Building a Secure Network with Cisco Meraki
IT leaders these days are looking to do more with less, and that philosophy extends to network infrastructure. Fortunately, Cisco Meraki has a top-of-the-industry suite of network technology that is cloud deployed and delivered, with all the components you need to maintain a secure, robust, agile network without relying on expensive resources or on-prem requirements.
The foundation of Meraki's network architecture is rooted in the cloud. This approach enables businesses to move past historical limitations by centralizing management and operations within a cloud-based ecosystem. By shifting network management to the cloud, you can seamlessly access and control your network infrastructure from anywhere, anytime, with greater flexibility and scalability.
Not only that, but Meraki's integration of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) capabilities elevates network security to new heights. This approach converges networking and security solutions, offering a cloud-native architecture that enables secure connectivity regardless of the location of your users. SASE unifies various security features such as SD-WAN, firewall, and access controls into a comprehensive cloud-delivered service, ensuring robust protection across the entire network.
In this blog we will delve into a high level look at some of the more popular Meraki devices, designed to fortify network security and create a dynamic, agile, and highly secure network infrastructure. By leveraging Cisco Meraki's cloud-first approach, unified dashboard, and advanced SASE capabilities, businesses can pave the way for a more secure, efficient, and scalable network ecosystem.
Access Points
You need access points for wireless connectivity. It’s how you and your employees connect to your internal network, the Internet, and beyond. Meraki has their own line of access points that meet the needs of most organizations, meeting and exceeding standards for wireless efficiency and performance.
Access points stand as the gateway to this connectivity, enabling employees to link to internal networks, the Internet, and beyond. Among the leading providers in this sphere, Meraki has carved its niche with the MR series, setting a high standard in wireless efficiency and performance for organizations of various sizes.
What sets Meraki’s access points apart is not just the quality of the hardware but the holistic ecosystem it provides. These access points are supported by Meraki's cloud-based dashboard, enabling centralized management and configuration across multiple sites. This remote management capability streamlines the deployment and maintenance process, reducing operational complexities and costs.
CW9192
Designed to be deployed in offices, shops, schools, hotels, and hospitals, the CW9192 is a powerful and efficient access point with intuitive management and world-class security. Whether you’re streaming high volumes of video and voice traffic or managing network segmentation, the CW9192 can manage these data loads without compromising on performance or security. The intuitive management system makes it user-friendly, enabling seamless integration into existing networks with minimal hassle.
MR76
IP67-rated and suitable for dusty, wet, and rugged environments, the MR76 takes the power of Meraki access points and takes it outdoors. It's an ideal solution for industries that require outdoor coverage, such as warehouses, construction sites, or public outdoor spaces. The rugged build ensures its durability, while maintaining the high standards of wireless connectivity and security that Meraki is known for.
Switches
Meraki switching technology is robust and scalable for many different environments. The switches' integration of various features such as remote packet capture, automatic firmware upgrades, and support for advanced security protocols ensures that you have the tools at your disposal to maintain a secure and high-performing network environment.
MS130 Series
The MS130 series provides a robust foundation for Layer 2 access switching, tailored for both branch and campus deployments. Managed through the Meraki dashboard, these switches have a range of functionalities that prioritize seamless management and performance optimization.
The MS130 series is available in 10 different models, with up to 740W of power at various port densities, plus a robust feature set that enables you to provide switching across a variety of deployments.
MS225
The MS225 series further elevate network capabilities with features designed to meet the evolving demands of branch deployments. Most popular with our clients is the 48FP model, complete with stacking capabilities, 10G SFP+ uplinks, and options for an optional rack-mountable remote PSU, catering to power redundancy requirements.
Routing and Security Devices
The Meraki MX series comprises routers that serve as both security and SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) appliances. Each model within this series is designed to meet the unique demands of different business needs, offering a unified management platform that allows for seamless control over the entire network infrastructure.
The MX line has advanced security functionalities such as intrusion detection and prevention, next-generation firewalls, and advanced threat protection. They also facilitate cloud-based security features, including application prioritization and data loss prevention, enhancing the overall security posture of the network.
We will see clients use MX devices for anywhere from 50 to hundreds of users, and there is a Meraki MX device for every organization. Plus, with ThousandEyes support, the Meraki MX series is a great way to incorporate holistic security into your organization. Here are some of the most popular MX models among our clients:
MX67
Designed for small branches accommodating up to 50 users, the MX67 packs a punch with its 600 Mbps firewall throughput and 300 Mbps site-to-site VPN throughput. It’s a great option for smaller organizations or branches looking to maximize efficiency.
MX68
This model provides essential security features and built-in SD-WAN connectivity to Cisco Umbrella global data centers, offering application prioritization, data loss prevention, and more. Ideal for small to medium-sized organizations, the MX68 ensures granular control over applications and SaaS tenant restrictions.
MX85
With the capability to support up to 250 users, the MX85 steps up the game with enhanced firewall throughput of 1 Gbps and 500 Mbps site-to-site VPN throughput. Its versatile WAN and LAN configurations, along with comprehensive security features, make it a good choice for larger organizations or branches
MX105
Tailored for large-branch deployments accommodating up to 750 users, the MX105 brings 3 Gbps firewall throughput and 1 Gbps site-to-site VPN throughput. Its WAN and LAN configuration options, along with high-speed connectivity, make it an ideal choice for large and expanding organizations.
IoT Cameras and Sensing Technology
Part of maintaining a secure network means tending to physical security as well. After all, no matter how secure your network is, if someone can just walk into your data center and plug in, all your efforts would be rendered fruitless.
Fortunately, Meraki not only provides secure networking technology, but physical security devices as well. They have a range of MV cameras as well as various types of environmental sensors help you manage and monitor access while providing a system of automated alerts to keep you informed.
The Meraki MV camera line is one of the best in the market, with a camera for every use case. We’ve selected the three most popular camera among our clients to highlight their features:
MV22
The MV22 is an indoor varifocal dome camera engineered to provide indoor surveillance capabilities. Armed with 256GB high write endurance solid-state storage, this camera has an extensive recording capacity, making it ideal for various indoor environments where historic monitoring is required.
What sets the MV22 apart is its flexibility, owing to the up to 3X optical zoom, catering to dynamic indoor settings. Its 1080p high-definition video recording with Smart Codec encoding delivers crisp and clear footage for detailed monitoring. Moreover, the 3-9 mm varifocal lens adds to its adaptability, allowing for diverse coverage options.
MV32
The MV32 is a game-changer in the realm of surveillance, introducing an immersive 360° viewing experience that allows users to see everything with unparalleled detail and depth. With digital pan, tilt, and zoom features, the MV32 offers comprehensive coverage and flexible monitoring options that transcend the limitations of traditional cameras.
The camera's 8.4MP sensor with up to 2058 x 2058 recording capability provides clear imagery, ensuring that no detail escapes its lens. Its 180° horizontal and vertical fields of view capture the whole scene, delivering an extensive perspective that leaves no blind spots.
MV72
The MV72, an outdoor varifocal dome camera, has the power of Meraki MV cameras but suited to outdoor environments. With 256GB of storage, the MV72 delivers high-quality outdoor surveillance. Enduring a variety of demanding outdoor environments, it features up to 3x optical zoom and boasts IP67 and IK10+ ratings, ensuring resilience against environmental challenges and vandalism.
In addition to the 1080p high-definition video recording with Smart Codec encoding, the MV72 comes equipped with a microphone for audio recording, adding an extra layer of surveillance capability. The 3-9 mm varifocal lens and IR illumination up to 30 meters (98 feet) contribute to its adaptability and provide clear, detailed footage even in challenging outdoor conditions.
Sensing Technology
Meraki MT sensors empower you to control your environment, monitoring indoor air quality and crucial factors such as temperature, humidity, and access to IT infrastructure, reducing downtime, costs, and energy usage. These sensors not only bolster network reliability and equipment lifespan but also contribute to reduced energy consumption through smart monitoring and automation, aligning with global sustainability initiatives. Additionally, Meraki sensors can play a crucial role in fostering healthier environments by monitoring CO2 levels, temperature, noise, and other air quality factors, ensuring safe and comfortable conditions for your employees.
Meraki is not just transforming spaces—they’re redefining the future of work, creating environments that are both secure and environmentally conscious, setting a precedent for workplaces worldwide.
The Meraki Dashboard
All Meraki devices are tied together by one common interface: the Meraki Dashboard.
One of the key advantages of the cloud-based Meraki ecosystem is the ability to monitor, manage, and optimize the entire network from a single dashboard. This unified dashboard provides a comprehensive view of the entire network, allowing administrators to make informed decisions, quickly address issues, and streamline network operations. This single-pane-of-glass management simplifies the complexities of network management, saving time and resources.
With the Meraki dashboard, all your Meraki devices, and some third-party devices, can be monitored and managed by one cohesive platform. Automatically roll out firmware upgrades, set security protocols, and troubleshoot network issues from one place. It saves you and your employees time and effort and negates the need to navigate between different management applications for your different systems.
The Meraki dashboard also lowers the ongoing costs of operating a Meraki network. Because of the intuitive browser-based interface, rapid deployment of your technology is accessible to technical resources without intensive training or certifications. Your Meraki devices can be deployed at a remote location in minutes, even if no on-site IT staff are available. Plus, 24x7 monitoring via the Meraki cloud delivers real-time alerts if your network encounters problems. Remote diagnostic tools enable immediate troubleshooting over the web so that you can manage distributed networks with minimal hassle.
The Meraki Ecosystem
Meraki has a huge app marketplace that greatly expands the functionality and operational capabilities of Meraki products. This provides you with a multitude of additional tools to help you customize and optimize your network infrastructure. From advanced security applications to streamlined management solutions, the app marketplace addresses diverse needs across industries, making it easy for to you tailor your approach to best suit the unique needs of your organization. By fostering a dynamic marketplace where third-party developers can contribute, Meraki ensures that you can have access to cutting-edge technologies and specialized tools that cater to specific industry use cases.
Conclusion
As you continue to navigate an increasingly complex technology landscape, you need good partners, and the right technology, to address those challenges. Meraki is a huge player in the Cisco product ecosystem and provides an excellent foundation for your network and beyond. Whether you’re addressing cybersecurity concerns, upgrading your networking technology, or creating dynamic, comfortable environments for your employees, Meraki has the technology for your solution.
Here at Telcion, we’ve sold, implemented, and managed Meraki systems for countless clients and industries, so we know all the ins and outs. If you want to have a no-strings attached conversation about bringing Meraki into your organization, or expanding its footprint, schedule a call with a member of our team.
