Cisco Meraki, Cisco Networking
The Pros and Cons of Cisco Meraki Network Devices
Aug
Enterprise networks form the backbone of modern business operations, and wireless connectivity is no longer optional. As an IT manager, you understand the importance of researching your options carefully to ensure cost-effective, reliable infrastructure. At Link US Online, we’ve seen how a strong wireless solution can enhance business performance and conversely, how the wrong system can lead to operational inefficiencies. For many of our clients, Cisco Meraki Network Devices offer a practical, cloud-managed solution that delivers both simplicity and performance.
While these devices are known for their ease of use and strong feature set, they are not without limitations. Below, we provide a balanced overview of the strengths and weaknesses of Meraki wireless solutions to help you make a well-informed decision for your organization.
Table of Contents
Meraki Wireless Access Points: Advantages and Limitations
Key Benefits of Meraki Wireless Solutions
- Built-in guest wireless capabilities
- Effective control and security tools
- Intelligent band steering
Meraki access points appeal to many businesses due to their intuitive cloud management and user-friendly interface.
Guest Wireless Features
Cisco Meraki access points provide a complete suite of tools to manage guest access. The branded splash page allows administrators to create specific pages in which guest users must agree to terms of service before they can connect, all without the use of third-party software. Furthermore, access point availability can be timed for operating hours or the businesses requirements adding to increased security as well controlling bandwidth.
Administrative Control Functions
Yes the control interface at Meraki is simplified and yes it lacks a lot of advanced features, but on the flip side you get some basic tools that give some meaningful insight. This means, for example, you can have access points that work totally apart from each other to better segment your network and protect sensitive production networks. Administrators can also limit access to apps or websites like social media or streaming services to keep productivity at work. Additional controls include:
- Bandwidth limitations on a per-user basis
- Wireless health monitoring
- PCI compliance reporting
- Rogue access point detection via Air Marshal
Dual-Band Functionality and Band Steering
Cisco Meraki Network Devices are equipped with dual-band radios, enabling them to operate on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. Administrators may disable the 2.4 GHz band if desired. Otherwise, Meraki’s intelligent band steering automatically guides compatible devices to the less congested 5 GHz band, helping to balance traffic and improve overall performance.
Challenges and Considerations
Despite their strengths, Cisco Meraki access points come with a few operational constraints that may not align with every organization’s needs:
- Dependence on consistent internet connectivity
- Mandatory license renewals
- Lack of command-line interface
Internet Dependency
Meraki access points rely heavily on cloud connectivity to function as intended. While local authentication processes may continue during outages, cloud-based management features and network policies are temporarily unavailable when the internet connection is lost. This limitation may affect operations in locations with inconsistent connectivity.
Required License Renewals
The most commonly misunderstood aspect of Cisco Meraki devices is the licensing model they operate under. A license is needed for the functions to continue working, and if one expires then that device will stop working. Licenses are nothing to sniff at either, as they provide that much-needed access to cloud-based dashboards and technical support, along with next-business-day hardware replacement; so a recurring license is a cost that businesses will want to budget for over the course of several years’ time.
No Command-Line Access
Since Meraki is cloud-based, the product does away with that old command-line interface found in so many other networking solutions. Though this simplified experience works well for most users, it does lock out in-depth configuration hardening and troubleshooting. Things like firmware rollbacks are also not an option, as software issues must be worked to resolution by Meraki support and development.
Are Cisco Meraki Network Devices Worth A Look For Your Business?
Meraki wireless access points are a great solution for many organizations. Their centralized cloud management also makes them a good fit for businesses looking to implement cordless infrastructure without having to deal with the complexity of traditional systems.
Yet for the types of companies that need to own all their networking equipment, or those whose locations frequently lose internet connection, these limits could overshadow the benefits. If your IT team is using CLI-based configurations or prefers to not be tied to a subscription model, other solutions may be better suited.
Link US Online is a nationwide networking hardware provider that helps companies in the US select and obtain their exact networking equipment. For technical questions or customization advice, contact our researchers in Research Triangle Park, NC at (919)825‑0900.
Getting Started With Meraki Network Monitoring In Charlotte
- Procure Hardware And Licenses
Link US Online helps Charlotte organizations source certified Meraki access points, switches, and MX security appliances. We ensure you get the right licensing term (e.g., Enterprise or Advanced Security). - Set Up Dashboard And Add Devices
Create a Meraki cloud account and register devices using serial numbers. Link US Online can assist with registration and network hierarchy setup. - Configure Templates And Policies
Use templates to define SSIDs, VLAN mappings, security rules, guest access parameters, and bandwidth limits. Apply them across your Charlotte deployment. - Enable Alerts And Define Thresholds
Configure real‑time notifications for outages, usage thresholds, or firmware availability. Alerts can be delivered via email or mobile push. - Review Monitoring Dashboards Regularly
Check device health, traffic analysis, and alert logs. Adjust policies based on user behavior or performance trends. - Scale As Needed And Audit Periodically
As your Charlotte-area infrastructure grows, add devices to the Dashboard. Conduct periodic audits to verify configuration consistency and update policies for evolving needs.
Final Thoughts
Cisco Meraki Network Devices provide both easy-to-use cloud management with intelligent features like guest wireless access and control over traffic. This is a compelling choice of organizations which want ease, scalability and centralized visibility.
On the other hand, these benefits are a consequence of certain tradeoffs The downside of Meraki’s dependence on the internet for everything, the annual license costs that keep accumulating as long as you want to use them, and the lack of pretty much anything resembling a CLI should be carefully weighed by those organizations. Meraki is a smart, resilient choice for companies looking to keep things simple in an operations-driven way and who are not afraid of the subscription nature of those services.
For help with your next wireless upgrade or if you are considering Cisco Meraki for the first time, Link Us Online is adept at guiding customers through the entire selection process to ensure you are leveraging all of the licensing offerings available as well as offering competitive pricing for all hardware solutions. Call us at (919)825-0900 or browse our application store to view a complete list of networking hardware by top manufacturers.
