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Meraki POE switches (Power over Ethernet switches) can conveniently supply power and network connectivity to IP cameras and Meraki access points. Cisco Meraki has Layer 2 and Layer 3 cloud-managed switches. The former works within a local network to facilitate communication between devices on the same network, while the latter can route traffic between multiple networks and provide additional functionalities like network-wide visibility and control, which are critical for larger organizations that need to manage complex networking environments.
Layer 2 switches connect devices within the same network on the internet and transfer data using MAC addresses. They have two types:
Meraki Layer 2 switches include the following models, distinguished by the number of ports and whether they support Power over Ethernet:
Meraki Layer 3 switches have more advanced functions than the Layer 2 model. They can route internet traffic and are equipped with several mesh VPN capabilities and intelligent packet forwarding.
MS320 and MS400 series provide Layer 3 capabilities. The switches in the MS320 series have 10 Gb uplink capacity with intelligent software and security features:
The Meraki MS400 series integrates cloud management and can be controlled from the dashboard. They provide Layer 2 and 3 capabilities with unmatched scalability.
Power Supply:
POE switches inject power into the Ethernet cable, which enables them to run network devices like IP cameras, phones, and access points. There are three power regulations in the IEEE POE Standard - POE-13W, POE+ - 30W, and POE+ - 60W for the POE Multicast Switches. Meraki multicloud POE switches also support the new POE 4 standard, where devices can be powered with up to 100W by using cat6a or cat7 cables. The benefit of running Meraki multicloud PoE switches is the capability of powering compatible Cisco Meraki devices like phones and cameras and the ability to use high-power devices like video conferencing hardware, room booking applications, IOT devices like intelligent lighting, and more.
Cloud Management:
Meraki cloud POE switches provide real-time information and analytics about the network using Cisco's MV cloud management platform. Network operators can monitor network POE switches and devices using the Meraki dashboard, configure settings, view event logs, and troubleshoot devices without requiring on-premises management software. The Meraki dashboard provides cloud management for switches, full visibility into switch port status, automatic topology mapping, and alerts for switches that require troubleshooting. Furthermore, whenever devices are added to the network, the switches automatically discover and provide an easy-to-configure, secure networking option.
Layer 2 and Layer 3 Capabilities:
Meraki cloud POE switches provide both Layer 2 and Layer 3 capabilities. The Layer 2 POE switches are responsible for switching Ethernet frames within a local area network (LAN) at Layer 2 of the OSI model. These include features like MAC address learning and forwarding, VLAN support for network segmentation, link aggregation to combine multiple switch links for increased bandwidth, and port security to protect the network from unauthorized devices. The Meraki Layer 2 POE switch provides an easy-to-use Meraki dashboard application with network visibility, real-time analytics, automated switching, and plug-and-play configuration. The Layer 3 switch performs all the functions of a Layer 2 switch. In addition, it can route IP packets between different networks at Layer 3 of the OSI model. This includes static routing and dynamic routing protocols like OSPF and RIP to determine the best path for IP packet routing, providing seamless inter-network communication.
High Throughput and Scalability:
Meraki cloud POE switches are designed to provide high throughput and scalability to handle growing network demands. High throughput refers to the switch's ability to process a large amount of data traffic efficiently. This is ensured by advanced switching architecture, robust hardware, and support for high-speed Ethernet ports like 10Gbps for multisite and high bandwidth to devices requiring POE. High throughput ensures reliable performance for applications requiring large data transfers like data center connectivity and multimedia streaming. Scalable refers to the capability of the Meraki POE switch to grow with network demands without requiring hardware replacement. This is achieved by features like stacking support to combine multiple switch units into a single logical device and port expansion modules to add more Ethernet ports. Scalability ensures that networks can accommodate the addition of new users, devices, and bandwidth-intensive applications.
The Cisco Meraki switch with Power over Ethernet is an enterprise-grade switch that connects to different applications and industries. The following applications are ways these switches are used to power devices and provide seamless connectivity:
Streamlined Deployment and Management
One of the key benefits of Meraki switches is their simplified deployment and management process. Cisco Meraki POE switches enable organizations to deploy infrastructure quickly and efficiently. Meraki MS switches utilize cloud-based management, which allows network administrators to configure and manage switches through a web-based dashboard hosted in the cloud.
This cloud-based approach eliminates the need for complex on-premises controller architectures and makes deploying and managing network switches scalable. The Meraki dashboard provides a centralized interface for monitoring network performance, configuring switch settings, and troubleshooting issues.
Data Center Connectivity
Research and data centers require high-performance fixed and modular switches to manage the interconnections of servers, storage, and other networked devices. Meraki switches support versatile Layer 2/VLAN and Layer 3/IPv4 routing, allowing administrators to implement VLANs and routing services for data center connectivity.
They also provide a range of features for data center environments, including Link Aggregation (LACP) to connect servers and storage devices to network switches, Multi-Host mode to allow multiple servers to share a single switch port, and port-based Access Control Lists (ACLs) for regulating traffic between data center resources.
The Meraki MS series of switches aid in providing secure, high-performance networking for data centers, ensuring seamless connectivity and compelling management for any organization.
IoT and Edge Networking
IoT devices connected to the network generate traffic that needs to be managed and secured. Meraki switches provide telemetry data, such as switch port utilization, to help administrators understand network performance and optimize traffic handling. The Meraki cloud architecture makes it easier to manage and maintain network connectivity for IoT devices.
By leveraging the capabilities of Meraki POE switches, organizations can ensure compelling performance and security for IoT traffic and enhanced network visibility for IoT and edge computing environments.
Education
In classroom education, Cisco Meraki switches are an ideal fit for delivering secure, high-speed networking to support today’s modern teaching and learning activities, whether traditional in-classroom learning, remote learning, or blended learning. With features such as simple web-based management, Layer 3 switching, and Power over Ethernet (PoE), Meraki switches can support complex and dynamic educational environments.
They can connect Wi-Fi access points to provide reliable wireless connectivity for students and faculty members and power network cameras and other devices used for campus surveillance and security. Connecting Meraki MS switches to Cisco Meraki MS cloud-based infrastructure allows network administrators to ensure network devices are updated and that systems are running smoothly.
Branch Office Networking
Organizations with branch offices can use Meraki switches to extend corporate network policies and provide seamless connectivity. Meraki cloud management enables administrators to maintain network visibility and control across branch office locations. Features such as switch port profiles enable consistent configuration of switch ports at each branch office.
L3 routing allows for virtual routing at each branch location, ensuring devices are assigned unique IP addresses and routing traffic appropriately. Organizations can deploy secure and efficient networking for branch offices by leveraging the capabilities of Meraki MS PoE switches.
When choosing cheap Cisco Meraki switches, customers should consider their port requirements. They should choose switches with the number of ports they need to connect devices. Customers can get 8, 16, 24, or 48-port Meraki switches.
Next, users should consider power needs. They should determine the total power that poE devices require. Then, they can choose between Meraki switch models. Each model has a different PoE budget.
Customers should also consider switch layering. If they need basic connectivity, they can choose layer 2 Meraki switches. However, they should opt for layer 3 switches for advanced features like routing between VLANs.
Evaluating the environment where the switches will be installed is essential. Users can choose indoor-only switches or models that can be deployed in rugged outdoor conditions. Furthermore, consider space in the network closet or server room. Look at form factor switches. They can be placed in racks or used as standalone desktop devices.
Finally, think about the management style. Some switch models offer cloud-based management in addition to traditional configurations. Others provide only cloud-based management. Users who prefer hands-on management should select switches with acceptable management interfaces.
Q1: How many watts can Cisco Meraki PoE switches supply?
A1: Cisco Meraki has various PoE switch models. The power their ports can supply varies according to the switch model. Individual power wattage also varies between a PoE, PoE+, and PoE++ port. For example, a 16-port Meraki MS250-24P can supply 15.4W per port, while the 48-port version can supply up to 60W per port.
Q2: Are Meraki switches fully managed?
A2: Yes, Meraki switches are fully managed. They offer administrators an array of tools for monitoring and configuring the network extensively. These tools can be accessed through the cloud-based Cisco Meraki dashboard.
Q3: Can I use a Cisco switch with non-Cisco PoE devices?
A3: Yes, one can use a Cisco switch with non-Cisco PoE devices. Meraki PoE switches comply with the IEEE PoE/Wi-Fi standard. These are often used with devices from other network equipment manufacturers. As long as the non-Cisco device adheres to the IEEE standard, it will work with the switch.
Q4: What is the difference between a power over Ethernet switch and a power over Ethernet injector?
A4: A PoE switch has multiple network ports that can transmit data and power over an Ethernet cable. PoE injectors, however, are single-port devices that can add PoE capability to a non-PoE device. They are often called power over Ethernet adapters, dongles, or inserters.
