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Cisco Meraki Documentation

MS355 Overview and Specifications

Overview 

The MS355 is a multi-gigabit switch line designed to help prepare Organizations for the increased bandwidth requirements of the upcoming 802.11ax wireless standard with high-count mGig switch ports and increased switching capacity to meet the demands of next generation access points. Networks with sizeable wireless deployments such as universities, hospitals, and large public complexes like transportation centers can all benefit from the increased bandwidth capabilities of the MS355. 

With 4 different models, each with multiple mGig RJ45 ports capable of negotiating up to 10Gbps, 40G QSFP+ ports, and dedicated 100G hardware stacking ports, the MS355 line is fully ready to support the future deployment of 802.11ax wireless infrastructure across a variety of different environments.

 

2018-11-20 10_46_34-MS355-48X2-MS355-24X2-stacked-shadow-EDIT2.png

 

Features 

  • Managed via Cisco Meraki Dashboard 
  • Remote Packet Capture Tools via Meraki Dashboard
  • Automatic Firmware upgrades 
  • SNMP/Syslog Integration 
  • IPv4/6 ACL support 
  • 802.1q VLAN tagging  
  • Broadcast Storm Control 
  • Dynamic ARP Inspection / DHCP Snooping 
  • 802.1X Authentication
  • 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ45
  • 100M/1G/2.5G/5G/10G mGbE RJ45 
  • 4x 1000/10000 Mbps SFP+ 
  • 2x 40GbE QSFP+ 
  • 2x Dedicated Stack Ports providing 400G of Stacking bandwidth
  • L3 Switching including OSPF 
  • UPoE Support 
  • Hot Swappable Power Supplies and Fans 
  • Warm Spare capable

Configuration 

The basic initial configuration of the MS355 is just as simple as any other model of MS switch. The links below provide additional information and instructions relating to each step in getting the device setup and configured for the first time. 

  1. Claim the device to an Organization on the Meraki Dashboard
    1. If a Dashboard Organization does not yet exist, Create one
  2. Add the device to a Dashboard Network 
    1. If a Network does not yet exist, Create one first
  3. Physically connect the device to the local network
    1. Connect one of the RJ45 ports to existing infrastructure to provide a temporary uplink
    2. Power on the device and let it check in to the Dashboard
    3. If necessary, configure a Static IP through the Local Status Page to allow it to communicate with the Meraki Dashboard.
  4. Allow the device to completely check-in and perform any initial firmware upgrades
  5. Finish configuring the device from the Meraki Dashboard 
    1. Create a Switch Stack
    2. Manage local VLANs / Port configuration
    3. Configure Layer 3 Routing 

Context and Comparisons 

  MS350-24P MS350-24X MS355-24X
1GbE RJ45 24 16 16
mGbE RJ45 (100M/1G/2.5G/5G/10G) - 8 8
10GbE SFP+ 4 4 4
40GbE QSFP+ - - 2
Hardware Stack Port 2 2 2
Dedicated Management Interface 1 1 1
Hot Swap Power Supply Yes, Dual Yes, Dual Yes, Dual
Hot Swap Fans Yes, 2x Yes, 2x Yes, 3x
Layer 3 Routing Yes Yes Yes
UPoE Capable No, 370W Yes, 740W Yes, 740W
Max Switching Capacity 128 Gbps 272 Gbps 352 Gbps
Max Stacking Bandwidth 160 Gbps 160 Gbps 400 Gbps

Technical Breakdown  

Hardware Breakdown

  MS355-24X MS355-24X2 MS355-48X MS355-48X2
1GbE RJ45 16

-

32 24
mGbE RJ45 (100M/1G/2.5G/5G/10G) 8 24 16 24
10GbE SFP+ 4 4 4 4
40GbE QSFP+ 2 2 2 2
Hardware Stack Port 2 2 2 2
Dedicated Mgmt Interface 1 1 1 1
Hot Swap Power Supply Yes, Dual Yes, Dual Yes, Dual Yes, Dual
Hot Swap Fans Yes, 3x Yes, 3x Yes, 3x Yes, 3x

Cabling Best Practices for Multi-Gigabit operations: While Category-5e cables can support multigigabit data rates upto 2.5/5 Gbps, external factors such as noise, alien crosstalk coupled with longer cable/cable bundle lengths can impede reliable link operation. Noise can originate from cable bundling, RFI, cable movement, lightning, power surges and other transient event. It is recommended to use Category-6a cabling for reliable multigigabit operations as it mitigates alien crosstalk by design.

Throughput and Capabilities

  MS355-24X MS355-24X2 MS355-48X MS355-48X2
Layer 3 Routing Yes Yes Yes Yes
UPoE Capable Yes, 740W Yes, 740W Yes, 740W Yes, 740W
Switching Capacity 352 Gbps 640 Gbps 544 Gbps 688 Gbps
Stacking Bandwidth 400 Gbps 400 Gbps 400 Gbps 400 Gbps

Physical 

  MS355-24X MS355-24X2 MS355-48X MS355-48X2
Mount Type 1U Rack Mount 1U Rack Mount 1U Rack Mount 1U Rack Mount
Dimensions (h x w x d)

1.7 x 19.1 x 20 in /

4.37 x 48.46 x 51.66 cm

1.7 x 19.1 x 20 in /

4.37 x 48.46 x 51.66 cm

1.7 x 19.1 x 20 in /

4.37 x 48.46 x 51.66 cm

1.7 x 19.1 x 20 in /

4.37 x 48.46 x 51.66 cm

Weight 15.34 lbs / 6.96 kg 15.08 lbs / 6.84 kg 16.05 lbs / 7.28 kg 16.15 lbs / 7.33 kg
Power Supply 1025W AC 1025W AC 1025W AC 1025W AC
Power Load (idle/max) 110W / 1793W 110W / 1793W 110W / 1793W 110W / 1793W
Operating Temperature  32°F - 113 °F
0°C - 45°C
32°F - 113 °F
0°C - 45°C
32°F - 113 °F
0°C - 45°C
32°F - 113 °F
0°C - 45°C
Humidity 5% to 95% 5% to 95% 5% to 95% 5% to 95%

Troubleshooting 

The MS uses LEDs to inform the user of the device's status. When the device powers on, all the Internet LEDs flash twice. Additional functions are described below, from left to right.

Front Panel Components

Item

Function

LED Status

Meaning

1

Power

Solid orange

Switch is unable to connect to the Meraki cloud

   

Flashing white

Firmware upgrade in process

   

Solid white

Switch is fully operational and connected to the Meraki cloud

   

Off

Switch does not have power

2

Switch Ports

Off

No client connected

   

Solid orange

10/100 Mbps (1 Gbps on SFP+)

   

Solid green

1/2.5/5/10 Gbps (10 Gbps on SFP+)

 

Back Panel Components

Item

Function

LED Status

Meaning

1

Restore

N/A

Restore button to clear switch IP and local configuration settings

2

Management Interface

Green

Connected, used for easy access to the local status page

3

Stack Ports

N/A

Stack Cables are connected here

4

Redundant Fans

Green

Active and operational

5

Redundant Power Supplies

Green

Active and functional power supplies

 

Power cords may be ordered separately. 

Equipment is to be used only in a restricted access location and installed/operated only by trained service personnel.

Common Troubleshooting

My device is connected to the network but not checking in to the Meraki cloud or shows a solid Orange LED.

Confirm that the device is powered on and has a valid IP address that is able to access the Internet. Use the Local Status Page to get more information about the connectivity status of the device such as if it can successfully reach the Local Gateway, Internet, and/or Meraki Cloud servers. If necessary, contact Meraki Support for additional assistance.

 

My Status LED is blinking WHITE 

A blinking WHITE Status LED indicates that the device is in contact with the Dashboard Cloud servers and is performing a firmware update. This can sometimes take 20-45 minutes or more to complete depending on hardware and other factors.

 

My Status LED is blinking ORANGE

The device is not able to successfully communicate with the Dashboard Cloud servers or there may be a hardware issue with the device. Check the Local Status Page of the device to confirm the status and reach out to Meraki Support for further troubleshooting. 

 

Event Log 

The most common Event Log messages and their meaning are listed below.

Port STP change

Indicates the STP state of the port has changed, lists the relevant port number, previous, and new states. Typically accompanied by a 'Port status change' event.

Port status change

Indicates the link state of the port has changed, lists the relevant port number, old, and new state. Always accompanied by a 'Port STP change' event. 

SFP module inserted/removed 

Indicates that an SFP module was either inserted or removed, includes SFP module information for inserted events and always lists the relevant port number. 

 

Common Stacking Alerts 

View our dedicated Switch Stacking document for more detailed information about configuring a Switch Stack and common issues.

 

Ensure all stack members are configured on dashboard, online and connected via their stacking ports. If connected and configured correctly, the error will disappear within 20-30 minutes. If the error persists, please contact Cisco Meraki Technical Support for further troubleshooting.

This switch's current stack members differ from the dashboard configuration.

This switch's current stack members differ from the dashboard configuration

This error can occur in the following scenarios:

  • Stack members are configured on dashboard, but not all members are connected via their stacking ports.
  • A stack member has failed or is powered off.
This switch is not connected to a stack.

This switch is not connected to a stack

This error can occur in the following scenarios:

  • The switch is configured on dashboard as a stack member, but is not connected to a stack.
This switch does not have a stack configuration.

This switch does not have a stack configuration

This error can occur in the following scenarios:

  • The switch is physically connected as a stack, but not configured on dashboard as a stack member.

 

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