Connecting C9800-CL Virtual Wireless LAN Controllers to Dashboard
Cloud-managed Hybrid C9800-CL Catalyst Wireless Controllers
C9800-CL virtual Catalyst wireless controllers can now register and connect to the Meraki dashboard. Using the new virtual catalyst registration service for Catalyst Meraki device registration, the Meraki dashboard can now provide a seamless onboarding solution for C9800-CL virtual wireless controllers. Meraki dashboard provides the same functionality for virtual Catalyst wireless controllers as the C9800 physical appliances, using the same Meraki device-to-cloud connectivity tunnel to provide a simple and secure connection for Catalyst devices to the Meraki dashboard.
For more details on the meraki tunnel and the steps for connecting physical appliance Catalyst 9800 wireless controllers to dashboard see Connecting C9800-CL Virtual Wireless LAN Controllers to Dashboard.
Meraki Tunnel Prerequisites
Before the Meraki Tunnel is enabled the C9800-CL virtual wireless controller the following is required:
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IP Routing is enabled. IP routing mode is required for the Meraki Tunnel services on the wireless controller.
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The Meraki Tunnel only supports the Global VRF.
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Domain Name Lookup is required for hostname resolution to the dashboard Registration and Meraki Tunnel services.
ip name-server {Domain server IP address}
ip domain lookup
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The Wireless controller clock must reflect the correct current time in order to establish a mutual TLS tunnel with the Registration and Meraki Tunnel services by enabling NTP services.
ntp server {ntp server IP address}
Registering the Virtual Wireless Controller Temporary Cloud ID
Connecting the C9800 wireless controller to dashboard from the command line interface is done with the configuration command service meraki connect:
C9800CL#conf t
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
C9800CL(config)#service meraki connect
When the Meraki service is started, the C9800-CL will register with the Meraki dashboard to receive a Temporary Cloud ID.
To verify the C9800-CL has successfully registered and the Meraki Tunnel is connected to dashboard, use the show meraki connect command. To find and copy the Temporary Cloud ID, scroll to Meraki Device Registration of the show meraki connect command output.
C9800-meraki-mon#sh meraki connect
Service meraki connect: enable
Service meraki connect: enable
Meraki Tunnel Config
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Fetch State: Config fetch succeeded
Fetch Fail: no failure
Last Fetch(UTC): 2023-10-13 18:43:26
Next Fetch(UTC): 2023-10-13 19:44:41
Config Server: cs253-2037.meraki.com
Primary: usw.nt.meraki.com
Secondary: use.nt.meraki.com
Client IPv6 Addr: FD0A:9B09:1F7:1:4E42:1EFF:FEBE:9360
Meraki Tunnel State
------------------------------------
Primary: Up
Secondary: Up
Primary Last Change(UTC): 2023-10-13 18:43:37
Secondary Last Change(UTC): 2023-10-13 18:43:37
Client Last Restart(UTC): 2023-10-13 18:43:26
Meraki Tunnel Interface
------------------------------------
Status: Enable
Rx Packets: 1221
Tx Packets: 1090
Rx Errors: 0
Tx Errors: 0
Rx Drop Packets: 0
Tx Drop Packets: 0
Meraki Device Registration
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url: https://vcatalyst.meraki.com/v1/vReg...rVirtualDevice
Device Number: 1
PID: C9800-CL-K9
Serial Number: 9Z3JWFZJ4CG
Cloud ID: VXXX-XXXX-XXXX
Mac Address: 00:00:00:00:00:00
Status: Retry fetching token
Error: Chassis not yet claimed in Meraki Dashboard. Cloud ID will expire at 2025-04-16 00:23:44
Timestamp(UTC): 2025-04-15 23:23:45
Cert expiry:
Under Meraki Device Registration, copy the Cloud ID.
The Temporary Cloud ID is provided in the same format as a Catalyst Cloud ID/Meraki Serial number, however the first charator for the Temporary Cloud IS is always "V"
Claim the Temporary Cloud ID to Organization Inventory
Next, you will need to claim the C9800-CL device to your Organization inventory using the Temporary Cloud ID (VXXX-XXXX-XXXX).
For HA-SSO C9800-CL deployments, you must claim both the Active and Standby WLC units temporary Cloud IDs
There is a limit of 10 C9800-CL wireless controllers per dashboard organization. Please contace Meraki support if you need to claim additional C9800-CL wireless controllers.
1. Login to dashboard and navigate to Organization > Configure > Inventory
Click + Claim devices.
2. Enter the C9800-CL wireless controller’s Temporary Cloud ID . For HA-SSO enter the Temporary Cloud ID for each C9800-CL in the pair.
The Temporary Cloud ID will expire in 60 minutes after you enable service meraki connect in the C9800-CL. If it has been longer than 60 minutes and your Temporary Cloud ID has expired, you must disable and re-enable the meraki service in the C9800-CL.
C9800CL(config)#no service meraki connect
C9800CL(config)#service meraki connect
Click Claim Device.
When the C9800-CL is claimed, a permanent Cloud ID will generated and assigned to C9800-CL. Permanent Cloud IDs will always start with "Q" (QXXX-XXXX-XXXX).
Once claimed in your Organization inventory, the Meraki Device Registration output of show meraki connect will update to show the C9800-CL permanent Cloud ID and status registered.
Meraki Device Registration
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url: https://vcatalyst.meraki.com/v1/vReg...rVirtualDevice
Device Number: 1
PID: C9800-CL-K9
Serial Number: 9Z3JWFZJ4CG
Cloud ID: QXXX-XXXX-XXXX
Mac Address: 00:00:00:00:00:00
Status: Registered
Timestamp(UTC): 2025-02-27 23:03:20
Cert expiry: 2026-03-28 23:30:12
The C9800-CL wireless controller will now be listed in your Organization inventory.
Add C980-CL Controller to Networks
Follow the steps at Adding Catalyst 9800 Wireless Controller and Access Points to Dashboard to complete the C9800-CL virtual wireless controller onboarding.
Remember to use the Permanant Cloud ID begining with "Q" to find your C9800-CL device and add it to a dashboard Network.