The Cisco Meraki MS switching platform offers more than just connectivity and segmentation; it also provides advanced visualization and intelligence features that differentiate it from traditional switches. Here are some key points that further highlight the differentiation of Meraki switches in terms of network performance and security:
• Cloud-based architecture: Meraki’s cloud-managed switches are controlled through the cloud-based Meraki Dashboard. This architecture offers the benefits of over-the-air management and visibility, providing simplified deployment, easy scalability, and remote management capabilities. For example, the ability to create templates and apply standard configurations across multiple switches or sites is a key feature of Meraki’s network management system. This feature simplifies the task of managing large and distributed networks by ensuring consistency in configurations, thus reducing the likelihood of configuration errors that can lead to network issues.
• Seamless integration: Meraki MS switches support Cisco Security Group Tags (SGTs) as part of the Cisco TrustSec technology, enabling micro-segmentation implementation. SGTs provide a granular level of control over communication between different segments within a network. Meraki switches also integrate seamlessly with other Meraki devices, such as MR access points (SecurePort), MX security appliances, and endpoints using Systems Manager Enterprise Mobility Management, creating a unified network ecosystem. This integration allows for deeper visibility and coordination between network components, enhancing performance and security.
• Centralized management: The Meraki Dashboard provides a centralized management interface that allows administrators to monitor and configure multiple switches across different locations from a single pane of glass. It provides real-time telemetry and visibility into network performance and security events, making identifying and resolving issues easier.
The Dashboard provides the capability to select switch ports across multiple physical switches based on various criteria such as functionality, connected device, or tags with the Virtual Stacking feature, shown in Figure 7-1. This allows administrators to make bulk configuration changes to specific groups of switch ports, streamlining the management process and saving time.
Figure 7-1 Filtering Switch Ports to Just Those Reporting LLDP Data for Connected MR Access Points
• Network telemetry: The Meraki platform collects a wide range of network telemetry data from the end-to-end network stack. It stores this information securely in a separate data lake for each tenant, ensuring the privacy and integrity of the data. The platform applies advanced data science techniques, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), to analyze this telemetry data. These techniques can identify patterns and correlations that might be missed with traditional analysis methods. The outcome of this AI/ML analysis includes the generation of network alerts, which can proactively notify network administrators about potential issues before they impact network performance or user experience. This can drastically decrease downtime and improve overall network reliability.
Additionally, the AI/ML analysis also aids in identifying the root cause (RCA) across the platform. When a network issue arises, determining the exact cause can be a complex task due to the intricate interdependencies between various network components. By using AI/ML, the Meraki platform can accurately pinpoint the root cause of issues, making it easier for network administrators to resolve them quickly and efficiently. These outcomes can be used to automate tasks, optimize network performance, and enhance security. By analyzing the data, network administrators can identify patterns, detect anomalies, and make informed decisions to improve network operations.
• Topology View: The Topology View in the Meraki Dashboard is a tool that provides a real-time, up-to-date visual representation of the network infrastructure. It includes all Meraki products, such as MS switches, MR access points, MX security appliances, MV cameras, MT sensors, and other Cisco devices. This real-time view allows administrators to quickly and easily understand network device connectivity, operational status, and relationships. As a result, it enables any IT team to manage an enterprise network more efficiently and effectively through automation, leading to better network performance and easier troubleshooting. Figures 7-2 and 7-3 show how the Topology View provides visibility into the end-to-end full stack Layer 2 network topology and Layer 3 network topology, respectively. Figure 7-4 shows how the Dashboard even provides insight into the status of unmanaged connected devices.