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Cisco Meraki Documentation

MS250 Overview and Specifications

Overview 

The Cisco Meraki MS250 series switches provide reliable access switching ideal for deploying in branches and small campuses. With stacking capabilities and 10G SFP+ uplinks on every model, redundancy and performance are guaranteed. This family also supports redundant, field-replaceable power supplies for mission-critical networks.

With 5 different models, capable of providing up to 740W of PoE+ power over a variety of port densities, including SFP+ capable uplinks, the MS250 line is fully ready to support branch and small campus infrastructure deployments.

 

ms250-48.jpg

 

Features 

  • Managed via Cisco Meraki Dashboard 
  • Remote Packet Capture Tools via Meraki Dashboard
  • Automatic Firmware upgrades 
  • SNMP/Syslog Integration 
  • IPv4/6 ACL support 
  • 802.1q VLAN tagging  
  • L3 Switching including OSPF
  • 2x Dedicated Stack Ports providing 80G of Stacking bandwidth
  • Broadcast Storm Control 
  • Dynamic ARP Inspection / DHCP Snooping 
  • 802.1X Authentication
  • 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ45
  • 4x 1000/10000 Mbps SFP+ 
  • PoE+ models available for device level powering
  • Warm Spare capable

Configuration 

The basic initial configuration of the MS250 is just as simple as any other model of MS switch. The links below provide additional information and instructions relating to each step in getting the device setup and configured for the first time. 

  1. Claim the device to an Organization on the Meraki Dashboard
    1. If a Dashboard Organization does not yet exist, Create one
  2. Add the device to a Dashboard Network 
    1. If a Network does not yet exist, Create one first
  3. Physically connect the device to the local network
    1. Connect one of the RJ45 ports to existing infrastructure to provide a temporary uplink
    2. Power on the device and let it check in to the Dashboard
    3. If necessary, configure a Static IP through the Local Status Page to allow it to communicate with the Meraki Dashboard.
  4. Allow the device to complete check-in and perform any initial firmware upgrades
  5. Finish configuring the device from the Meraki Dashboard 
    1. Create a Switch Stack
    2. Manage local VLANs / Port configuration
    3. Configure Layer 3 Routing 

Context and Comparisons 

  MS225-48FP MS250-48LP MS250-48FP
1GbE RJ45 48 48 48
10GbE SFP+ 4 4 4
Hardware Stack Port 2 2 2
Dedicated Mgmt Interface 1 1 1
Hot Swap Power Supply - Yes, Dual Yes, Dual
Layer 3 Routing Static Routing  Yes, OSPF Yes, OSPF
Max Stacking Bandwidth 80 Gbps 80 Gbps 80 Gbps
Max Switching Capacity 176 Gbps 176 Gbps 176 Gbps

Technical Breakdown  

Hardware Breakdown

  MS250-24 MS250-24P MS250-48 MS250-48LP MS250-48FP
1GbE RJ45 24 24 48 48 48
10GbE SFP+ 4 4 4 4 4
Hardware Stack Port 2 2 2 2 2
Dedicated Mgmt Interface 1 1 1 1 1
Fan Operation Fixed Internal Fixed Internal Fixed Internal Fixed Internal Fixed Internal
Hot Swap Power Supply Yes, Dual Yes, Dual Yes, Dual Yes, Dual Yes, Dual
Optional Power Supply 2 x 250W 2 x 640W 2 x 250W 2 x 640W 2 x 1025W

Throughput and Capabilities

  MS250-24 MS250-24P MS250-48 MS250-48LP MS250-48FP
PoE/PoE+ Capable - Yes, 370W - Yes, 370W Yes, 740W
Layer 3 Routing Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Switching Capacity 128 Gbps 128 Gbps 176 Gbps 176 Gbps 176 Gbps
Stacking Bandwidth 80 Gbps 80 Gbps 80 Gbps 80 Gbps 80 Gbps

Physical 

  MS250-24 MS250-24P MS250-48 MS250-48LP MS250-48FP
Mount Type 1U Rack Mount 1U Rack Mount 1U Rack Mount 1U Rack Mount 1U Rack Mount
Dimensions (h x w x d)

1.72 x 19 x 14.89in

(4.38 x 48.46 x 37.8cm)

1.72 x 19 x 14.89in

(4.38 x 48.46 x 37.8cm)

1.72 x 19 x 18.82in
(4.38 x 48.46 x 47.8cm)
1.72 x 19 x 18.82in
(4.38 x 48.46 x 47.8cm)
1.72 x 19 x 20.42in
(4.38 x 48.46 x 51.87cm)
Weight 9.9 lb (4.5 kg) 10.59 lb (4.8 kg) 11.56 lb (5.24 kg) 12.37 lb (5.61 kg) 12.83 lb (5.82 kg)
Power Load (idle/max) 14 / 27 W 15 / 434 W 24 / 44 W 46 / 480 W 25 / 874 W
Operating Temperature  23 °F - 122 °F
-5°C - 50°C
23 °F - 122 °F
-5°C - 50°C
23 °F - 122 °F
-5°C - 50°C
23 °F - 122 °F
-5°C - 50°C
23 °F - 122 °F
-5°C - 50°C
Humidity 5% to 95% 5% to 95% 5% to 95% 5% to 95% 5% to 95%

Troubleshooting 

The MS uses LEDs to inform the user of the device's status. When the device powers on, all the Internet LEDs flash twice. Additional functions are described below, from left to right.

Front Panel Components

Item

Function

LED Status

Meaning

1

Power

Solid orange

Switch is unable to connect to the Meraki cloud

   

Flashing white

Firmware upgrade in process

   

Solid white

Switch is fully operational and connected to the Meraki cloud

   

Off

Switch does not have power

2 Restore N/A Restore button to clear switch IP and local configuration settings

3

Switch Ports

Off

No link is detected on this port

   

Solid orange

10/100 Mbps (1 Gbps on SFP+)

   

Solid green

1 Gbps (10 Gbps on SFP+)

In addition, there is a RESTORE button available on the front panel.

Insert a paperclip if a restore is required.

  • A brief, momentary press: To delete a downloaded configuration and reboot.

  • Press and hold for more than 10 sec: To force the unit into a full factory restore.

 

Back Panel Components

Item

Function

LED Status

Meaning

1

Management Interface

Green

Connected, used for easy access to the local status page

2

Stack Ports

Green

QSFP stacking cable is connected

    Off No link is detected on this port

3

Redundant Power Supplies

Green

Active and functional power supplies

 

Power cords may be ordered separately. 

Equipment is to be used only in a restricted access location and installed/operated only by trained service personnel.

Common Troubleshooting

My device is connected to the network but not checking in to the Meraki cloud or shows a solid Orange LED.

Confirm that the device is powered on and has a valid IP address that is able to access the Internet. Use the Local Status Page to get more information about the connectivity status of the device such as if it can successfully reach the Local Gateway, Internet, and/or Meraki Cloud servers. If necessary, contact Meraki Support for additional assistance.

 

My Status LED is blinking WHITE 

A blinking WHITE Status LED indicates that the device is in contact with the Dashboard Cloud servers and is performing a firmware update. This can sometimes take 20-45 minutes or more to complete depending on hardware and other factors.

 

My Status LED is blinking ORANGE

The device is not able to successfully communicate with the Dashboard Cloud servers or there may be a hardware issue with the device. Check the Local Status Page of the device to confirm the status and reach out to Meraki Support for further troubleshooting. 

 

Event Log 

The most common Event Log messages and their meaning are listed below.

Port STP change

Indicates the STP state of the port has changed, lists the relevant port number, previous, and new states. Typically accompanied by a 'Port status change' event.

Port status change

Indicates the link state of the port has changed, lists the relevant port number, old, and new state. Always accompanied by a 'Port STP change' event. 

SFP module inserted/removed 

Indicates that an SFP module was either inserted or removed, includes SFP module information for inserted events and always lists the relevant port number. 

Common Stacking Alerts 

View our dedicated Switch Stacking document for more detailed information about configuring a Switch Stack and common issues.

Ensure all stack members are configured on dashboard, online and connected via their stacking ports.

Note: If connected and configured correctly, the alert will disappear within up to 1 hour. If the error persists, please contact Cisco Meraki Technical Support for further troubleshooting.

This switch's current stack members differ from the dashboard configuration.

This switch's current stack members differ from the dashboard configuration

This error can occur in the following scenarios:

  • Stack members are configured on dashboard, but not all members are connected via their stacking ports.
  • A stack member has failed or is powered off.

This switch is not connected to a stack.

This switch is not connected to a stack

This error can occur in the following scenarios:

  • The switch is configured on dashboard as a stack member, but is not connected to a stack.

This switch does not have a stack configuration.

This switch does not have a stack configuration

This error can occur in the following scenarios:

  • The switch is physically connected as a stack, but not configured on dashboard as a stack member.

 

 

 

 

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