Tag: cisco meraki

Wifi 6 Technology & The Best Access Points To Recommend

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On March 26, 2021

Wifi 6 Technology & The Best Access Points To Recommend

aruba cisco meraki fortiap fortinet meraki ruckus ruckus unleashed ruckus wireless wifi wireless wireless access points wireless network

What Is Wifi 6

Wifi 6 refers to the latest generation of wireless technology, also known as 802.11ax. Another name for this new standard is High Efficiency Wifi. It replaces 802.11ac, which now goes by Wifi 5. Wireless access points and routers incorporating the technology are increasingly ubiquitous. And many new smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other connected devices are Wifi 6-certified to take full advantage of its performance capabilities.

How Is Wifi 6 Different Than Wifi 5

Wifi 6 offers several advantages over Wifi 5 when it comes to speed, performance, and even security. First, speed – often referred to as throughput – can max out around 10 Gbps for a Wifi 6 device, compared to 7 Gbps for Wifi 5. While that’s an obvious upgrade, performance accounts for a significantly greater boost – some 400% in what’s called throughput per area.

What does that mean? It means more devices can connect in high-density areas with low to no latency. In other words, it’s real-world speed. Finally, security is better, too, as Wifi 6 supports WPA3 encryption standards, the most secure version of Wifi Protected Access protocol.

Why Upgrade to Wifi 6

While manufacturers seem to release new access points and routers constantly, an upgrade from a prior generation model to Wifi 6 is worth strong consideration. Wifi 6 supports more connected devices at greater speeds with better security than its predecessors. And the differences are significant. To recap:

Top speed more than a third better than the previous best
Throughput per area is 4 times better
And latency is 75% lower

These all represent major leaps in performance, and along with security improvements, make a strong argument for upgrading.

Which Brands Already Carry Wifi 6 Access Points

Several brands now offer Wifi 6 access points, with more on the way. Firewalls.com carries Wifi 6 access points from Fortinet, Aruba, Ruckus, and Cisco Meraki. Models range from small business/small office options to large enterprise and even stadiums and arenas. This generation of access points comes with indoor and outdoor options as well.

What Are The Recommended Wifi 6 Access Point Models

With the growing number of Wifi 6 access points now on the market, finding the right fit for a given scenario can be a challenge. So to meet that challenge and sift through the clutter, here are a few recommended Wifi 6 access points to suit varying business needs.

For Easy Deployment

Aruba Instant On AP22

It doesn’t get much easier than instant, does it? The Aruba Instant On AP22 offers a quick way into the Wifi 6 world. As its name suggests, you can basically turn it on and have wireless ready to go. This is ideal for a small business with limited staff or small branch office scenario.

And while the ease of deployment is nice, the AP22 also comes packed full of features at an affordable price. It includes mounting hardware, simple management tools, and even built-in security features like firewalling and application control, with no need for external controllers.

Tech Specs

Deployment: Indoor
Performance: 2×2:2 MU-MIMO
Mesh Support: Smart Mesh Wi-Fi
Throughput: 1.774 Gbps
PoE: PoE 802.3af

For Network Integration

Fortinet FortiAP 231F

Chances are if you’re a small to mid-size business, you already have a firewall. Maybe you even have a switch and endpoint, too. And if those solutions happen to be from one of the top security vendors out there, Fortinet, then this FortiAP 231F is a good pick for your entrée into Wifi 6.

The FortiAP 231F places you firmly into the Fortinet Security Fabric, which allows all your Fortinet solutions to communicate seamlessly with one another with single-pane-of-glass management. As far as what this access point offers specifically, it includes built-in security and a third radio for beacon and location-scanning. It can also optionally be managed through the cloud and is more than capable outside the Fortinet ecosystem as well.

Tech Specs

Deployment: Indoor
Performance: 2×2:2 MU-MIMO
Mesh Support: Yes
Throughput: 1.2 Gbps
PoE: PoE+ 802.3at

Look to the Cloud

Cisco Meraki MR44

Cisco Meraki is pretty well-known as a pioneer in the cloud space, and you can be a pioneer both there and in Wifi 6 by choosing the MR44 access point. The MR44 comes with Meraki’s noted cloud management architecture, which eliminates the need for traditional wireless controllers. It also offers zero-touch deployment, easy visibility and control throughout the network, and seamless firmware updates.

The MR44 itself is an enterprise grade access point, so if your performance demands are a little higher, it’s a great fit. As with other APs noted in this piece, Meraki’s MR Series features built-in security, plus a dedicated extra radio. And if you’re already a Meraki customer for other solutions, it integrates especially nicely.

Tech Specs

Deployment: Indoor
Performance: 4×4:4 MU-MIMO
Mesh Support: Self-healing, Zero-configuration
Throughput: 3 Gbps
PoE: PoE+ 802.3af/at

Let’s Take It Outside

Ruckus T750

Our previous three access points were designed for indoor deployments, but this AP from Ruckus doesn’t care where you set it up. The T750 offers the performance of Wifi 6 with IP-67 durability to withstand rough conditions, indoors or outdoors. When it comes to deployment options, think stadiums, airports, convention centers, and the like. Each individual T750 can handle over 1,000 users at once.

Ruckus offers the T750 in the controller-less Unleashed model as well as the traditional ZoneFlex option. Both are easy to deploy and manage. And they boast other special features, like built-in IoT radios, BeamFlex antennas to optimize connectivity, and the security of the aforementioned WPA3.

Tech Specs

Deployment: Outdoor
Performance: 4×4:4 MU-MIMO
Mesh Support: SmartMesh
Throughput: 2.4 Gbps
PoE: PoE++ 802.3bt

So these are just a few examples to help you navigate the wonderful world of Wifi 6. But wait, there’s more! Browse all the Wifi 6 options Firewalls.com has to offer. And if you need to talk it through a bit more, chat with an expert on our site or call 866-645-2140.

Cisco Meraki MX84 Review & Why It’s Ideal for Branch Office Security

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On March 3, 2021

cisco meraki firewall meraki mx firewalls

Cisco Meraki MX84 Review

The Cisco Meraki MX84 is, as the company would say, a security and SD-WAN appliance. In short, the MX84 is a firewall. And it’s a firewall meant for mid-sized businesses that need to easily and securely connect branches to HQ. We know IT professionals are hard to come by these days, so the simplicity of getting these appliances up and running is a major asset. On top of that, the MX84 boasts a variety of state-of-the-art features that make breaches anything but. Read on as we review the features and benefits of the Cisco Meraki MX84.

Is Cisco Meraki Any Good?

Cisco Meraki is a leading network security brand that gets high marks from independent third party evaluations – and customers – for its security and SD-WAN offerings. So what is it known for? Simplicity. Meraki embraced cloud computing before the cloud was cool. That is to say, easy, single-pane-of-glass management is kinda their thing.

So with Meraki, expect zero-touch (AKA remote) deployment of highly effective security solutions, all managed through the cloud. In other words, admins can adjust security settings of literally thousands of sites all at once, from anywhere. And don’t forget the connectivity! Auto VPN technology connects branch offices in just 3 clicks, through a simple, web-based dashboard.

What Businesses Would Be A Good Fit For the Meraki MX84?

Meraki recommends the MX84 for distributed deployments that require remote administration across medium branch environments. Industries like retail, restaurants, real estate, construction, or even healthcare, schools, and governments may apply.

To clarify, think of a business with multiple offices or project sites but limited IT staff. One or two admins can setup and manage a few – or a few dozen – of these appliances. They’ll offer network protection and secure connectivity without spending hours and miles on deployment. In sum, there are a lot of businesses and organizations that could benefit from the Meraki MX84. And FYI, Firewalls.com recommends the MX84 for deployments of up to 100 users.

What are some of the security features you’ll find?

Content Filtering
Web Search Filtering
YouTube for Schools
Intrusion Prevention
Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP)
Geo-based Firewall Rules
Active Directory Integration

Cisco Meraki MX84 Specs

Stateful Firewall Throughput: 500 Mbps

Max VPN Throughput: 250 Mbps

Advanced Security Throughput: 200 Mbps

Network Interface Ports: 2 dedicated WAN uplinks, 8 GbE RJ45, 2 SFP, 1 USB 2.0 (for 3G/4G failover)

Maximum Concurrent VPN Tunnels: 100

Management: Cloud-based Cisco Meraki Dashboard

View the Datasheet

Cisco Meraki MX84 Pricing & Availability

The Meraki MX84 retails for under $2,000 as a standalone appliance. As a reminder, all Cisco Meraki appliances require an active license to operate. Therefore, you can choose an Advanced Security License to get the full feature set listed above. Or pick an Enterprise license if you’re less concerned about those advanced features. Both come in 1, 3, 5, 7, & 10 year options. Visit our site or talk to an expert at 866-645-2140 to learn more.

3 Best Network Switches for Business 2020

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On November 5, 2020

cisco meraki fortinet fortiswitch MS Series network switch SonicWALL sonicwall switch switch

3 Best Network Switches for Business 2020

The best network switches make life easier for an IT team. Though network security can be maddeningly complicated, network switches ease the complexity. By connecting multiple devices across your network, switches allow secure data sharing over multiple appliances and endpoints.

Powerful centralized management lets administrators deep dive into network issues, deploy unified policies, and manage hundreds of sites through a single dashboard. Network switches are a bridge between devices, using MAC addresses to forward data through layer 2. In sum, they play a vital role in modern Local Area Network (LAN) deployments.

What is a Network Switch?

A secure network switch integrates all the devices on your network, allowing for seamless sharing and data transfer between them. This can include everything from firewalls and wireless access points to VoIP phones, printers, servers, and more. Further, these devices can be monitored and controlled through a centralized management platform, allowing admins to quickly and easily shift resources across the network to safeguard productivity for business-critical applications and services.

Network switches are integral parts of a complex network, providing a wired or virtual connection to desktop computers, IoT devices, and more. For starters, every switch includes a set number of Ethernet ports which support a varying number of connected devices. On top of that, you can “stack” switches in a series, allowing your business to scale up and connect larger numbers of devices and users to the LAN.

What to Look for in a Network Switch

Network switches can be complicated, but they are necessary for seamless end-to-end network security and performance. Before deciding which network switch is best for any business, consider a few questions:

How many users are operating on the network? This user count includes all Internet-connected devices
How will the switch receive power? Power-over-Ethernet options make certain switches more appealing for complex deployments
What is the business’ Internet speed and how much is used? Multi-gigabit switches will help in utilizing the full ISP speeds

For more considerations to take into account, check out Buying a Network Switch: 5 Things to Consider.

Top 3 Network Switches in 2020

Cisco Meraki MS Series

Key Features:

Superior network transparency with granular visibility at the app & hostname level
Zero-touch provisioning allows for rapid deployment across the network
Packet capture & other remote diagnostic tools help troubleshoot network errors

What Makes Cisco Meraki MS Series Switches One of the Best Network Switches in 2020?

Cisco Meraki MS Switches are purpose-built for intuitive management and ease-of-use. Cisco Meraki network switches do not require a Command-Line Interface to manage ports or change configurations. As a result, network administrators get access to a centralized management platform with granular visibility and control by just plugging it in. On top of that, a simple dashboard helps admins sort through information and track events with a detailed change and event log.

Cisco Meraki switches allow “virtual stacking.” In other words, switch port configuration changes can be made on the dashboard without the need to install and deploy additional on-premise switches. Therefore, you can start on-prem, then build up into the cloud!

Fortinet FortiSwitch

Key Features:

Centralized access management from FortiGate firewall interface
Stack up to 300 switches per FortiGate
Great for converged environments with VoIP, data, & wireless traffic on a single network

What Makes FortiSwitch One of the Best Network Switches in 2020?

FortiSwitch secure access network switches integrate into Fortinet’s wider Security Fabric. That is to say, it ties together all Fortinet-family products on your network into a real-time threat response system managed directly through a FortiGate firewall. As a result, the single-pane-of-glass dashboard provides control over users and devices regardless of how they’re connected to your network.

Fortinet network switches support wire-speed switching protocols in addition to Store & Forward mode. On top of that, the FortiSwitch appliance is ideal for a SD-Branch deployment, further enabling businesses of any size to enjoy the benefits of digital transformation.

SonicWall Switch (SWS)

Key Features:

Easy-to-manage network segmentation & compliance auditing
Ability to roll out devices across the network quickly & securely
Prioritize network traffic for superb Quality of Service for business-critical apps

What Makes SonicWall Switch One of the Best Network Switches in 2020?

When paired with a firewall, SonicWall Switches deliver end-to-end security that simplifies management and network troubleshooting. This tightly-knit security posture eliminates blind spots and gaps. In turn, it helps network administrators locate and eliminate weak points in their security infrastructure.

SonicWall Switches are flexible, high-performance networking appliances that provide high port density and Power-over-Ethernet capabilities. Additionally, they offer multi-gigabit performance at prices affordable even for small businesses.

But wait, there’s more…

Looking for the best protection for your small business?

Give us a call at 866-957-2975 to find the perfect fit!

Shopping for email security, endpoint, wireless access, or ransomware protection? Then you should check these out, too:

Cisco Meraki Z Series: Security & Connectivity for Teleworkers

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On September 1, 2020

Cisco Meraki Z Series: Security & Connectivity for Teleworkers

cisco meraki remote access remote workforce secure remote access telework z-series

Meet the Cisco Meraki Z Series

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for 2020, you’ve probably heard about the massive shift to remote work. While that change is well underway, businesses are still playing catch up to get the right solutions in place for their remote workers’ security and performance. Enter Cisco Meraki Z Series Teleworker Gateways.

Telework is literally this appliance’s middle name, so you know you’re looking at a strong answer. The Z Series combines enterprise-level firewall security with a VPN gateway and a wireless router, all in one compact package. They’re purpose-built to securely extend Meraki’s cloud managed networking to the work from home crowd. Let’s take a closer look at what the Z Series offers to improve your remote work days.

Cisco Meraki Z Series Models

The Cisco Meraki Z Series consists of two hardware models, the Z3 Cloud Managed Teleworker Gateway and the Z3C LTE Teleworker Gateway. The models are virtually the same, except the Z3C offers an additional cellular failover option with an integrated CAT 3 LTE Modem. The first entry in the series, the Cisco Meraki Z1, reached end of sale in July of 2018. Now let’s get more into the specific features you can expect from Z Series Teleworker Gateway appliances.

How Many Devices Can the Z3 Support?

The Cisco Meraki Z3 and Z3C are made for remote workers’ home office setups. Therefore, they support a typical power user’s home network, with a recommended max of 5 devices – also known as clients. Devices can mean desktop computers, laptops, printers, phones, and more.

Cisco Meraki Z3 Tech Specs

Physically, the Cisco Meraki Z3 and Z3C share similar footprints, with the Z3C weighing in a quarter pound more and measuring an inch longer thanks to its internal modem. That of course just means the difference between under a pound and slightly over a pound, so if you have a desk (or table, or shelf, or whatever), you’ll find a spot. Otherwise, their features are identical:

4 wired LAN ports – incl. one 802.3af PoE port, ideal for phones
1 GbE WAN port
1 USB 2.0 port (for 3G/4G failover)
Dual-band 802.11ac Wave 2 WiFi, 2×2 MU-MIMO
Stateful firewall throughput: 100 Mbps
VPN throughput: 50 Mbps

Z Series: In Summary

In case reading tech specs isn’t your thing, allow us to elaborate. When it comes to firewalling, the Z Series has you covered with Cisco Meraki firewall security and solid throughput for a home user. This keeps threats from entering the home office environment. Plus, you can separate work and home traffic for added protection. When it comes to wireless, you get a Wave 2 router with support for up to 4 SSIDs (with guest access) and a data rate up to 1.3 Gbps.

When it comes to remote work connectivity, you get Auto VPN. With Meraki’s self-configuring Auto VPN technology, administrators can deploy network services including VoIP & remote endpoints without needing to walk-through the home user. Your home workers get secure, zero-touch site to site connectivity to HQ and all the apps and files therein. And when it comes to management, you get Cisco Meraki’s single-pane-of-glass, cloud-based dashboard. In addition, there are throughput, connectivity monitoring, & email alerts, plus automatic firmware upgrades & security patches.

How to get the Z Series

First, choose between the Cisco Meraki Z3 and the Z3C if you need the added failover assurance of the internal cellular modem. And then, choose your support subscription length. Then, to get all the management, reporting, firmware updates, support, and zero-touch deployment you can handle, choose your enterprise license. Select a subscription length of 1, 3, 5, 7, or 10 years. And remember, all Cisco Meraki appliances require an active license to operate.

How to Choose a Cisco Meraki MS Switch for your Small Business

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On June 5, 2020

How to Choose a Cisco Meraki MS Switch for your Small Business

cisco meraki ms switch network switch

Shopping for Cisco Meraki MS Switches

Cisco Meraki MS Network Switches provide Layer 2 switching that unifies devices. Meraki switches fit best in small businesses, branch offices, distributed enterprises, campuses, and other complex deployment settings. These gigabit switches include SFP+ uplinks on all models. At the high end, Meraki switches reach up to 800 Gbps of switching capacity. In other words, a Cisco Meraki MS Switch is an ideal fit for a wide range of situations.

Managed through a simple single-pane-of-glass interface, Cisco Meraki MS switches excel in the cloud. Extend greater visibility and control across the network. Because of these features, admins can easily track:

User activity
Security events
Configuration changes

Cisco Meraki MS Switches are stackable. So SMBs can easily add future switches to meet business growth – perfect for scalability.

Why Cisco Meraki MS Switches?

Network switches connect all the devices your business uses. Whether they be VoIP phones, wireless APs, firewalls, SMA devices, or others, a switch acts at the central hub of traffic routing. Cisco Meraki MS Switches intelligently link devices across your network. As a result, admins can take control with:

Role-based administration
Fully cloud-based management
Remote diagnostics tools
Packet capture
Automated downtime email alerts

Cisco Meraki MS switches let small businesses take advantage of enterprise-grade features without paying enterprise prices. In addition to traditional Ethernet features, MS switches include:

MAC Whitelists & MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB)
Dynamic ARP Inspection
VLAN configuration settings for individual ports
Traffic monitoring through port mirroring

And there’s more: deploying a Cisco Meraki MS switch is simple. Plug it in. That’s it.

With auto-provisioning, SMBs that lack IT talent can quickly deploy across multiple sites. That is to say, no messing around with command lines. No complex setup needed. Zero-touch deployment makes Meraki switches a plug-and-play experience.

Choosing a Cisco Meraki MS Switch

Finding a network switch can be a challenge if you’re not familiar with important tech specs and features. So here are a few key features to keep an eye out for:

Power Configuration

Cisco Meraki MS switches include a single power supply, with additional power supply units sold separately. Power supply configurations are hot-swappable, so you can say goodbye to downtime.

Switching Capacity

Switching capacity refers to the total amount of data that a network switch can handle. Vendors measure this in Gbps. If you’re getting a gig or more from your ISP, then you’ll want a network switch that can handle that traffic volume without losing the speed you paid for.

Interfaces

The whole point of a network switch is to act as a central hub. That means you’ll want a lot of ports and types of interfaces to meet the needs of your setup. Cisco Meraki MS switches come in:

8-port
16-port
24-port
48-port

Uplinks

Network switch uplinks are important for stacking. To clarify, uplinks allow two similar devices to directly connect. Whereas devices once required a crossover cable to “talk” back and forth, an uplink port allows your MS appliance to internally route communication between devices.

Still Have Questions about Network Switches?

To sum up, Cisco Meraki MS switches are great for SMBs and branches to centralize all their devices. Firewalls.com provides plain-language product knowledge to our customers. This ensures you make a wise security investment. Next, check out our other network switch tools to see if a Cisco Meraki switch is right for you.

Read our article “Five Things to Consider Before Buying a Network Switch“

Watch our Video Buyers Guide for Network Switches

Comparing Cisco Meraki MX64 & Cisco Meraki MX67

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On April 14, 2020

Comparing Cisco Meraki MX64 & Cisco Meraki MX67

cisco meraki firewall firewalls mx firewalls mx64 mx67

Comparing the Cisco Meraki MX64 & Cisco Meraki MX67 Firewalls

The Cisco Meraki MX64 and Cisco Meraki MX67 firewalls are both geared towards small businesses looking for affordable, efficient security. Part of the Meraki MX Firewall series, these models share a lot in common at first glance. But that may make it tricky for SMBs and network administrators to decipher which of these next generation firewalls is best suited to their unique network demands.

Both SD-WAN-ready appliances are ideal for SMBs seeking an all-in-one UTM solution backed by a globally recognized brand they can trust. But which one works for you? Compare the Cisco Meraki MX64 and Cisco Meraki MX67 below with side-by-side tech spec comparisons, feature spotlights, and more.

Cisco Meraki MX64 Tech Spec Snapshot

Ideal For: Entry-level firewall for small businesses

What Sets It Apart: Highly-efficient UTM & SD-WAN solution at a low price point

Max Recommended Users: 50

Max VPN Throughput: 100 Mbps

Advanced Security Throughput: 200 Mbps

Cisco Meraki MX67 Spec Snapshot

Ideal For: Remote locations & areas requiring high availability

What Sets It Apart: Built-in modems simplify cellular uplink backups for remote locations

Max Recommended Users: 50

Max VPN Throughput: 450 Mbps

Advanced Security Throughput: 300 Mbps

What comes with a Cisco Meraki MX64 & MX67 firewall?

Ready to level up your security with Cisco Meraki? Tag on an Enterprise or Advanced Security license to unlock advanced security features, bolstering your network’s defenses against encrypted malware, ransomware, & zero day threats. These licenses come in 1-, 3-, 5-, 7-, or even 10-year terms and include 24×7 support from Cisco Meraki specialists, as well as the following security features:

Included with a Cisco Meraki Enterprise License

Stateful Layer 7 firewall
Site-to-site VPN
Client VPN
Dynamic host configuration protocol
Branch routing
Intelligent path control
App visibility & control

Included with a Cisco Meraki Advanced Security License

All of the features listed above, plus
URL content filtering
Google SafeSearch enforcement
Youtube EDU enforcement
Intrusion prevention
Advanced malware protection (AMP) with Threat Grid support
Geo-IP firewall rules

How to Choose a Cisco Meraki Firewall for your Small Business

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On March 17, 2020

How to Choose a Cisco Meraki Firewall for your Small Business

cisco meraki mx firewalls small business firewalls

Shopping for Cisco Meraki MX Firewalls

Cisco Meraki MX Security & SD-WAN Appliances (or as we affectionately call them: firewalls) provide Unified Threat Management for small businesses, branch offices, datacenters, and distributed enterprise environments. 100% cloud managed and filled to the brim with comprehensive security features, Cisco Meraki firewalls reduce complexity and save money by eliminating the need for multiple appliances.

Why Meraki Firewalls?

As small businesses explore digital transformation and all the advanced security and networking that it offers, automated services become more important. Cisco Meraki MX firewalls make intelligent site-to-site VPN easy with Auto VPN. Auto VPN automatically generates VPN routes using IKE/IPSec that can connect with all IPSec VPN devices and services. Automated MPLS to VPN failover in case of a connection failure is resolved in a matter of seconds, minimizing downtime over remote access.

SD-WAN is another key aspect of digital transformation and Cisco Meraki includes SD-WAN capabilities with each firewall. Software-defined WAN lowers operational costs and improves performance of remotely-accessed resources. Policy-based routing, support for application-layer profiles, active/active VPN, and dynamic path selection ensure the apps and services your employees use most are always available.

Cisco Meraki MX firewalls include all the advanced security services you expect out of a next generation firewall: intrusion prevention powered by Cisco-developed SNORT, content filtering, anti-malware, geo-based firewalling, remote access connectivity, and advanced malware protection. Layer 7 fingerprinting allows small businesses to identify PUAs and unproductive content so that company bandwidth isn’t wasted on time-wasters like BitTorrent.

Choosing a Cisco Meraki MX Firewall

It can be a challenge to spot the difference between two similar firewalls, but the devil is always in the details. Here are a few key differentiators between Cisco Meraki firewalls to help you decide which device is right for your network.

Power of Ethernet

The Cisco Meraki MX68 includes Power-over-Ethernet capabilities. The rear of these MX firewall models feature a pair of 802.3at (PoE+) ports. With them, you get built-in power supply capabilities for tricky installations where outlets may be unavailable. These two 802.3at ports provide a total of 60W power. In other words, you can leave the AC adapters at home.

Integrated 802.11ac Wave 2 Wireless

The MX67W and MX68W provide wireless firewalling capabilities, integrating Cisco Meraki’s industry-recognized wireless technology in an SMB-friendly compact form factor. Enjoy unified central management of all network security and wireless devices.

Meraki vMX100 Virtual Firewall

Virtual firewalls provide the benefit of simple configurations and appliance-less deployment. The Meraki vMX100 is added via Amazon Web Services or Azure and configured directly in the Meraki dashboard, just as you would manage any other MX firewall appliance. Licensing only–no on-premise equipment required!

Cisco Meraki MX64 vs MX65

At first glance, these two models look pretty similar. Both clock in at 200 Mbps of Advanced Security Throughput (when the full range of intelligent security services are operating). They also offer 100 Mbps of VPN Throughput. The MX64 can be converted to support WAN and includes 3 dedicated GbE RJ45 interfaces. Why aren’t we talking more about the MX65? Because it reached end of sale in 2019 and is no longer available. If you’re looking for something comparable – the MX68 is your best bet.

Cisco Meraki MX67 and MX68

Meraki MX67 and MX68 firewalls are designed with built-in cellular modems that simplify deployments requiring a cellular uplink backup. This kind of cellular uplink infrastructure is ideal for remote locations that rely on continuous WAN circuits. That is to say, where you need high availability and redundancy, the cellular uplink provides a valuable backup.

The MX68 includes the Power of Ethernet capabilities described in the section above as well as dual WAN interfaces and 10 LAN RJ45 interfaces. On the other hand, the MX67 includes only one dedicated WAN interface and three LAN RJ45 interfaces.

Meraki MX84, MX100, MX250, & MX450

The Cisco Meraki MX84 and above appliances pack a bit more punch behind their security performance.

- MX84 Recommended Users & VPN Throughput: 200 users, 250 Mbps
- MX100 Recommended Users & VPN Throughput: 500 users, 500 Mbps
- MX250 Recommended Users & VPN Throughput: 2,000 users, 1.0 Gbps
- MX450 Recommended Users & VPN Throughput: 10,000 users, 2.0 Gbps

In sum, it’s clear these models are designed for medium branches and enterprise networks. With top-end speeds up to 6.0 Gbps of stateful firewall inspection, the advanced security technology behind Cisco Meraki MX firewalls bring serious security and performance.

Advanced Security Licenses and Support

Check out our Renewals & Licensing wizard to find advanced security licenses for Cisco Meraki MX firewalls like Cisco Meraki Advanced Security Licensing.

Tag: cisco meraki

What Is Wifi 6

How Is Wifi 6 Different Than Wifi 5

Why Upgrade to Wifi 6

Which Brands Already Carry Wifi 6 Access Points

What Are The Recommended Wifi 6 Access Point Models

For Easy Deployment

For Network Integration

Look to the Cloud

Let’s Take It Outside

Cisco Meraki MX84 Review

Is Cisco Meraki Any Good?

What Businesses Would Be A Good Fit For the Meraki MX84?

Cisco Meraki MX84 Specs

Cisco Meraki MX84 Pricing & Availability

3 Best Network Switches for Business 2020

What is a Network Switch?

What to Look for in a Network Switch

Top 3 Network Switches in 2020

But wait, there’s more…

Meet the Cisco Meraki Z Series

Cisco Meraki Z Series Models

How Many Devices Can the Z3 Support?

Cisco Meraki Z3 Tech Specs

Z Series: In Summary

How to get the Z Series

Shopping for Cisco Meraki MS Switches

Why Cisco Meraki MS Switches?

Choosing a Cisco Meraki MS Switch

Still Have Questions about Network Switches?

Comparing the Cisco Meraki MX64 & Cisco Meraki MX67 Firewalls

Cisco Meraki MX64 Tech Spec Snapshot

Cisco Meraki MX67 Spec Snapshot

What comes with a Cisco Meraki MX64 & MX67 firewall?

Included with a Cisco Meraki Enterprise License

Included with a Cisco Meraki Advanced Security License

More firewall review videos

Shopping for Cisco Meraki MX Firewalls

Why Meraki Firewalls?

Choosing a Cisco Meraki MX Firewall

Advanced Security Licenses and Support