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Cisco Meraki Documentation

MX84 Installation Guide

Note - The MX18.1 firmware release will be the maximum running build for MX64, MX64W, MX65, MX65W, MX84, MX100, and vMX100 platforms. These platforms will not run MX 18.2 and above firmware builds. We recommend you stay up to date with all the latest features with the next-generation hardware platforms. Please consult your sales representative for more information on the latest hardware and software releases. Thank you

This document describes how to install and set up the MX84 security appliance. Additional reference documents are available online at: www.meraki.com/library/products.

MX84 Overview

The Meraki MX84 is an enterprise security appliance designed for distributed deployments that require remote administration. It is ideal for network administrators who demand both ease of deployment and a state-of-the-art feature set. This security appliance provides the following new features:

  • USB port, to support approved 3G/4G cards for failover to cellular networks.
  • Support for eight configurable GbE (RJ45) connections.
  • Two GbE SFP connections (requires optional Meraki SFP-1GB-SX transceiver).
  • Dedicated management port.
  • Front-panel rack mounts.

Package contents

In addition to the MX84, the following are provided.

mx80-90 package contents.png

The MX84 front panel

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Ports and Status Indicators

The MX84 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.

Item

Function

LED Status

Meaning

 

1

 

Power

Solid orange

Power is applied

Flashing white

Firmware upgrade

Solid white

Fully operational

 

 

2

 

 

USB connectivity

Off

During boot or no USB link

Solid Orange

Initial link

Flashing orange

Internet connectivity not complete

Green

USB connection detected

 

 

3

 

 

HA status

 

Off

No high availability available

Solid orange

Initial link

Flashing orange

High availability not complete

Green

High availability available

 

 

4

 

 

Port Status

 

Off

No connection detected

Amber

10/100 Mbps

Green

1.0 Gbps


Additional functions on the front panel are described below, from left to right.

USB port

USB 2.0 for 3G/4G wireless cards. Traffic status is indicated by the USB LED.

The MX84 back panel

 

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Additional functions on the back panel are described below, from left to right.

Reset button

Insert a paper clip if a reset 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 reset.

Please note that the serial number is located on the product label at the back panel of MX84.

Mounting hardware

The mounting hardware includes four sets of standard slot-head rack screws and nuts. The additional screws and nuts are for use with optional rear brackets if rear support is required. When installing the appliance, make sure that there is sufficient space between the rear of the rack and other obstacles to ensure adequate airflow.

Safety guidelines

Regardless if you are using a wall power outlet (MAINS) or any other type of power connection (e.g., a UPC device), always ensure that the power cord can be readily disconnected from the hardware unit.

Connecting to WAN

All Meraki MX devices must have an IP address. This section describes how to configure your local area network before you deploy it. A local management web service, running on the appliance, is accessed through a browser running on a client PC. This web service is used for configuring and monitoring basic ISP/WAN connectivity.

Setting up a static IP address

To ensure that the client PC is redirected to the local web service in the following step, you must disable all other network services (ex: wi-fi) on your client machine.

 

Do the following to configure basic connectivity and other networking parameters:

  1. Using a client machine such as a laptop, connect to the management port of the MX.
  2. Using a browser on the client machine, access the appliance's built-in web service by browsing to http://setup.meraki.com. (You do not have to be connected to the Internet to reach this address)
  3. Click Uplink configuration under the Local status tab. The default credentials use the device serial number as the username, with a blank password field.
  4. Choose Static for the IP Assignment option.
  5. Enter the IP address, subnet mask, default gateway IP and DNS server information.

Setting up a DHCP IP address

By default all MX devices are configured to DHCP from upstream WAN / ISP servers. Simply plug the MX's WAN / Internet port to your upstream circuit and wait a few minutes for the unit to negotiate a DHCP address.

When the WAN connection is fully enabled, Internet LED will turn white.

Additional settings

Please note that all these settings below are accessible only via the local management console.

Setting VLANs

If your WAN uplink is on a trunk port, choose VLAN tagging > Use VLAN tagging and enter the appropriate value for VLAN ID for your network.

Setting up secondary WAN interface (dual WAN)

The MX84 comes with two dedicated Internet ports, which are both configured through the Uplink configuration under the Local status tab.

Setting PPPoE

PPPoE authentication may be required if you are connecting MX device to a DSL circuit. You need to know your authentication option and credentials (supplied by your ISP) in order to complete these steps.

  • Choose Connection Type > PPPoE.
  • Select your Authentication option.
  • If you select Use authentication, enter appropriate values for Username and Password.

Web proxy settings

These settings take effect if the MX device has to fall back to using HTTP to contact the Cloud Controller. By default, web proxy is disabled. To enable web proxy, do the following:

  • Choose Web proxy > Yes.
  • Enter values as appropriate for Hostname or IP and Port.
  • If you require authentication, choose Authentication > Use authentication, and enter appropriate values for Username and Password.

To apply all configuration settings to the appliance, be sure to click Save Settings at the bottom of the page.

Configuring physical link settings

To configure physical link settings on the Ethernet ports, click Local status > Ethernet configuration. You can enable half duplex, full duplex, and autonegotiation, as well as set 10- or 100-Mbps data rates.

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