Item: Cisco Meraki MX
Rating: 8
Author: Verified User

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use Cisco Meraki MX appliances at each site to firewall internet service and to act as endpoint for SDWAN. It can Geofence each location and acts as Web filter, Intrusion Detection System also. The SDWAN allows each site to talk directly to the home site, or to connect to internet services as needed.

Pros and Cons

Geofencing
Firewall
SDWAN
URL Filtering

Configuration can be slow
In the console, movement from one network to another is very slow at times
Each site must be separately configured

Return on Investment

Allowed us to move to less expensive Synchronous Internet connections from private lines.
The appliances and licensing for a large number of sites can be expensive.
Allows us to let local traffic exit to SaaS Cloud directly instead of through the home site.

Simplified Management

We can bring up a new small site in a few hours. It can be tested in the office just as it will be in the field. This lets us pre-configure and send an entire "network in a box" to a remote site. The remote site can then unpack plug and be running in a few minutes.

Integrations with other Cisco products

Cisco Meraki MS, Cisco Meraki MR and Cisco Meraki MV

In those locations where we can use all Cisco Meraki hardware, we have a higher visibility from end to end. We can also manage everything from the same base console, although each location is its own network with its own settings. This can be time consuming when changes are desired.

Scalability

It seems to scale well, as far as connectivity and reliability go. However, as it scales out, it becomes increasingly time-consuming to configure the different "networks" It also allows us to use multiple Internet connections for failover and allows us to use Asynchronous internet at some very small sites.

Alternatives Considered

Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services

Overall, for a new network admin or a non-IT person, the Cisco Meraki MX is much easier to configure for a single site than the Cisco ASA Firewalls. ASA can be quicker for those with a background in Cisco command line OS.

Key Insights

Do you think Cisco Meraki MX delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Cisco Meraki MX's feature set?

Yes

Did Cisco Meraki MX live up to sales and marketing promises?

Did implementation of Cisco Meraki MX go as expected?

Would you buy Cisco Meraki MX again?

Yes

Likelihood to Recommend

The Cisco Meraki MX appliance is especially suited to smaller and medium organizations with fewer sites. It is fairly easy it get up and running and get a base configuration. The Cisco Meraki MX appliance is less suited for organizations that have a lot of sites. It is also not a good fit where an organization needs to be able to configure everything in one setting place.

Cisco Meraki MX Works for Us

Modules Used

Overall Satisfaction with Cisco Meraki MX