As businesses grow, the need for robust, scalable, and secure networking solutions has never been greater. The Cisco Meraki MX series offers cloud-managed security appliances that meet the needs of organizations with distributed offices, remote branches, and complex multi-site networks. Among the notable models in this series are the Meraki MX85, MX95, and MX105, each designed to cater to different networking needs.
In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between Meraki MX85 vs. MX95 and MX105, helping you understand which one best fits your organization’s requirements. Whether you’re running a mid-sized business or managing a large enterprise, choosing the right device is critical for ensuring optimal network performance and security.
What Is the Meraki MX Series?
The Cisco Meraki MX series is a line of cloud-managed security appliances that provide Unified Threat Management (UTM), combining advanced security, SD-WAN capabilities, and remote management into a single device. These appliances are designed for organizations seeking seamless, centralized control over their network infrastructure. With features like VPN throughput, content filtering, automatic firmware upgrades, and intrusion detection systems, the Meraki MX series simplifies the process of securing and managing networks across multiple locations.
At the core of the Meraki MX series is its cloud management system, the Meraki Dashboard, which allows network administrators to monitor and configure devices from anywhere. This enables true zero-touch provisioning, making it easier to deploy devices across various sites with minimal pre-configuration. Whether you’re managing a small office, branch environments, or a large enterprise, the Meraki MX series offers advanced security throughputs, protecting against a wide range of cyber threats.
The Meraki MX series is widely adopted in distributed enterprises, remote branches, multi-cloud environments, and private cloud environments. It is also suitable for various industries, including retail, healthcare, finance, and education, where enterprise security appliances are needed to protect sensitive data and ensure secure connectivity.
Meraki MX85 – Mid-Tier Security and Performance
Hardware Overview
The Meraki MX85 is positioned as a mid-tier security appliance, offering a balanced combination of performance and affordability. It features multiple WAN/LAN ports and supports VPN throughput of up to 1 Gbps. With its compact design, the MX85 is ideal for businesses with moderate networking needs.
Performance
The MX85 delivers 1 Gbps of throughput, making it suitable for mid-sized branches and remote offices that require secure connectivity but don’t have extremely high data demands. Its Layer 7 firewall ensures comprehensive protection against network threats, while SD-WAN and Auto VPN capabilities streamline the process of connecting multiple sites.
Key Features
- SD-WAN and Auto VPN for seamless, secure site-to-site connectivity.
- Layer 7 firewall for enhanced security and content filtering.
- Content filtering and intrusion detection that protect against unauthorized access.
- Cloud management through the Meraki Dashboard, offering centralized management.
Target Audience
The MX85 is ideal for mid-sized businesses and branch environments seeking a cost-effective solution with secure, reliable connectivity. It strikes a balance between performance and security, making it a great choice for organizations that require strong protection without the need for enterprise-level throughput.
Meraki MX95 – Enhanced Power for Growing Networks
Hardware Overview
The Meraki MX95 steps up in terms of performance, featuring 4 Gbps throughput, making it well-suited for growing networks with more demanding data traffic. With its SFP+ ports, it offers increased flexibility for connecting to various types of networks.
Performance Boost
The MX95’s higher performance allows it to handle increased data traffic and a greater number of concurrent users. This makes it ideal for medium to large branches that experience higher bandwidth usage. The enhanced SD-WAN performance ensures that traffic between multiple locations is routed optimally, reducing latency and improving overall network performance.
Advanced Security Features
The MX95 offers a suite of advanced security capabilities, including:
- Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) to detect and block malware.
- Intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS) are used to detect and mitigate potential threats.
- Content filtering to prevent inappropriate or harmful content from being accessed by users.
Target Audience
The MX95 best suits businesses with growing bandwidth needs and higher traffic loads. It is particularly well-suited for medium to large branches that need a more robust solution to handle increased data demands but without the full enterprise-grade features of the MX105.
Meraki MX105 – Enterprise-Level Security and Capacity
Hardware Overview
At the top of the range is the Meraki MX105, an enterprise-grade security appliance designed for large-scale networks. With 7 Gbps throughput, the MX105 is ideal for organizations that require the highest level of performance and security.
High-Performance Networking
The MX105 can handle heavy traffic loads and is designed for large offices, data centers, and multi-site organizations. It offers advanced load balancing and failover capabilities, ensuring that critical applications remain available even during network disruptions.
Enterprise-Grade Security Features
Security is paramount in the MX105, which offers the most advanced security features in the Meraki MX lineup:
- Layer 3 and Layer 7 firewall to protect against a variety of network threats.
- Auto VPN for secure site-to-site connectivity across multiple locations.
- Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) and intrusion prevention systems for real-time threat detection and mitigation.
Target Audience
The MX105 is designed for large enterprises, data centers, and organizations with complex, high-performance networking requirements. It’s the best choice for companies that need to secure a large number of users and devices while maintaining high security and throughput.
Meraki MX85 vs. MX95, and MX105 – Key Differences
Throughput Comparison
- Meraki MX85: 1 Gbps throughput, suitable for mid-sized branches or small offices with moderate traffic.
- Meraki MX95: 4 Gbps throughput, ideal for growing businesses with higher bandwidth needs.
- Meraki MX105: 7 Gbps throughput, designed for large enterprises and data centers handling heavy traffic.
User Capacity
The MX85 can support a moderate number of concurrent users, while the MX95 is built to handle more users and devices with increased traffic. The MX105 is optimized for environments with high user density, such as large offices and multi-site deployments.
Port Configuration and Hardware
The MX95 and MX105 feature SFP+ ports for greater flexibility in connecting different network types. The MX105 also has more ports overall, allowing it to support more complex network configurations.
SD-WAN and VPN Performance
While all three models support SD-WAN and Auto VPN, the MX95 and MX105 provide better performance for organizations with multi-site networks or remote client VPN needs. The MX105 is particularly suited for enterprise environments where VPN throughput is critical.
Pricing and CPR
Cost Overview
- Meraki MX85: Generally priced lower, making it a cost-effective solution for mid-sized businesses.
- Meraki MX95: Mid-range pricing, offering more performance and security features than the MX85.
- Meraki MX105: The most expensive of the three, but its high throughput and advanced features make it a worthwhile investment for large enterprises.
Cost-to-Performance Ratio
When considering Meraki MX85 vs. MX95 vs MX105, businesses should weigh the cost-to-performance ratio. The MX85 offers solid performance at a lower cost, while the MX95 provides better scalability and features for a higher price. The MX105, though more expensive, delivers exceptional performance for organizations with mission-critical environments.
Recommendations Based on Budget
- Budget-Conscious Businesses: The MX85 is a good entry point for businesses that need reliable, secure connectivity at an affordable price.
- Growing Enterprises: The MX95 offers a balance of performance and cost for businesses that need more bandwidth and security features.
- Large Enterprises: The MX105 is the best option for those who require top-tier performance and scalability.
How to Choose the Right Meraki MX Model for Your Business
Business Size and Network Complexity
For small to mid-sized businesses, the MX85 offers an affordable, scalable solution. However, as your business grows, you may need the additional performance and security features of the MX95 or MX105.
Bandwidth and Performance Needs
If your organization experiences high network traffic, you’ll want to opt for a model with higher VPN throughput. The MX95 and MX105 are ideal for businesses with multiple sites or heavy data usage.
Security Considerations
Security should be a top priority for any business. If your network deals with sensitive data, the advanced security features of the MX95 and MX105, including Cisco AMP and intrusion detection, will provide the necessary protection.
Future Growth and Scalability
It’s crucial to consider future growth. The MX105 offers the most scalability for large enterprises, while the MX95 is perfect for businesses in a growth phase that anticipate increased data usage and user numbers.
Conclusion
The Meraki MX85, MX95, and MX105 each offer unique benefits based on your organization’s size, bandwidth needs, and security requirements.
When evaluating the Meraki MX85 vs. MX95, it’s essential to consider the performance needs of your network. The MX85, with its 1 Gbps throughput, is ideal for mid-sized businesses that require secure, reliable connectivity. On the other hand, the MX95, offering 4 Gbps throughput, is better suited for growing organizations with higher bandwidth demands and more concurrent users. The right choice is crucial for businesses planning future scalability, as the Meraki MX85 vs. MX95 decision will impact your network’s capacity to handle increased traffic over time. The MX85, while more affordable, is tailored to mid-sized environments, providing a solid balance of cost and capability.
In the Meraki MX85 vs. MX105 comparison, the MX105 stands out with its 7 Gbps throughput, making it the go-to solution for large enterprises and data centers that need top-tier performance and robust security features.
Choosing the right model depends on your current and future needs, and Stratus Informational Systems is here to help you make an informed decision. Contact us to ensure your business has the best Meraki solution for your environment.
