Cisco Meraki MS Series Comparison Guide

Cisco Meraki Switching And Routing

MS Series Overview

The Cisco Meraki MS series switches are designed to deliver enterprise-class performance with simplicity and ease of management. These cloud-managed switches eliminate the complexity and time-consuming nature of traditional switch management by providing an intuitive and centralized dashboard. This approach enables network administrators to spend more time focusing on strategic business needs rather than on tedious configuration tasks.

Meraki MS series switches offer a wide range of models suitable for various deployment scenarios, from compact switches for small offices to high-capacity switches for large campus networks. They integrate seamlessly with other Meraki products, providing unified policies, event logs, and comprehensive monitoring capabilities. The true zero-touch configuration and centralized management significantly reduce operational costs and enhance the scalability of network deployments.

MS Capabilities

Centralized Cloud Management

Meraki MS switches are managed through a single, cloud-based dashboard that offers comprehensive visibility and control over the entire network. This centralized interface simplifies tasks such as configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting, enabling administrators to manage multiple sites with ease.

Rapid Deployment and Scalability

The MS series supports zero-touch deployment, allowing switches to be set up quickly without the need for complex configuration scripts. This plug-and-play capability ensures that switches are operational within minutes, making it ideal for large-scale or distributed deployments.

High-Performance Hardware

Meraki switches feature robust hardware with options for fixed and modular uplinks, including 1 GbE, 10 GbE, and 40 GbE ports. They support wire-speed, non-blocking switch fabric, and advanced QoS capabilities, ensuring high performance for voice, video, and data applications.

Energy Efficiency and Low Acoustics

The MS series is designed with energy efficiency in mind, featuring low acoustics and fanless models for quiet operation. This makes theMSuitable for deployment in office environments, classrooms, and other noise-sensitive areas.

Advanced Security Features

Security is a top priority with Meraki MS switches. They include features such as IEEE 802.1x for port-based network access control, MAC-based RADIUS authentication, DHCP snooping, and comprehensive security reporting. These capabilities help protect the network from unauthorized access and malicious activities.

Intelligent Network Management

Meraki MS switches offer built-in monitoring, troubleshooting, and logging tools. Intelligent anomaly detection flags potential issues, while tools like remote cable testing and packet captures help quickly isolate and resolve network problems. The dynamic network topology feature provides a clear view of how devices are interconnected.

Flexible Stacking and Power Management

The MS series supports flexible stacking options, including physical and virtual stacking. Stack power pools power from each PSU in a switch stack, providing redundancy and efficient PoE management. This feature ensures higher availability and better performance in enterprise deployments.

Layer 7 Application Visibility

Meraki switches are unique in their ability to provide layer 7 application visibility. This allows administrators to identify and manage applications running on the network, optimizing resources and ensuring high performance.

Seamless Integration with Meraki Ecosystem

MS switches are part of the broader Meraki ecosystem, ensuring consistent operation and management across all Meraki products. They automatically connect to the Meraki cloud for configuration updates, firmware upgrades, and new feature rollouts, ensuring the network is always up-to-date.

Cisco Meraki MS Series Models Comparison

Meraki Access Switching Models

SpecificationMS120-8MS120MS125
UsageCompactSmall branch and officeSmall branch and office
Interface8x 1 GbE RJ4524/48x 1 GbE RJ4524/48x 1 GbE RJ45
Uplinks2x 1 GbE SFP Fixed4x 1 GbE SFP Fixed4x 10 GbE SFP Fixed
PoE capabilities67W (LP model) 124W (FP model)370W (P, LP models) 740W (FP model)370W (P, LP models) 740W (FP model)
Power configurationExternal PSU (non-PoE, LP model) Internal (FP model)InternalInternal
Stacking capabilitiesVirtual onlyVirtual onlyVirtual only
Routing capabilitiesDHCP relayDHCP relayDHCP relay
ModelsMS120-8-HW, MS120-8LP-HW, MS120-8FP-HWMS120-24-HW, MS120-24P-HW, MS120-48-HW, MS120-48LP-HW, MS120-48FP-HWMS125-24-HW, MS125-24P-HW, MS125-48-HW, MS125-48LP-HW, MS125-48FP-HW

Meraki Access Switching Models (MS130)

SpecificationMS130 compactMS130MS130R
UsageCompactBranch and campusRuggedized (hot/cold/tight environments)
Interface8/12x 1 GbE RJ45, 6/8x 1 GbE + 2/4x 2.5 GbE RJ45 (in select models)24/48x 1 GbE RJ45, 18/40x 1 GbE + 6/8x 2.5 GbE RJ45 (in select models)8x 1 GbE RJ45
Uplinks2x 1 GbE SFP, 2x 10 GbE SFP+ (in select models) Fixed4x 1 GbE SFP, 4x 10 GbE SFP+ (in select models) Fixed2x 1 GbE SFP
PoE capabilities120 W, 240 W (MS130-12X only)370 W, 740 W (MS130-48P/X only)Up to 240 W
Power configurationInternal (MS130-8P-I only) ExternalInternalExternal
Stacking capabilitiesVirtual onlyVirtual onlyVirtual only
Routing capabilitiesDHCP relayDHCP relayDHCP relay
Advanced capabilitiesAdaptive Policy SegmentationAdaptive Policy SegmentationAdaptive Policy Segmentation
ModelsMS130-8-HW, MS130-8P-HW, MS130-8P-I-HW, MS130-8X-HW, MS130-12X-HWMS130-24-HW, MS130-24P-HW, MS130-24X-HW, MS130-48-HW, MS130-48P-HW, MS130-48X-HWMS130R-8P-HW

Meraki Stackable Access Switching Models

SpecificationMS210MS225MS250MS350MS355MS390
UsageBranch and small campusBranch and small campusBranch and campusCampus and multigigabitBranch and small campusHigh-performance campus and branch
Interface24/48x 1 GbE RJ4524/48x 1 GbE RJ4524/48x 1 GbE RJ4524/48x 1 GbE RJ451, 8x mGig RJ45 (24 port only)24/48x 1 GbE RJ45, 8x mGig RJ45 (24 port only)24/48x 1 GbE RJ45 24/48x mGig RJ45 (in select models)
Uplinks4x 1 GbE SFP Fixed4x 10 GbE SFP+ Fixed4x 10 GbE SFP+ Fixed4x 10 GbE SFP+ Fixed2x 40G QSFP+, Fixed4/8x 10GbE SFP+ 2x 40GbE QSFP+ Modular
PoE capabilities370W (P, LP models) 740W (FP models)370W (P, LP models) 740W (FP models)370W (P, LP models) 740W (FP models)370W (P, LP models) 740W (24 port, FP models)740W (24 port, X2 models) 740W (48 port, X2 models)830W (24 port models) 822W (48 port models)
Power configurationInternal Optional RPSInternal Optional RPSModular Redundant PSU optionalModular Redundant PSU optionalRemovable PSURemovable PSU Modular 80 Plus Platinum PSU
Stacking capabilitiesCompatible with MS225 80G physical + virtualCompatible with MS210 80G physical + virtual80G physical + virtual160G physical + virtual400G physical + virtualCompatible only with MS390 480G physical + virtual
Routing capabilitiesStatic only DHCP relayStatic only DHCP relayStatic + dynamic1 DHCP server + relay WarMSpare (VRRP)Static + dynamic2 DHCP server + relay WarMSpare (VRRP)Static + dynamic DHCP server + relayStatic + dynamic DHCP server + relay
ModelsMS210-24-HW MS210-24P-HW MS210-48-HW MS210-48LP-HW MS210-48FP-HWMS225-24-HW MS225-24P-HW MS225-48-HW MS225-48LP-HW MS225-48FP-HWMS250-24-HW MS250-24P-HW MS250-48-HW MS250-48LP-HW MS250-48FP-HWMS350-24-HW MS350-24P-HW MS350-24X-HW MS350-48-HW MS350-48LP-HW MS350-48FP-HWMS355-24X-HW MS355-24X2-HW MS355-48X-HW MS355-48X2-HWMS390-24-HW MS390-24P-HW MS390-24U-HW MS390-24UX-HW MS390-48-HW MS390-48P-HW MS390-48U-HW MS390-48UX-HW MS390-48UX2-HW

Meraki Aggregation Switching Models

SpecificationMS410MS425MS450
Usage1G fiber aggregation10G fiber aggregation1G fiber aggregation
Interface16/32x GbE SFP16/32x 10 GbE SFP+12x 40 GbE QSFP+
Uplinks2x 10GbE SFP+ (MS410-16), 4x 10GbE SFP+ (MS410-32)2x 40 GbE QSFP+2x 100 GbE QSFP28
Power configurationModular Redundant PSU optional (sold separately)Modular Redundant PSU optional (sold separately)Modular Redundant PSU optional (sold separately)
Stacking capabilities160G physical + virtualFront-port 160G + virtualFront-port 160G + virtual
Routing capabilitiesStatic + dynamic DHCP server + relay WarMSpare (VRRP)Static + dynamic DHCP server + relay WarMSpare (VRRP)Static + dynamic DHCP server + relay WarMSpare (VRRP)
ModelsMS410-16-HW MS410-32-HWMS425-16-HW MS425-32-HWMS450-12-HW

FAQ

What model do I need based on my deployment size?

  • Compact: MS120-8 – Ideal for small offices or home offices where space and power efficiency are crucial.
  • Small Office or Branch: MS120 and MS125 – Suitable for small to medium-sized offices or branch locations requiring robust performance.
  • Branch or Small Campus: MS210 and MS225 – Designed for branch offices or small campuses that need advanced features and scalability.
  • Branch or Campus: MS250 – Perfect for larger branch offices or campus environments needing higher performance and additional features.
  • Campus and Multigigabit: MS350 – Ideal for large campuses requiring multigigabit speeds and extensive feature sets.
  • High-Speed Fiber Aggregation: MS410 and MS425 – Best for high-speed fiber aggregation needs in large enterprise deployments.
I manage data for a school district in the suburbs. What is the best switch for me?

Mid-tier switches like the MS220 and MS225 series are well-suited for managing data in small campuses and school districts. They offer the right balance of performance and scalability to handle the needs of educational environments.

For large corporations with high-demand functions, enterprise-grade switches such as the MS410 and MS425 families are ideal. They provide robust performance, high-speed connectivity, and advanced features necessary for managing extensive global networks.

For small, low-demand operations like a family-owned restaurant, lower-tier switches such as the MS120 and MS125 options are suitable. They offer the necessary performance and ease of management to support digital operations efficiently.

The MS210, MS225, MS250, MS350, MS410, and MS425 series support physical stacking. This feature allows for seamless scalability and improved performance in larger network deployments.

Compact switches are small, efficient, and fanless, making them ideal for single-use deployments like home offices. They connect to an external power supply unless upgraded to the MS120-8 FP model, which offers additional features and flexibility.

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