Meraki Go - When Bridge Mode is not Available (Auto NAT)

Bridge Mode (Default Setting)

Bridge mode expects you to already have existing network infrastructure in place to handle things like communicating with the internet (i.e. a router or modem/router combo from your internet service provider (ISP)).This is most likely the case, and is the default setting for all new Meraki Go network. This mode allows your Meraki Go access point to handle the wireless communication side of things for your network, while your existing router will handle the rest.

You should choose Bridge mode if any of the following are true:

• Your Meraki Go access point selected this setting by default

• You would like to use things like WiFi printers, or wireless speakers on your wireless network

• You aren’t sure which mode to choose

NAT Mode

NAT mode is recommended for use if you want to set up a separated Guest network for users to connect to, which is separate from your regular network. It provides functionality such as client isolation, which means users connected to the network will not be able to communicate with each other.

You should choose NAT mode if any of the following are true:

• You would like your wireless network to be a Guest network, and would like all devices on it to not be able to communicate with each other

• You would like your wireless network to be a Guest network, and would like all devices on it to not be able to communicate with each othe

If your modem is a modem/router combination (often provided by your ISP), and is already being used by the rest of your network, you will most likely want to utilize Bridge mode.

What is Auto NAT Mode?

Auto NAT Mode is an automatic configuration of NAT mode (compared to bridge mode) for your Meraki Go network, with the inability to switch your network back into Bridge mode.

Why is Bridge Mode not Available?

If your Meraki Go access point has a public IP address (an IP not listed in the ranges below), it is unlikely that the rest of the devices on your network will be able to receive an IP address from your ISP (most ISPs only provide 1 public IP address per modem). By automatically forcing your Meraki Go access point into NAT mode, we ensure that your Meraki Go access point can provide IP addresses for the rest of the devices on your network, allowing them to reach the internet.

When will Auto NAT Mode Occur?

Auto NAT mode will become enabled if your Meraki Go access point does NOT have an IP in the following ranges:

• 10.0.0.0 - 10.255.255.255

• 172.16.0.0  - 172.31.255.255

• 192.168.0.0 - 192.168.255.255

You can view the IP address of your Meraki Go access point by going to the Hardware tab > select the device > scrolling down to LAN IP

What does it do? 

Normally, a network configured in NAT mode will limit communication between wireless clients connected to the network, and only allow them to communicate with non-wireless clients on your network, or the internet.

Device to device communication gives you the ability to configure a Meraki Go network to allow wireless clients to communicate with each other (a good example of needing this may be a pair of wireless speakers, or a wireless printer)

Why don't I see the option to configure it? 

The ability to configure Device to device communication will only occur if one or more of your Meraki Go access points are configured in Auto NAT mode. 

When not in Auto NAT mode, you will not see this configuration option. This is because if you desire communication between wireless clients on your network in that instance, it is recommended to use Bridge mode.

Where can I configure it? 

Device to device communication can be configured by selecting Networks > selecting the network you want to configure > Settings > Advanced settings > Device to device communication.