Axis Device Onboarding with Meraki Dashboard

Supported Axis Camera Models

This integration supports a wide range of Axis device models. Refer to the Axis compatibility documentation for the complete list of supported models

Configure Your Network in Meraki Dashboard

1. Navigate to dashboard.meraki.com
2. Log into your existing Cisco Meraki organization or create a new one using the Create an account option
3. Ensure your network is properly configured to support devices
4. Verify network switches are properly configured if using PoE
5. Confirm firewall rules allow outbound connections to Axis Cloud Connect and Cisco Meraki cloud services

Claim Your Cisco Software License

• Essential license requires no change to your existing solution while adding a layer of visibility and management on top, accessible via Dashboard. ​

• Advantage license allows you to fully cloud manage your Axis devices via the dashboard eliminating the need to support multiple VMS's or on-prem NVR. This requires the camera to have a local SD card or cloud storage enabled (30-day cloud storage is included with the license) for historical footage.

• When adding devices under an Advantage license, we recommend verifying your existing Axis third-party integrations to ensure a smooth transition. Testing with a few devices will help confirm that your current configurations remain fully compatible and operational.

License Comparison  

Feature	Essentials Tier	Advantage Tier
Live Video Streaming	✓	✓
Device Health Monitoring	✓	✓
Fleet Management	✓	✓
Managed Firmware Updates	✓	✓
Configuration Management	✓	✓
Local SD Card Recording	✗	✓
Cloud Video Storage	✗	✓ (30 days- Included)
Video Export	✗	✓
Video Analytics	✗	✓
Cloud-Based Historical Playback	✗	✓

 

1. Navigate to Organization > License Info in the Meraki Dashboard
2. Select Claim and enter your license key
3. Select the appropriate option to add or renew licenses and submit the license claim
4. Verify the license appears in your organization
5. If you have an EA or subscription license, skip steps 1-4

Enable Axis Integration

Skip the following steps if at least one Axis device is already managed via the dashboard in the org 

1. Navigate to Organization > Integrations in the dashboard
2. Select the Axis integration option
3. Select Connect to Axis in the top right corner
4. Review the integration description and features

Authenticate with Axis Cloud Connect

1. You will be redirected to the Axis portal
2. Log in or create an Axis Org
3. Approve the secure OAuth2 connection to link Cisco Meraki and Axis
4. Select the appropriate Axis organization to share data from (if multiple organizations exist)
5. Click Approve to complete the authentication

View Devices

1. Once back in the Meraki dashboard, view the list of Axis devices that are connected to your Cisco cloud-managed switches or already managed from the Dashboard
2. Review device information including:

• Device Compatibility (Fully Supported, Needs Attention, Unsupported)
• Model 
• Axis OS version
• Onboarding status
• Connected Switch
• Serial number, etc.

3. Identify devices ready for claiming based on their status

Claim Devices

1. Click Add devices on the top right corner of the Axis integration page
   • Choose the appropriate onboarding method:

• Option 1: Meraki Networks

1. Select this option when devices are connected to Cisco switches managed on the dashboard
2. Devices connected to Cisco switches are automatically discovered
3. You can claim one, few, or all devices in one operation
4. Requires local username and password for the devices

• Option 2: OAK & Serial

1. Select for brand new out-of-the-box devices not yet plugged in
2. Select for devices plugged into non-Cisco switches
3. Requires serial number and OAK (Owner Authentication Key)

• Option 3: Axis Cloud Connect

1. Select for devices already added to Axis Cloud Connect but not managed on dashboard

 2. Follow the on-screen prompts for your selected method

 3. Enter required credentials or device information

 4. Click Continue to proceed with claiming

Offline or Staged Camera Onboarding

The onboarding flow supports asynchronous operation:

1. A device can be claimed while offline
2. The Meraki Axis Camera Application Platform (ACAP) will fetch configuration automatically once device comes online
3. The One-Click(O3C) functionality can be triggered directly on the device or via local device interface to complete onboarding

Benefits:

• Pre-stage devices before deployment
• Configure settings before installation
• Reduce on-site installation time

Explore Device Features

Once your device is onboarded and online, you can access various features:

• Video Management and Export:
  • View live video streams directly in Meraki Dashboard
  • Access historical video recordings (Advantage only)
  • Export video clips for investigation or evidence
• Device Health:
  • Monitor device status and connectivity
  • View and configure device health reporting via alerts
  • Check firmware version and update status
• Network Tools and Troubleshooting:
  • Ping: Test network connectivity to camera
  • Reboot device: Remotely restart camera
  • Traceroute: Diagnose network path issues
  • Packet capture: Capture traffic sent out of the network interface via dashboard
• Camera Settings:
  • Configure zoom, Aperture and Focus for compatible devices
  • Configure video quality and resolution (Advantage only)
  • Set up motion detection zones (Advantage only)
  • Adjust device angles remotely (for PTZ models)
  • Configure analytics and event triggers ((Advantage only))

Bulk Claiming with Automation Scripts

For large deployments with multiple devices, manual onboarding can be time-consuming. The following automation scripts help you collect device information (Serial Number and OAK) that is required for bulk claiming in the Meraki Dashboard as well as virtually enable One-Click Connect to cloud required for devices to fetch configuration.  

Frequetly Asked Questions

 

1. Which Cisco Meraki dashboard features will be supported on my Axis devices with this partnership?

We initially launched with just the Essentials license in April 2026 for those whose business needs center around basic centralized monitoring and management. As of June 23, 2026, we’re excited to also oDer the Advantage license, which expands capabilities to include video analytics and more. Here’s what users can expect from each tier: 

Essentials License
- Management of Axis devices using Cisco Meraki dashboard, enabling a single pane of glass for IT admins
- Automated device claiming, device configuration, management, and status visibility within the Cisco Meraki dashboard
- Secure connectivity between Axis devices and the Cisco Meraki dashboard
- Firmware upgrade management through the Cisco Meraki platform
- Automatic device discovery, zero-touch onboarding, topology diagrams, and more when paired with Cisco cloud-managed networking (optional)

Advantage License
- Everything in the Essentials License, PLUS
- Historical playback and video exports
- Ability to configure recorded video quality and retention settings to optimize storage
- Video analytics tools like:
      - AI-powered event search with video filtering based on the presence of a person or vehicle
      - Motion alerts
      - Motion heatmaps
- On-camera SD card recording
- 30-day cloud storage

2. Are there any plans to expand the Cisco Meraki dashboard feature set supported by Axis devices?

Yes. This marks the beginning of our partnership, and both companies are committed to expanding the available features over time, guided by customer needs and feedback.

3. How will this solution impact my current Cisco smart cameras (MV)?

It will not have any impact. Your existing Cisco smart cameras (MV) will continue to operate exactly as they do today. If you choose to add Axis devices to your network, you will be able to monitor and manage them alongside your existing Cisco MV devices within the same Meraki dashboard. 

4. How will this solution impact my current Axis devices?

With the Essentials license, your existing Axis devices will continue to operate as they do today, without any changes. If you choose the Advantage license, a firmware upgrade is required which may cause a one-time disruption to your deployment. Either license will allow you to manage compatible Axis devices via the Meraki dashboard.

5. Will this update be backwards compatible? Will I be able to manage my existing Axis devices via the Cisco Meraki dashboard?

Select Axis devices are backwards compatible with the Cisco solution. Specific device compatibility can be found here

6. How do I add Axis devices to my Cisco Meraki dashboard?

Prerequisites:
• Compatible Axis device hardware
• Cisco software licenses for the Meraki dashboard management

Onboarding Steps:
• Set Up the Dashboard: Create a Meraki dashboard organization at dashboard.meraki.com or log in to an existing organization.
• Claim Licenses: Navigate to Organization > Licenses and claim your Cisco software licenses.
• Enable Axis Integration: Go to Organization > Integrations and enable Axis integration.
• Authenticate with Axis: You will be redirected to the Axis portal to log in or create an organization. Once authenticated, you will be returned to the 
Meraki dashboard.
• Add Axis Devices: Navigate to Organization > Integrations > Axis and select Claim to enter the Axis device serial number and OAK.
• Assign Devices to a Network: Add the claimed devices to a network in your Meraki dashboard.
• Connect Hardware: Connect the Axis hardware to a network switch (if not already connected) and allow a few minutes for communication.
• Verify Status: The device will appear in the dashboard, displaying its connection status and live video stream.

7. Can I still use my Axis devices with a local VMS as well as the Cisco Meraki cloud dashboard?

Yes. If you select the Essentials license, your existing connection to a local VMS will remain unchanged, allowing you to continue operating both systems in parallel. However, if you select the Advantage license, the Cisco Meraki dashboard will serve as the exclusive VMS for your devices. In this case, the device will require either an Axis SD card for video storage or the included 30-day cloud storage option to be enabled, which can be accessed through the Cisco Meraki dashboard.

8. How will the Cisco licensing for managing Axis devices work? Will it differ from standard Cisco smart camera (MV) licensing model, and if so, how?

Cisco’s licenses for managing Axis devices will follow the Cisco smart cameras (MV) model, under new SKUs that are distinct from existing MV licenses. These new licenses will be priced separately and offered in two tiers:

Management-only License (Essentials): Enables live video streaming, device monitoring, firmware management, and troubleshooting utilities through the Meraki 
dashboard. Essentials will be available starting April 14, 2026.

Advanced License (Advantage): Includes everything within Essentials. Also provides access to historical video with cloud backup, video exports, video wall functionality, analytics, and eligibility for additional features as they are introduced. Advantage will be available June 23, 2026.

Like all Cisco Meraki devices, licenses operate on a co-term, enterprise agreement or subscription basis and each managed Axis device requires one license.

9. How do I order Axis devices?

Axis hardware is available for purchase today via Axis’s distribution channel partners.

10.How do I order Meraki dashboard management licenses?

This product line is available through channel partners authorized to order Axis hardware and Cisco software licenses.

11.When is the expected availability date for the Essentials and Advantage device management licenses? 

Both the Essentials and the Advantage license are available to order as of June 23, 2026.

12.What up-time guarantees and reliability measures do you provide?

The Cisco Meraki Dashboard is backed by a Service Level Agreement (SLA) that guarantees 99.99% uptime, ensuring high availability for cloud-managed 
networking. For detailed information on reliability and security standards, please visit the Meraki Trust Center: https://meraki.cisco.com/trust/

13.What compliance standards are supported?

The joint solution is ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type 2 compliant, satisfying the mandatory security requirements often required for business tenders.

14.How are updates handled, and is there downtime?

Essentials license customers can see firmware status and push updates manually from the dashboard.

Advantage license customers have access to automatic updates, which occur in the background with zero disruption to the user experience. Customers have an option to choose a maintenance window —either organization-wide or per-network — and firmware updates will be performed within the specified timeframe.

For AXIS OS upgrades, customers can choose between manual or automatic modes (enabled by default for security); these specific updates require a brief reboot, resulting in minimal downtime

15.How are user permissions and access levels managed?

The Meraki Dashboard supports multiple access levels tailored to different user roles, including multi-factor authentication. For more details on configuring these permissions, please visit: Managing Dashboard Access

16.How can I upgrade or downgrade my plan?

Organizations can only support a single license tier (Essentials or Advantage) at a given time. Customers should acquire the correct license version at the time of initial purchase. Plans cannot be upgraded or downgraded by customers mid-term. If a customer needs to upgrade or downgrade, they must contact their account team.

17.What Support options are available for this solution?

Support is available through familiar Axis and Cisco channels. A high-level issue matrix will guide customers to the appropriate team for faster resolution. If unsure, you can open a case with either team; our backend integration ensures both teams can collaborate on a single case with unified email communication. Axis support is available 24x5, and Cisco support is available 24x7.