Business works when the network works, and the importance of having a reliable and efficient network is critical. 

For example, imagine a smart office where digital signage shows available conference rooms, smart whiteboards power collaboration, and smart cameras ensure security—all connected to a network switch that is the backbone of everything.

If a port is configured incorrectly, these services could be interrupted, causing disruptions in productivity and potentially compromising the safety and security of the office. IT teams would then spend hours troubleshooting, delaying resolution and causing frustration for everyone.

Modern networks are increasingly complex. The Meraki cloud-managed switching platform provides an efficient way to manage networks across locations remotely, empowering IT teams to achieve scale effectively and intuitively. 

From (day) zero to hero with zero-touch provisioning 

A proactive approach to port management involves identifying and labeling all ports when deploying new switches. This prevents unauthorized access or accidental connection. Meraki zero-touch provisioning eliminates the need for dedicated on-site network staff and potential errors from manual configurations, optimizing both network management and security.  

Get the best of both worlds of security and sustainability

Being able to safely monitor usage and quickly detect anomalies requires keeping ports and devices on 24/7. But network switches can consume a significant amount of energy, even when not all ports are in use.  

With the Meraki switching port schedule feature, network teams can remotely and safely disable ports (on a set schedule, like after business hours). This limits access to authorized devices for enhanced security posture and also helps reduce energy consumption.   

Be adaptive to changing needs

As an organization continues to connect more devices to its network, managing port settings and configurations becomes increasingly complex. 

Port Profiles aims to solve the problem of highly repetitive and error-prone port configurations by allowing network teams to create a set of standardized attributes. These can then be applied to one or thousands of ports across the network, making initial and ongoing configuration a breeze. 

Let’s consider a hypothetical fast-food franchise that wants to add additional drive-through order monitors to multiple locations to improve the customer experience. Network teams can create a static profile that includes all the required settings and configurations for the monitors. They can then assign the profile to all targeted ports from the Meraki dashboard or API.

With the upcoming release of dynamic port profiles automation, if the monitors need to be moved to another port in the future, the port configuration is automatically applied. Port Profiles reduces the need for manual configuration or reconfiguration, saving time while minimizing errors and downtime.

As more comprehensive capabilities are added, Port Profiles will become more intelligent, with an increasing ability to dynamically and concisely assign to appropriate devices across a variety of networks.   

Curious to learn more? 

Listen to our episode on the Cisco Champion podcast. Our panel of experts discuss how Meraki switching tackles complex network operations with a user-first approach to deliver features like port profiles, templates, and APIs. They also share best practices for streamlining network operations and enhancing security without headaches. Tune in now!