Meraki Device Reporting - Syslog, SNMP, and API

Overview

Aside from the event log that is available on the Meraki dashboard, there are several methods for device reporting and information gathering. The Meraki dashboard is able to report device information and events via Syslog, API, and SNMP. This document will provide guidance on how to configure these various reporting methods for Meraki devices.

Choosing a Reporting Method

Syslog, API, and SNMP each have their own benefits for network and device reporting. Below is a list comparing each option with their possible use-cases.

Network Event Information	Syslog	API / Webhooks	SNMP
Device Flows	X
Client Connectivity		X	X
Configuration Changes		X	X
Real-time information gathering	X	X	X
Real-time network statistics	X	X	X
Device information gathering	X	X	X
Detailed device statistics		X	X
Network-wide information gathering	X	X	X
Organization-wide information gathering		X	X
Proactive alerts for critical events		X	X
Automation capabilities		X	X
Application integration		X
Cloud-centric		X
Scalability		X

Syslog Configuration

A syslog server can be configured to store messages for reporting purposes from MX WAN appliances, MR access points, and MS switches. The MX WAN Appliance supports sending four categories of messages/roles: Event Log, IDS Alerts, URLs, and Flows. MR access points can send the same roles with the exception of IDS alerts. MS switches currently only support Event Log messages.

To begin setting up a Syslog server on the Meraki dashboard, first, navigate to Network-Wide > Configure > General. Here you will see a section for Reporting, with the option for Syslog server configurations. Click on the Add a syslog server link to define a new server. Configure an IP address of your syslog server, the UDP port the server is listening on, and the roles you wish to be reported to the server.

In Appliance-only, Switch-only, and Wireless-only Dashboard Networks, syslog servers will be added under the "Logging" section instead of "Reporting".

If the Flows role is enabled for Meraki MX reporting, logging for individual firewall rules can be enabled/disabled on the Security & SD-WAN > Configure > Firewall page, under the Logging column as shown below:

Additional Considerations for Syslog

If the Syslog Server is across a VPN tunnel, the Syslog traffic source will be a 6.X.X.X address. This is especially true in VPN Concentrator mode or in Routed/NAT mode in Single LAN configuration.

Storage Allocation

Syslog messages can take up a large amount of disk space, especially when collecting flows. When deciding on a host to run the syslog server, make sure to have enough storage space on the host to hold the logs. Consult the syslog-ng man page for further information on only keeping logs for a certain amount of time.

Expected Traffic Flow

Syslog traffic may flow to the syslog in one of three scenarios depending on the route type that is used to reach the syslog server. Below are example scenarios and a detailing of expected traffic behavior.

Scenario 1 - Reachable via LAN

The MX will source traffic from the VLAN interface that the server resides in if the syslog server is located on the LAN of the MX. The transit VLAN interface would be used if the device is only accessible via static route.

Scenario 2 - Reachable via Public Interface

The MX will source traffic from the public interface (WAN) if the syslog server is accessible via the WAN link.

Scenario 3 - Reachable via AutoVPN

The MX will source traffic from the interface of the highest VLAN that is participating in AutoVPN if the syslog server is accessible via AutoVPN.

If the traffic passes through the site-to-site AutoVPN connection the traffic will then be subject to the 'Site-to-site outbound firewall' rules and as such an allow rule may be required. This can be configured in Security & SD-WAN > Configure > Site-to-site VPN > Organization-wide settings > Add a rule as shown below.

Screen Shot 2021-02-24 at 3.11.42 PM.png

API Reporting

Meraki devices also support the capability to use API calls to gather statistics and other information from your Meraki networks. The Dashboard API is a powerful, yet flexible, open-ended tool for a multitude of use cases. The following section will go into detail on the possible use cases for device and network reporting.

Enabling and Configuring the Dashboard API

When logged into the dashboard, navigate to Organization > Configure > Settings. There is a section labeled Dashboard API Access, and it is here the dashboard API can be enabled by checking the checkbox for Enable access to the Cisco Meraki Dashboard API.

Once that is enabled, navigate to the Meraki user profile page to generate an API key. There should be a link below the enable option to take you to your Meraki profile page. Otherwise, your profile page can be found by clicking on your username in the top right corner, then selecting My Profile. On your profile page, there is a section for API access and it is here a unique API key can be generated for the Meraki dashboard user account.

After clicking on the Generate new API key button, a window that contains the unique API key for your individual user will be displayed. It is critical that this API key is recorded down as once this window closes, the full key cannot be viewed on the Meraki dashboard. Once the key is copied down, check the checkbox for I have stored my new API key, and then click Done.

The page will refresh, and under the API access section, the API key that was just generated will display. Only the last 4 digits of the key will be displayed for security purposes.

NOTE: Only you will be able to view your unique API key. No one else that has access to the Meraki dashboard (including Meraki Support) is able to view your API key.

API Endpoints for Meraki Device and Network Reporting

API Endpoint	API Call	Description
Client Security Events	Get Network Appliance Client Security Events	Gathers data on all security events for a specified dashboard network
Clients	Get Device Clients	Gathers data on all client devices connected to specific Meraki device, up to a maximum of one month

Devices	Get Network Device Loss and Latency History	Displays data on uplink loss percentage and latency (in milliseconds) for Meraki security appliance
Devices	Get Network Device Performance	Returns the performance score for a specified device. (Only MX security appliances are supported for this API call at this time)
Devices	Get Network Device Uplink	Returns the current uplink information of a specified device.
Devices	Get Network Devices	Lists all devices in the specified network
MV Sense	Get Device Camera Analytics Live	Returns live state form camera of analytics zones configured
MV Sense	Get Device Camera Analytics Overview	Returns overview of aggregate analytics data for timespan specified
MV Sense	Get Device Camera Analytics Recent	Returns the most recent record for analytics zones configured
MV Sense	Get Device Camera Analytics Zone History	Returns historical records for analytic zones configured
MV Sense	Get Device Camera Analytics Zones	Returns all configured analytic zones for specified camera
Networks	Get Network Air Marshal	Lists the Air Marshal scan results for the specified network
Networks	Get Network Traffic	Gathers traffic analysis data for the specified network
Organizations	Get Organization Device Statuses	Lists the current status is every Meraki device in the specified Organization
Organizations	Get Organization License State	Returns the license state for the specified Organization
Organizations	Get Organization Uplinks Loss and Latency	Returns the uplink loss and latency measurements for every MX in the Organization. (From 2 - 7 minutes ago)
Splash Login Attempts	Get Network Splash Login Attempts	Lists the number of login attempts for a splashpage on the specified network
Wireless Health	Get Network Clients Connection Stats	Gathers aggregated connectivity information for wireless clients in the specified network
Wireless Health	Get Network Clients Latency Stats	Gathers aggregated wireless latency for clients on the specified network
Wireless Health	Get Network Connection Stats	Gathers aggregated connectivity data for the specified network
Wireless Health	Get Network Devices Connection Status	Lists client connectivity data on a per-AP basis for the specified network
Wireless Health	Get Network Devices Latency Stats	Lists the amount of wireless latency data on a per-AP basis for the specified network
Wireless Health	Get Network Failed Connections	Lists all failed client connection events on the specified network based on time frame given
Wireless Health	Get Network Latency Stats	Lists aggregated wireless latency information for the entirety of the specified network

To learn more about using API with the Meraki dashboard, please visit Cisco Meraki DevNet at https://developer.cisco.com/meraki/

Meraki Dashboard Webhooks

Meraki Webhooks are a powerful and lightweight way to subscribe to alerts sent from the Meraki Cloud if an event takes place that sets off a configured dashboard alert. They include a JSON formatted message and are sent to a unique URL where they can be processed, stored or used to trigger powerful automations. This solution provides you with a rapid way to setup a hosted service capable of receiving and storing any webhook alert data.

Webhooks support all configurable alert types available in the dashboard under Network-wide > Configure > Alerts. This includes a variety of alerts for all product types that you own or operate. The webhooks architecture consists of the Meraki cloud and a cloud-accessible HTTP or HTTPS receiver (server). There are a variety of standalone cloud webhook services (e.g. hook.io, Zapier, etc.) that are able to receive and/or forward webhooks.

Webhooks Dashboard Setup

To configure Webhooks on the Meraki dashboard, navigate to Network-Wide > Configure > Alerts. On the Alerts page, you will see a section for Webhooks. From here, click on Add an HTTP server, and configure the server URLs as shown below.

Now that the HTTP servers are specified for Webhooks alerts, the servers need to be specified as recipients for Dashboard alerts.

Zapier and Built.io are tools that can be used to integrate and automate API applications. Either can be used for the setup of Meraki dashboard Webhooks.

For more information about setting up and using Webhooks, please visit https://developer.cisco.com/meraki/webhooks/

Additional Webhooks Considerations

See Additional Alerting Considerations for event types which will be rate limited.

SNMP Configuration

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) allows network administrators to query devices for various types of information. Meraki allows SNMP polling to gather information either from the dashboard or directly from Meraki devices themselves, including MR access points, MS switches, and MX security appliances. Third party network monitoring tools can use SNMP to monitor certain parameters on Meraki devices.

SNMP Device Information

The following information below can be polled from the Meraki dashboard

Device MAC address
Device Serial number
Device Name
Device Status (Online or Offline)
Device Last Contacted - Date and Time
Mesh Status (Gateway or Repeater)
Public IP Address
Product Code (e.g. MR18-HW)
Product Description (e.g. Meraki Cloud-controller 802.11n AP)
Name of the Network that the device resides in (Dashboard Network)
Packets/Bytes In/Out on each physical interface

Standard MIB support

SNMP servers use a Management Information Base, or MIB, which is a database of SNMP Object Identifiers, or OIDs. OIDs identify the managed objects that inform the SNMP server on what values to poll from the device.

The Meraki dashboard and Meraki SNMP capable devices support the following standard MIBs:

SNMPv2-MIB .1.3.6.1.2.1.1
IF-MIB .1.3.6.1.2.1

Meraki Proprietary MIB

The Meraki dashboard has its own proprietary MIB to allow SNMP servers to pull data and information from the Meraki dashboard. This MIB document can be located and downloaded from the dashboard under Organization > Configure > Settings > SNMP. The Meraki Cloud MIB cannot be used to poll information from Meraki devices directly, as it is designed strictly for Dashboard information.

Configuration Options

Dashboard SNMP Polling

The Meraki dashboard can be configured for SNMP polling under Organization > Configure > Settings > SNMP. Here you see two options for SNMP configuration which is SNMP Version 2C and Version 3. Once SNMP has been enabled you will be able to send the SNMP requests to the host that is defined directly under the enable setting. The community string and a sample command to extract information via SNMP requests are then displayed as well.

NOTE: There are three versions available for configuration for SNMP. These versions are: Version 1, Version 2c, and Version 3

Versions 1 and 2c allow for a simple community string to be defined. This string will be used between the SNMP server and reporting devices to validate the connection
Version 3 includes authentication and encryption for added security. Version 3 requires that a username and password be defined

IP restrictions can be configured to restrict SNMP access to particular sources. SNMP versions 1 and 2 send the community string in clear text, so IP restrictions would be useful to prevent unauthorized SNMP access if the community string is intercepted or learned by another party.

Local Device SNMP Polling

Individual Meraki devices can also be polled locally. In this scenario the SNMP traffic would stay within the local network and each device would need to be polled from the network management system. These settings can be found under Network-wide > Configure > General > SNMP:

SNMP Traps

We recommend considering using webhooks instead of SNMP traps if your network environment allows for it, as webhooks have greater coverage.

SNMP traps are proactive SNMP messages that are sent out when specific networking events take place. SNMP traps are very useful for real-time alerting for your networking environment. SNMP traps can be configured to be sent from the Meraki cloud. SNMP traps are closely related to the possible Alerts that can be configured for your network. SNMP traps use SHA1 for authentication and AES for privacy.

SNMP Traps can be configured under Network-Wide > Configure > Alerts. The SNMP Traps section will be set to Disabled. Again, you will have the option to enable SNMP Version 2c or Version 3.

In the example below, the SNMP Access level is set to V3 (username/password). Specify a valid SNMP user by clicking on Add an SNMP user. Input the desired username and password that is also configured on the SNMP server. Once that is done, enter in the Receiving server IP address, which will need to be a public IP address. It is best practice to configure the receiving server ports with either UDP port 161 or 162, as these are the default ports SNMP servers listen on.

If the SNMP server is behind a NAT device, a port forwarding rule will need to be configured to allow the SNMP traffic through. This due to the nature of the SNMP traps being sent from the Meraki cloud controller. Be sure to specify the correct LAN IP address of the SNMP server, as well as the UDP ports it is listening on.

Defining SNMP Traps to be Sent

SNMP traps are closely tied to the alerts that can be configured under Network-Wide > Configure > Alerts. In order for SNMP traps to be generated, SNMP must be configured as a recipient for the alert to generate the SNMP trap. Either SNMP can be input as a default recipient so all enabled alerts generate a trap, or SNMP can be configured on a per alert basis.

Once SNMP traps are enabled and configured to send, alerts that trigger SNMP traps to be sent must be enabled and set up appropriately. Below is a list of SNMP traps, and their respective dashboard alerts.

SNMP Trap Sent	Meraki Dashboard Alert	Alert Category
Settings Changed	Configuration settings are changed	Network-Wide
VPN Connectivity Change	A VPN connection comes up or goes down	Network-Wide
Foreign AP Detected	A rogue access point is detected	Network-Wide
Device Goes Down/Device Comes Online	A gateway goes offline	Wireless
Device Goes Down/Device Comes Online	A repeater goes offline	Wireless
Gateway to Repeater	A gateway becomes a repeater	Wireless
Device Goes Down/Device Comes Online	A WAN appliance goes offline	WAN Appliance
Uplink Status Changed	Primary uplink status changes	WAN Appliance
No DHCP leases	The DHCP lease pool is exhausted	WAN Appliance
IP Conflict	An IP conflict is detected	WAN Appliance
Cellular Network Up/Cellular Network Down	Cellular connection state changes	WAN Appliance
Rogue DHCP Server	A rogue DHCP is detected	WAN Appliance
Warm Spare Failover Detected	A warm spare failover occurs	WAN Appliance
Malware Blocked	Malware is blocked	WAN Appliance
Malware Detected	Malware is downloaded	WAN Appliance
Device Goes Down/Device Comes Online	A switch goes offline	Switch
New DHCP Server Alert	A new DHCP server is detected on the network	Switch
Port Disconnected/Port Connected	Any port goes down	Switch
Port Cable Error	Any port detects a cable error	Switch
Port Speed Change	Any port changes link speed	Switch
Power Supply Down/Power Supply Up	A power supply goes down	Switch
Redundant Power Supply Backup/Redundant Power Supply Back to Primary	A redundant power supply is powering a switch	Switch
UDLD Error	Unidirectional link detection (UDLD) errors exist on a port	Switch
Critical Temperature	A switch is operating at critical temperature	Switch
Device Goes Down/Device Comes Online	A camera goes offline	Camera
Device Goes Down/Device Comes Online	A cellular gateway goes offline	Cellular Gateway

SNMP traps cannot be sent for any Systems Manager alerts. If a trap and its associated alert is not listed above, Meraki devices do not send traps for it.

Also note that if devices go down and are not communicating with the dashboard, the trap will be sent after the specified amount of time configured for the alert.