[OT] Any experience with Cisco Meraki switches?

[Arun Khan]

I am considering buying a Cisco Meraki switch (MS225-24P-HW*) on eBay for my HomeLab use.

My understanding is that these devices need an annual subscription (ransomware) to manage them via a Cisco Cloudbase dashboard.

(They don't have a serial console unlike most network devices)

In case you have worked with Meraki switches, please share your experience (include model #s) and what kind of configuration is possible with the "local" UI.

* PoE on all ports!

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Arun Khan

[mscott pyewacket.org]

We use them at all of our remote sites for the very reason you say is a downside.

Our infrastructure folks handle all of the configuration remotely and I just rack them and provide the serial number.

They register with the cloud and off they go. Ours have an RJ-45 labelled management, but not sure what it is capable of as I have never used it.

The PoE is awesome and even strong enough to power PTZ dome cameras that choked the old Catalyst switches and let me eliminate a PoE midspan.

Sorry I can't give you any more to go on than that.

- Mike Scott

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From: luni-c...@googlegroups.com <luni-c...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Arun Khan <knu...@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2025 2:17 PM
To: LUNI <luni-c...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [LUNI] [OT] Any experience with Cisco Meraki switches?

 

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[Arun Khan]

Thanks for your reply.  My use case is exactly the opposite of yours; I want to configure the ports per my VLAN and port bonding needs and be done.

I don't need to access the device from the cloud and pay for an annual subscription (ransomware) for just one device.

I have found some doc, showing a "local" access is available.  I'll research it further for the specific model on sale at eBay.

--Arun Khan

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Arun Khan

[Arun Khan]

UPDATE

This applies to the specific model MS225-24P-HW I purchased.

After reading through Cisco docs and reddit forums, I decided to take
the leap of faith and decided to buy one (eBay $40 + tax)
I hoped it would work as a 24 port Gbps PoE+ switch even in "crippled"
mode i.e. w/o a Meraki Cloud Dashboard license.

The model has an Ethernet "Management" port on the rear panel.
After a bit of investigation with nmap, and ip (a/r), I was able to
figure out its IP settings, login into its local Web dashboard and do
basic admin stuff, e.g. group ports to specific VLANs

I noticed that the device must be able to reach the Internet and find
its way "home" through your internet gateway; it seems to work w/o a
Meraki Cloud Dashboard lic. (I don't have one)

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Arun Khan