 500 / Medium – 2500 / Large – 10.000)

More information about the Meraki MX series can be found at: https://meraki.cisco.com/product-collateral/mx-family-datasheet/

Meraki Z4 – remote connectivity

The Meraki Z4 series contains gateway-type devices for remote employees. They combine a firewall, a VPN gateway and an enterprise-class router in a single device. Each model offers wireless connectivity and five gigabit ethernet ports, one of which provides PoE for VoIP phones and other powered devices. Each model is designed to securely extend the power of the cloud-managed Meraki network to almost any location. The Z4C model, with a built-in LTE modem, simplifies any deployment that requires a backup cellular connection or is located in a remote site.

More information about the Meraki Z4 series can be found at: https://documentation.meraki.com/SASE_and_SD-WAN/Z-Series_Teleworker_Gateways

Meraki MS – local connectivity

The Meraki MS series contains cloud-managed switch devices designed to be easy to manage, without compromising the power and flexibility traditionally found in enterprise-class switches. With cloud management, they provide administrators with deep visibility into the network and how it is used. You can see from hundreds of locations which switches are close to maximum capacity and quickly reconfigure switch ports with different settings, while unified policies and monitoring make switch management simple, efficient and scalable.

This series includes the following categories of switches:

• Layer 2 access: MS130, MR130 compact, MS130R, MS150, MS210, MS225
• Layer 3 access: Catalyst 9200L-M, Catalyst 9300L-M, Catalyst 9300-M, Catalyst 9300X-M
• Aggregation: MS450

More information about the Meraki MS series can be found at: https://meraki.cisco.com/product-collateral/ms-family-datasheet/

Meraki MR – wireless connectivity

The Meraki MR series contains enterprise-grade wireless access point (AP) devices that provide powerful and intuitive centralized management, while eliminating the need for traditional physical wireless controllers. Meraki wireless APs are designed for challenging enterprise environments, featuring high-performance hardware, multiple radios and advanced software features, with proven scalability and reliability (99,9 cloud SLA) that ensure support for the most demanding use cases.

This series includes the following categories of wireless APs:

• Indoor WiFi 6: MR28, MR36, MR36H, MR44, MR46, MR46E, MR56
• Outdoor WiFi 6: MR76, MR78, MR86
• Indoor WiFi 6E: CW9162, CW9164, CW9166, CW9166D1, MR57
• Outdoor WiFi 6E: CW9163E
• Indoor WiFi 7: CW9172H, CW9172I, CW9176I, CW9176D1, CW9178I

More information about the Meraki MR series can be found at: https://meraki.cisco.com/product-collateral/meraki-wireless-cloud-family-datasheet-managed-wireless-access-points/

Meraki MG – cellular connectivity

The Meraki MG series contains cellular gateway devices that convert a cellular signal into wired Ethernet WAN connectivity, enabling high-speed, always-on fixed wireless access for business-critical operations in any location. Part of a modern, platform-based approach to network security, MG cellular gateways complement Meraki MX devices to secure users and infrastructure while maintaining optimal network performance.

This series includes the following categories of cellular gateways:

• 4G: MG21, MG21E, MG41, MG41E
• 5G: MG51, MG51E, MG52, MG52E

More information about the Meraki MG series can be found at: https://meraki.cisco.com/product-collateral/mg-cellular-gateways/

Meraki MV – surveillance cameras

The Meraki MV series contains smart cameras that bring simplicity and intelligence to the world of physical security. Each model combines a powerful processor with an innovative architecture to minimize physical infrastructure as well as software requirements. In addition, Meraki smart cameras feature advanced video analytics capabilities that enable people counting, vehicle detection and even license plate recognition through third-party integrations. MV smart cameras combine fast processing power, robust security features and sophisticated analytics in a refreshingly simple package.

This series includes the following categories of surveillance cameras:

• Indoor: MV2, MV12(WE/W/N), MV13(-/M), MV22(-/X), MV23(M/X), MV32, MV33(-/M)
• Outdoor: MV52, MV53X, MV63(-/M/X), MV72(-/X), MV73(M/X), MV84X, MV93(-/M/X)

More information about the Meraki MV series can be found at: https://meraki.cisco.com/product-collateral/mv-family-datasheet/

Meraki MT – environmental monitoring sensors

The Meraki MT series contains sensors that intelligently monitor indoor environments to help organizations build a smarter and more sustainable future. With MT sensors, IT facilities and operations teams can minimize downtime, reduce unnecessary costs, maximize resources and improve employee/customer experience. The real value lies in using data to proactively address issues before they arise or to maximize resources to increase efficiency. For example, a water pipe leak above the data center, unusual power supply anomalies in connected devices or high CO2 levels in a classroom can be monitored and action can be taken before equipment fails or people are affected. Meraki MT sensors are designed to provide this insight, helping you prepare today for the unseen challenges of tomorrow.

This series includes the following sensors:

• MT10: Temperature and humidity sensor
• MT11: Temperature sensor with probe
• MT12: Water leak detection sensor
• MT14: Air quality sensor without CO2 detection
• MT15: Air quality sensor with CO2 detection
• MT20: Door open/close detection sensor
• MT30: Smart automation button
• MT40: Power monitoring sensor

More information about the Meraki MT series can be found at: https://meraki.cisco.com/product-collateral/mt-family-datasheet-20220308-english/

Meraki Dashboard – centralized cloud management that makes life easier

Meraki Dashboard is the centralized cloud management platform for the entire Meraki product portfolio and for the Cisco products listed above. These devices are designed for cloud management. Therefore, they provide centralized control, layer 7 visibility of devices and applications, real-time web-based diagnostics, monitoring, reporting and more. Meraki Dashboard offers rich-featured, scalable and intuitive centralized management for these, without the cost and complexity of wireless controllers or overlay management systems.

Meraki networks are deployed quickly and easily, without training or dedicated staff. Meraki Dashboard offers a rich set of features that provide full control over devices, users and applications, enabling flexible access policies and robust security, without additional costs or complexity. Cloud management from Meraki provides features, security and scalability for networks of any size. Meraki Dashboard scales from small locations to campuses and even distributed networks with thousands of sites. Meraki devices, which self-configure via the cloud, can be deployed in branches without IT. Firmware and security signature updates are delivered automatically via the web. Through the Meraki Dashboard platform, branches can automatically establish secure VPN tunnels between them with a single click.

Thus, when deploying Meraki products, complex lines of code are not required, everything is configured from a browser on a laptop or even from a phone. Equipment updates automatically and when additional equipment is added to the network, it automatically takes over existing configurations. And in the unlikely event that a problem occurs, administrators are automatically alerted by e-mail and can intervene for troubleshooting directly from a laptop or mobile application from anywhere, even from a café, minimizing resolution time and maximizing network availability.

If you want a network that is easier to manage and more secure, the Arctic Stream team can help you choose and implement the right Cisco Meraki solution. We offer end-to-end consulting and support for modernizing and optimizing your IT infrastructure. Contact us at [email protected].