Cisco Meraki Access Points are the most powerful, intuitive wireless solution to deploy, configure, and manage. With their dynamic analytics, you’ll get a smarter and safer network with unparalleled visibility and control.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of Cisco Meraki Access Points, offering in-depth information and practical insights based on real-world experience.
If you’re already familiar with access points and what they do, keep reading to learn more about what makes Cisco Meraki Access Points different (and better) than the rest. If you’re new to access points, hit the FAQs section first to get the basic answers you’re looking for.
Cisco Meraki stands at the forefront of wireless access points, delivering a powerful combination of advanced software features and high performance hardware designed for today’s demanding wireless networks. With Meraki’s cloud-managed platform, businesses can centrally manage and monitor all their wireless devices from a single, intuitive dashboard—no matter the size or complexity of their network. Each Cisco Meraki wireless access point is engineered with multiple radios and supports the latest Wi-Fi standards, ensuring fast, reliable wireless access for users in environments ranging from small retail shops to sprawling enterprise campuses. By leveraging the Meraki cloud, administrators can easily deploy, configure, and scale wireless access points, providing seamless connectivity and robust performance for every device and user on the network.
The enterprise-grade features Cisco Meraki is known for include integrated, easy-to-use technologies that enhance secure network connectivity and simplify management, such as:
Now you’ll surely want to know the benefits you get with these full features. With them, Meraki:
Meraki APs with Wi-Fi 6E technology increase available bandwidth by utilizing the expanded spectrum and wider channels, supporting bandwidth-intensive applications and improving overall network capacity.
And with this information handed straight to you as the IT lead, you can quickly identify troubling patterns and problematic clients to proactively mitigate issues before they become full-scale emergencies. Finally—you’ll get the credit you deserve from your C-Level team.
With a variety of Cisco Meraki APs available, you can choose the right models to fit different deployment scenarios and environments.
Organizations can use a mix of different Cisco Meraki Access Point models—combining indoor and outdoor APs—to optimize wireless coverage and performance across diverse areas within their network setup.
Let’s get back to basics for a minute and answer some fundamental questions regarding access points.
A Cisco Meraki access point allows wireless devices to communicate with the wired network, enabling seamless wireless communication within your organization.
An access point (also known as a wireless access point or WAP) is a networking device for connecting wireless devices (laptops, tablets, phones, etc.) to a wired network. When a tablet, for example, is used for going online, its signal can go through an access point to connect to the internet without having to plug in a cable first.
Cisco Meraki access points work by providing reliable wireless connectivity, ensuring devices can access network resources efficiently and perform as intended.
A Cisco Meraki access point is used to create a wireless network within an existing wired network, providing secure and manageable connectivity tailored for different environments and applications. For example, these access points are ideal for use in offices, retail stores, or restaurant settings, allowing employees or guests to wirelessly connect to the intranet or internet throughout the building.
The access point creates a wireless local area network in an office via a Wi-Fi signal. For example, if you have a solid Wi-Fi signal in the conference room, but the breakroom Wi-Fi signal needs a boost, you’ll want to install an access point there.
Here’s a great example of an access point that will do everything it should: Cisco Meraki’s MR56 is a dual-band 802.11ax-compatible access point with separate radios dedicated to security, RF management, and Bluetooth (among other impressive features). This access point is designed for next-gen deployments with simple management.
Cisco Meraki access points are deployed in a variety of cases, including retail stores, educational institutions, and hospitality environments, where reliable wireless connectivity and centralized management are essential.
This is a trick question—access points and routers are two different things. Move along.
A router is a local area network (LAN) hub network device that connects all personal devices to the internet and manages those connections.
However, an access point acts as a secure portal (sub-device within the LAN) for allowing personal devices to wirelessly connect to the existing LAN to create a wireless LAN (WLAN).
An access point is a device that enables Wi-Fi access via projected signal by providing a WLAN for devices to connect to within a building.
A Wi-Fi extender (also called a range extender) is placed near the router’s strong signal to lengthen the reach of a Wi-Fi network and eliminate potential signal dead zones. It picks up Wi-Fi signals and retransmits them to user devices.
To get the most out of your Cisco Meraki wireless access points, following deployment best practices is essential. Start by conducting a thorough site survey to determine the optimal number and placement of access points for your wireless network. Proper configuration of wireless network settings, such as SSIDs and VLANs, ensures efficient wireless access and minimizes interference. Implementing security measures like WPA2 encryption and IEEE 802.1X authentication helps protect your network and users. Regularly updating firmware keeps your access points secure and performing at their best, while ongoing monitoring of network traffic allows you to quickly identify and resolve any issues. By adhering to these best practices, you’ll deliver a secure, high-performance wireless experience that meets the needs of your organization.
Managing and troubleshooting Cisco Meraki wireless access points is streamlined with the Meraki dashboard. This powerful tool allows administrators to quickly pinpoint issues such as wireless interference, outdated firmware, or configuration errors. The dashboard provides real-time insights into network traffic and user activity, making it easy to identify potential security threats or performance bottlenecks. With built-in troubleshooting tools, you can diagnose and resolve issues efficiently, ensuring users enjoy consistent, high-quality wireless access. The Meraki dashboard’s intuitive interface means you can address problems proactively, keeping your network running smoothly and minimizing downtime for your users.
Integrating Cisco Meraki wireless access points into your existing infrastructure is a straightforward process, thanks to the Meraki cloud-managed platform. Whether you’re connecting to current wired networks, switches, or other network devices, Meraki access points are designed for seamless compatibility. Administrators can easily configure wireless network settings and enforce security policies directly from the Meraki dashboard, streamlining management across all devices. The platform’s broad compatibility with various devices and operating systems ensures that deployment is simple, even in complex or mixed environments. With Meraki, expanding your wireless network or upgrading your infrastructure is easy, efficient, and secure.
Security is a top priority with Cisco Meraki wireless access points. Each device is equipped with advanced features such as AES encryption, WPA2 encryption, and IEEE 802.1X authentication to safeguard your wireless network against threats. The Meraki dashboard offers comprehensive tools for monitoring network traffic and detecting potential security risks, giving administrators full visibility and control. Additional features like Airplay and Bonjour support enable secure, reliable connectivity for Apple devices, making it easy to accommodate a wide range of users and devices. By leveraging these robust security features, your organization can protect sensitive data, prevent unauthorized access, and maintain a secure, high-performance wireless environment.
When you choose Stratus as your Meraki reseller, your Cisco Meraki Access Point purchase is more than just a transaction. While the cost of Cisco Meraki Access Points may be higher than some alternatives, the superior quality, advanced features, and robust performance justify the investment. Customers benefit from a standard warranty and a range of support options, including extended coverage and priority support packages. Replacement components such as power adapters and mounting hardware are readily available to ensure ongoing reliability and easy maintenance. The Cisco Meraki Cloud provides centralized, user-friendly management and monitoring for all deployed access points, streamlining network operations. When planning your deployment, it’s important to consider the physical space and environment to ensure optimal wireless coverage and performance. Our close partnership with Cisco and years of in-depth experience means you get ongoing advisory support at every level. Plus, no one can beat our prices.
For a wireless access point that does everything you need doing, contact Stratus. We’ll be waiting for your quote request.
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