Centrally Managed from the Cloud

The Cisco Meraki Cloud Networking architecture enables plug and play branch deployments and provides centralized visibility and control across any number of distributed locations.

The Cisco Meraki MS is the industry's first cloud managed switch, combining the benefits of cloud-based centralized management with a powerful, reliable access platform.

With cloud management, thousands of switch ports can be configured and monitored instantly, over the web. Provision remote sites without on-site IT, deploy network-wide configuration changes, and easily manage campus and distributed networks without training or dedicated staff.

Virtual Stacking

Cisco Meraki MS Switches feature virtual stacking — an industry first — that allows management of thousands of switch ports as one, without requiring a physical connection between switches.

Quickly find and configure switch ports across your entire network, even those in geographically-distributed locations. Easily configure ports for access devices, assign voice VLANs, control PoE, and more, with a few simple clicks and without complex CLI instructions.

Virtual stacking is built-in to all Cisco Meraki MS Switches, with no need for extension modules, proprietary cables, or extra configuration. Simply log in to the Cisco Meraki dashboard and manage the entire access switch infrastructure without concern for their interconnectivity.

Layer 7 Application and Client Visibility

Cisco Meraki MS Switches are the industry's only switches featuring integrated Layer 7 application and client fingerprinting and analysis. Hundreds of applications are automatically identified and reported, from business apps to BitTorrent and YouTube, so administrators can see where resources are spent.

Device fingerprinting with Google-like search allows administrators to easily find and identify individual users, iPads, Androids, and other devices. Search for devices across the entire network right from the Cisco Meraki dashboard, no matter which switch a device connects to.

Layer 3 Scalability & Failover

Quickly scale growing networks while ensuring redundancy for critical switch infrastructure with Meraki layer 3 switches. Intuitive, dynamic routing configurable in the dashboard simplifies management by removing complex command line interfaces. Traffic flow is optimized at line rate without sacrificing deep visibility into client devices and application use. Deploy ACLs directly on MS switches to secure boundaries between VLANs, hosts, services, and the Internet.

In addition to dynamic routing, layer 3 Meraki MS switches support VRRP for warm spare failover, ensuring immediate recovery of gateway responsibilities—avoiding downtime and client disruption.

QoS for Voice and Video

Deploy latency-sensitive applications such as voice and video by guaranteeing network performance. Voice and QoS features such as per-VLAN and protocol-based prioritization, as well as flexible QoS assignments, give inuitive, granular control.

Intelligent use of LLDP on the network makes deploying devices such as VoIP phones painless. Simply select a VLAN for voice in the dashboard, and selected ports will accept tagged traffic on the voice VLAN. The port also uses LLDP advertisements to recommend devices use that VLAN for voice traffic.

PoE / PoE+

The Cisco Meraki MS220-8P, MS22P, and MS42P Switches support PoE and PoE+, delivering up to 30W to support the most power-hungry devices. A total budget of 380W delivers the power necessary to run dozens of VoIP phones, access points, or other PoE devices.

Beyond simply delivering PoE output, Cisco Meraki Switches intelligently allocate power based on device advertisement (LLDP). Switches report consumed power vs. budgeted power in the Cisco Meraki dashboard, uncovering power savings across the switch network. Port-scheduling with built-in energy-saving templates reduces unnecessary power consumption and increases security.

Remote Live Tools and Alerts

MS Switches make powerful live tools available for remote troubleshooting at any time. From infrastructure uptime and performance testing to device troubleshooting, live tools simplify day-to-day network administration and dramatically shorten time to resolution.

Built-in Ethernet cable testing no longer requires an excursion to one or more switch closets just to verify cable integrity. Simply select a switch port, run a cable test, and see results right in the dashboard, even if there is no device connected on the other end.

Each Cisco Meraki MS is automatically monitored 24×7 via the cloud. Email and text message alerts are configurable to immediately notify administrators of configuration changes, switch downtime, and even per-port disconnection events.

Enterprise Security

Extending security down to the port level has never been easier. MS Switches integrate seamlessly with enterprise-grade security systems using 802.1X. Define access policies, segregate guest devices, and quarantine entire environments right from the dashboard.

Applying policies on many ports takes just a few clicks — even if the ports are spread across many switches. Simply search to find the ports of interest, click to apply the desired policies, and save your changes. Policies are pushed immediately to the desired ports.

Seamless firmware updates, two factor authentication, and other built-in protections make secure, PCI and HIPAA-compliant networks easy and cost effective.

Lifetime Warranty and Advanced Replacement

MS Switches feature long lifetime components and are designed for high reliability. Even though they're built to provide years of reliable service, MS Switches also include a lifetime warranty, and are eligible for advanced shipment replacement, minimizing potential downtime and securing your investment.