Earlier this year, we introduced some additions to our Cisco Meraki MS switch portfolio: the eight-port MS220-8/P models, as well as our new Layer 3 aggregation switch, the MS420 (in 24- and 48-port configurations). Today, we’re excited to announce a major expansion of our switching line with 10 additional new models:

With these additions, we’re continuing our expansion of cloud-based access switching. As always, the same mission-critical features found in all other Meraki switches — like deep Layer 7 application visibility, virtual stacking, QoS for business critical applications, 802.1X access control, and more — are present in every new model.

 

MS220 vs. MS320

 

So what’s exciting, new, and different about these new families?  We’ll look at the main areas of differentiation: Layer 2 vs. Layer 3 support, uplink speed, power supply options, PoE budgeting, and cooling.

Layer 3 Support

All MS320 switch models support static routing and DHCP Helper (aka DHCP relay) functionality. Static routing lets a switch perform inter-VLAN routing internally, without the need for an external Layer 3 device attached via a trunk port.  

 

DHCP Helper lets switch clients request and receive IP addresses from DHCP servers located in VLANs other than their own — useful when a client’s subnet doesn’t host its own DHCP server.

This Layer 3 “Lite” functionality will be extended (via firmware update) in Q2 of calendar year 2014 to include OSPFv2 dynamic routing support.

 

Uplink Speed

Both the new MS220 and MS320 switches come configured with either 24 or 48 ports, all running 1 GbE. Additionally, on the MS220 models, 4 SFP uplink ports provide 1 Gbps connectivity to aggregation or core switches. MS320 models sport 4 SFP+ uplink ports for 10 Gbps connectivity.

 

Power Supply & PoE Budgets

The MS220 line (excluding MS220-8/P models) comes with hardware support for rack-mountable, remote power supplies (RPS). These RPS serve as backup power for MS220 switches in the event of any issues with an internal power unit.  

MS320 switches, in contrast, will sport hot-swappable, redundant power supplies.

MS320 power supplies.

 

All MS220 and MS320 models offer non-PoE or PoE versions supporting both 802.3af (PoE) and 802.3at (PoE+). For PoE-enabled switches, you can now choose between half-powered (LP) or full-powered (FP) models.  LP switches sport a total power budget of 370W, while FP models clock in with a budget of 740W — enough to concurrently power 41 of our new MR34 802.11ac access points, which require PoE+ for full functionality.

 

Cooling

In the MS320 models, system fans that regulate airflow and temperature are integrated into the replaceable power supplies.  Fan replacement, if needed, can be performed on a live switch without incurring any downtime and with no additional cost related to shipping for RMA or reinstallation.

 

Orderability

MS220 and MS320 switches are now available to order through Cisco Meraki resellers.  

 

MS220 switches are orderable in 8, 24, and 48 port configurations — with or without PoE/PoE+.

For Additional Information

To learn more about our new switch models, check out our MS family data sheet or visit our switch website.