Cloud Managed Catalyst Switches FAQs
General FAQs
What is the difference between cloud configuration and device configuration for cloud-managed switches?
Cloud managed Catalyst switches connect to Meraki dashboard to enable a single pane of glass experience to simplify network operations. There are two options for the configuration source depending on specific needs in your environment.
With cloud configuration, you can use Meraki dashboard and Meraki APIs to configure your switches. The authoritative source for all configuration is the Meraki cloud.
With device configuration, you are able to configure your switch locally via the CLI or using other tools. You have the same cloud management experience in Meraki dashboard as other switches aside from how you configure your switch. The authoritative source for the switch configuration is stored locally on the device.
Configuration: Cloud
Why are we noticing a firmware name change from CS to IOS XE for cloud-managed Catalyst switches with cloud configuration?
CS17 was a combination of IOS XE and a Meraki management layer. The Meraki management layer is now natively integrated with IOS XE. Moving forward, we will refer to the firmware by the IOS XE version number. Until IOS XE 17.15 graduates from beta to stable, customers will see both CS17 and IOS XE 17.15 options on the Meraki dashboard firmware upgrades page (Organization > Monitor > Firmware Upgrades). After the stable release of IOS XE, customers will only see IOS XE versions moving forward.
How do I onboard my switches running the latest cloud-native IOS XE version to cloud management with cloud configuration?
There are two ways to onboard your Catalyst switches to cloud management with cloud configuration:
- Firmware Upgrade: Catalyst switches that are already cloud-managed by the Meraki dashboard and running CS16 or CS17 firmware can be upgraded to the latest IOS XE version, starting with 17.15.1.
- Migration: Supported Catalyst switches that are not yet managed by the Meraki dashboard can upgrade to the latest IOS XE version, starting with 17.15.1 via CLI. To register and onboard the switches to the Meraki dashboard, follow steps in this documentation: Migration from CLI-managed Catalyst Switches to Meraki Cloud Operating Mode.
Can I revert to the previous CS firmware version after upgrading to cloud-native IOS XE?
Due to complexities in restoring the container-based architecture, downgrades from cloud-native IOS XE to any prior CS firmware via the dashboard is restricted. A factory reset may be required and support assistance will be necessary. Please consider this before upgrading your production network to the cloud-native IOS XE version. Before upgrading or migrating your switches to the cloud-native IOS XE version, review important considerations by clicking here.
Note that C9200Ls cannot be reverted to a cloud firmware version; they can only be switched back to DNA management mode. For help with this, please contact Support.
Can I have different firmware versions in one network?
You can have one firmware version for Meraki switches (MS) and one version for Catalyst-based switches (CS). All Catalyst switches in one Dashboard network with cloud configuration will have the same firmware version. If you want to run different versions, you will need to create multiple networks within an organization.
If I encounter an issue, how should I engage support?
If you do encounter any issues, please get in touch with Cisco Meraki Support so we can address them as soon as possible. Cisco Meraki Support is available 24/7 for assistance. Refer to the Contacting Support page for more information.
What features are exclusive to IOS XE compared to CS17?
Show Terminal and Command Runner (show CLI) enhances troubleshooting by enabling the use of all IOS-XE show commands. The architectural improvements in the Cloud-Native IOS XE platform lead to better SSO HA, quicker reboots, and increased responsiveness to configuration changes. Additionally, C9200L migration is exclusively supported with Cloud-Native IOS XE.
Migration and Licensing
If I want to convert my Catalyst switch from Meraki cloud management with cloud configuration to device configuration, what is the process?
If you wish to convert your Cisco Catalyst switches from cloud configuration to device configuration, contact Meraki Support. You'll need to acquire a DNA license, but you can request a Return Materials Authorization (RMA) for your Meraki license and receive a credit for the purchase of the DNA license. Also note, this will reset the switch to its factory default settings and erase all configurations from the switch. Please see page 2 on this quick start guide for questions related to license returns: Migrating Meraki Management Mode to Cisco DNA Management Mode.
Will a Meraki license be required to convert my Catalyst switches from device configuration to cloud configuration using cloud-native IOS XE today?
In general, license attachment is required for any cloud-managed Catalyst switch with cloud configuration. However, license enforcement will not occur until the stable release of IOS XE 17.15 becomes available. We will have more updates on our plan for license enforcement in the first quarter of 2026.
Please refer to page 4 on this migration guide for the existing DNA license migration process: Migrating DNA Management Mode to Meraki Management Mode.
You can also obtain a new Meraki license which will be available to purchase closer to the stable release of cloud-native IOS XE.
Additional Resources
I noticed there are two different conversion paths for C9300 from device configuration to cloud configuration. Which one should I use?
Refer to the Cloud-Native IOS XE page and the table below for more details:
| Category | Product | Firmware Needs | Path |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switching Conversion from device configuration to cloud configuration | Catalyst 9300 and C9200L from DNA | NEW! cloud-native IOS XE (currently a stable release candidate) |
Follow this migration process: Migration from CLI-managed Catalyst Switches to Meraki Cloud Operating Mode (Please note, C9200L migration is only supported with cloud-native IOS XE) |
| Switching Conversion from device configuration to cloud configuration | Catalyst 9300 | stable firmware |
Follow this migration process: Migrating DNA Management Mode to Meraki Management Mode (Migrated switches will run CS) |
What is the upgrade process for cloud-managed Catalyst switches transitioning from any CS firmware version to a cloud-native IOS XE version?
Detailed information on the upgrade process can be found in this guide: Upgrade Steps for Cloud-Managed Catalyst Switches in Cloud Operating Mode
What is the migration process from device configuration to cloud configuration with cloud-native IOS XE firmware?
Detailed information on the migration process can be found in this guide: Migration from CLI-managed Catalyst Switches to Meraki Cloud Operating Mode
Configuration: Device
What is the difference between cloud management with device configuration and Cloud Monitoring for Catalyst?
Cloud-managed switches with device configuration replace Cloud Monitoring for Catalyst as the Meraki Dashboard-based solution for connecting Catalyst switches. This option retains full CLI access and configuration options in IOS XE. Cloud Monitoring supports switches with IOS XE up to 17.12.3, while cloud management with device configuration is available starting with IOS XE 17.15.3.
Cloud managed switches with device configuration offer seamless onboarding directly through the Dashboard, unlike the onboarding application used by Cloud Monitoring for Catalyst.
Switches with device configuration also offer an opt-in full CLI console for configuration changes from the Dashboard. See Cloud CLI for Cloud-Native IOS XE for more details.
What is the difference between cloud configuration and device configuration?
There are two options for the configuration source: cloud or device. The option selected determines the authoritative source for the configuration of the switch.
Cloud-managed switches with cloud configuration offer full cloud management through the Dashboard. Configuration of switches in Dashboard is similar to Meraki MS switches, without local CLI access.
Cloud-managed switches with device configuration connect to the Dashboard, allowing view of configurations and alerts using a single pane of glass experience. Configuration in Dashboard is not available, but CLI/SSH connectivity is supported.
What switches are supported for device configuration?
Device configuration mode is currently supported on Catalyst 9200 and 9300 Series switches. Support for Catalyst 9500 Series switches is coming soon.
What are the pre-requisites for enabling a switch for device configuration mode?
Click here to review all pre-requisites for enabling switches for device configuration mode.
How do I move a switch from Cloud Monitoring for Catalyst to cloud managed in device configuration mode?
Remove switches from Cloud Monitoring for Catalyst before enabling cloud management in device configuration mode. Find more details here.