Aironet vs. Meraki
Updated January 12, 2019

Aironet vs. Meraki

Justin McDermott | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Cisco Aironet and Catalyst 2800 Series Access Points

We deployed these in a select zone for expanded coverage. They allow some of our clients and employees to collaborate anywhere on our floor in a more relaxed setting.
  • ISE enforcement
  • Lots of accessories and antenna
  • POE options and other deployment options.
  • Cost
  • Cloud management
  • They drive great customer interaction
  • They allow freedom to reconfigure them as needed.
  • They have high reliability
  • Cisco Meraki Wireless WAN
While we do use Meraki we choose to use Cisco Aironet access points due to the flexibility and maximum configuration options. Meraki does not have this.
Large enterprise or large coverage areas with maximum deployment and configuration options.

Cisco Aironet Additional Questions

Cisco TAC can be sometimes hit and miss.
  • Flexibility
  • Reliability
  • Accessories
  • Product Features
  • Product Usability
  • Product Reputation
  • Vendor Reputation
Reliability paired with the ability to find somebody to manage these devices with critical. Other access point vendors have cheaper products but do not have the support Personnel available.
Measure twice cut once. Be sure to do proper due diligence on AP placement and cable management. Also be sure you really understand how WLC work and the options and features. It's best to run through some common fault situations as a dry run so you know how to react.
Depending on your size in your account level sometimes it's difficult to engage the vendor in successful negotiation.
Post implementation experience is usually pretty good. You do have to pay a licensing fee so that factors into this.

Using Cisco Aironet and Catalyst 2800 Series Access Points

15 - Wealth management
2 - CCNA wireless certificate or 4-5 years wireless experience.
  • The provide an reconfigurable environment to transition from client facing to corporate only.
  • Paired with ISE provide guest net captive portal.
It just works and pairs with our other Cisco kit works very well

Evaluating Cisco Aironet and Catalyst 2800 Series Access Points and Competitors

We wouldn't change much besides maybe a stronger cost comparison. With Personnel costs accounted for this election.

Cisco Aironet and Catalyst 2800 Series Access Points Implementation

Proper pre-planning would help you avoid any issues. Any deployments at scale should be double-checked.
  • Third-party professional service company
CDW
No - We had one main phase since this was an isolated appointment of the AP inside a very specific use case.
Change management was a minor issue with the implementation - Conduct a good radio site survey prior to the access point deployment.
  • Radio issues with RF
  • Adjusting antennas and coverage.

Cisco Aironet and Catalyst 2800 Series Access Points Training

Because the wireless access controller controls the access point. It's easy to pick up the interface and expand that to all the wireless products.

Cisco Aironet and Catalyst 2800 Series Access Points Support

ProsCons
Quick Resolution
Good followup
Knowledgeable team
Problems get solved
Immediate help available
Support cares about my success
Quick Initial Response
Need to explain problems multiple times
No - We have on-site engineers.
When we deployed The Cisco aironet initially we had some radio issues Tac work with us very quickly to get this solved during our deployment window which was only 4 hours long.

Using Cisco Aironet and Catalyst 2800 Series Access Points

When paired with a wireless LAN controller it's very easy to use. Without the wireless LAN controller it gets very complex.
ProsCons
Like to use
Easy to use
Well integrated
Consistent
Quick to learn
Convenient
Feel confident using
Requires technical support
  • Wireless Lan Controller integration
  • Power over Ethernet
  • Antenna installations
  • Upgrades out of band
  • Radio troubleshooting

Cisco Aironet and Catalyst 2800 Series Access Points Reliability

The access point is extremely Hardy this was the Prime reason we bought this model.
This access point does not usually randomly shut off. It can't happen but it's generally due to a power over ethernet failures which would could be considered a user error.
Performance on this access point is excellent. They're used by some of the largest companies in the world for the highest density applications.

Relationship with Cisco

We really only negotiated cost the main item.
Be sure to engage early and often and have an honest candid discussion. Be clear about your pricing expectations and it will usually be answered.