C8111-C-G2-MX, C8121-W-G2-MX, and C8121-CW-G2-MX Installation Guide

Physical Specifications 

	C8111-C-G2	C8121-W-G2	C8121-CW-G2
RJ45 WAN Interfaces	2x Dedicated MGigE RJ45	2x Dedicated MGigE RJ45	2x Dedicated MGigE RJ45
Cellular WAN Interfaces	Built-in Cellular Uplink	N/A	Built-in Cellular Uplink
LAN Interfaces - Dedicated	4 x Dedicated GbE RJ45	10 x Dedicated GbE RJ45	10 x Dedicated GbE RJ45
Wireless Radio Information	Wi-Fi 6 2x2 MU-MIMO	N/A	Wi-Fi 6 2x2 MU-MIMO
Antennas	4x External LTE Antennas	2 x 2 MU-MIMO with two spatial streams	2 x 2 MU-MIMO with two spatial streams  4x External Cellular Antennas
Maximum Wireless Data Rate	1.5 Gbps*		1.5 Gbps*
Mount Type	Desktop / Wall Mount	Desktop / Wall Mount	Desktop / Wall Mount
Dimensions  (h x d x w)	1.3 x 6.9 x 12.4 in /   34 x 176 x 316 mm	1.3 x 8 x 13.7 in /   34 x 203 x 348 mm	1.3 x 8 x 13.7 in /   34 x 203 x 348 mm
Weight	3.2 lbs / 1.451 kg	3.7 lbs / 1.696 kg	3.9 lbs / 1.783 kg
Power Supply	150W (54 V / 0.92 A)	250W (54 V / 0.92 A)	250W (54 V / 0.92 A)
System Power (idle/max)	126W	221W	221W
System + PoE Power Load (idle/
Operating Temperature	32°F - 113 °F  0°C - 45°C	32°F - 113 °F  0°C - 45°C	32°F - 113 °F  0°C - 45°C
Storage and Transportation Temperature	-4°F - 158°F  -20°C - 70°C	-4°F - 158°F  -20°C - 70° C	-4°F - 158°F  -20°C - 70° C
Humidity	5% to 95%	5% to 95%	5% to 95%

* Refers to maximum over-the-air data frame rate capability of the radio chipset, and may exceed data rates allowed by IEEE 802.11ax operation. 

Cellular Interface

	Cellular Bands
5G	n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n13, n14, n18, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79
LTE	B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B7, B8, B12, B13, B14, B18, B19, B20, B21, B25, B26, B28, B29, B30, B32, B34, B38, B39, B40, B41, B42, B43, B46, B48, B66, B71
Certified Certifications	PTCRB (US), GCF(EU), IC (CA), FCC (US)
Certification	AT&T, T-Mobile
Tested Carriers	Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Telia, TDC, Vodafone

Carrier compatibility is generally based on having compatible bands on the modem. In the open market, carriers may only require regulatory domain certifications and open market certifications, like the PTCRB and GCF, to be compatible for their network. Sometimes carriers will require additional testing before a device can be used on their network. The Tested Carriers section is based on Meraki device certifications being approved by those specific carriers. A carrier being listed above means that they have officially certified the Meraki product for their cellular network. There may be many unlisted carriers that could be functionally compatible with Meraki devices. The list of tested certified carriers is based on the carrier validating Meraki per their network parameter requirements. If a carrier you are looking to use is not listed above, it could be that they do not require additional compliance testing for their network.   

Package Contents 

 

  

In addition to the C8111-C-G2, C8121-W-G2, and C8121-CW-G2 device, the following are provided: 

C8111-C-G2	C8121-W-G2	C8121-CW-G2
Power Adapter (No Power Cable)	Power Adapter (No Power Cable)	Power Adapter (No Power Cable)
4x Cellular Antennas		4x Cellular Antennas

 

Front Panel 

Back Panel 

Bottom Panel 

Configure your Dashboard Network  

The following is a brief overview only of the steps required to add an C8111-C-G2, C8121-W-G2 and C8121-CW-G2 to your network. For detailed instructions about creating, configuring and managing Meraki networks, refer to our Managing Dashboard Networks document. Additional resources can also be found via: documentation.meraki.com. 

1. Login to http://dashboard.meraki.com. If this is your first time, create a new account. 

2. Find the network to which you plan to add your C8111-C-G2, C8121-W-G2, and C8121-CW-G2 or create a new network. 

3. Add your C8111-C-G2, C8121-W-G2, and C8121-CW-G2 to your network. You will need your Meraki order number (found on your invoice) or the serial number of each C8111-C-G2, C8121-W-G2, and C8121-CW-G2, which looks like Qxxx-xxxx-xxxx, and is found on the bottom of the unit. You will also need your Enterprise license key, which you should have received via email. 

4. Go to the map / floor plan view and place each C8111-C-G2, C8121-W-G2, and C8121-CW-G2 on the map by clicking and dragging it to the location where you plan to mount it. 

Check and Set Firmware 

To ensure your C8111-C-G2, C8121-W-G2, and C8121-CW-G2 performs optimally immediately following installation, it is recommended that you facilitate a firmware upgrade prior to mounting your C8111-C-G2, C8121-W-G2, and C8121-CW-G2. 

1. Attach your C8111-C-G2, C8121-W-G2, and C8121-CW-G2 to power and a wired Internet connection. 

2. The C8111-C-G2, C8121-W-G2, and C8121-CW-G2 will turn on and the power LED will glow solid orange.  

3. If the unit requires an upgrade, the power LED will begin blinking white until the upgrade is complete, at which point the LED will turn solid white. You should allow at least a few minutes for the firmware upgrade to complete, depending on the speed of your internet connection. 

Check and Configure Upstream Firewall Settings 

If an upstream firewall is already in place, it must allow outgoing connections to a particular set of IP addresses and ports. The most current list of outbound ports and IP addresses for your organization can be found on the firewall configuration page in your dashboard.  

Mounting Hardware 

Wall screws and anchors will allow you to mount the gateway on a drywall surface, either vertically or horizontally. The distance between the holes you drill should be 5-1/8 inches (13 cm). 

• For mounting on drywall, use a ¼-in drill bit, then insert the plastic drywall anchor and screw assemblies. 

• For mounting on wood or a similar surface, use only the screws. 

• Allow the heads of the screws to stick out far enough to be inserted securely into the back of the appliance. 

Setting up a Static IP Address 

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

1. Using a client machine such as a laptop, connect to one of the LAN ports of the C8111-C-G2, C8121-W-G2, and C8121-CW-G2. 

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 C8111-C-G2, C8121-W-G2, and C8121-CW-G2 devices are configured to DHCP from upstream WAN / ISP servers. Simply plug the C8111-C-G2, C8121-W-G2. and C8121-CW-G2'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 1 will turn green. 

Setting up Cellular Failover 

The C8111-C-G2 and C8121-CW-G2 has an embedded 5G module for cellular failover connections. The following section will walk through first-time set-up of an C8111-C-G2 and C8121-CW-G2 with an internet connection as a primary connection and cellular as failover. 

To set up the cellular failover connection, follow the steps below: 

1. Power off the C8111-C-G2 or C8121-CW-G2. Swapping/installing SIM cards while the C8111-C-G2 or C8121-CW-G2 is powered on may cause unexpected behavior or error. 

2. Uncover the SIM slot cover. 

3. Insert a nano SIM card (4FF size) until it ‘clicks’ 

4. Cover the SIM slot cover again 

5. Power on the C8111-C-G2 or C8121-CW-G2 and wait for the C8111-C-G2 or C8121-CW-G2 to show as online in the Meraki dashboard 

6. Check with the carrier of choice if an APN needs to be configured. If so, do that from the Meraki Dashboard under Teleworker Gateway > Monitor > Appliance Status > Uplink tab 

7. Navigate to Teleworker Gateway > Monitor > Appliance Status > Uplink tab and next to Status, select the edit (pencil) button and then select Enabled. When the cellular uplink is successfully connected, you will be able to see the status on the left hand side of the Appliance Status page and in the Uplink tab. The connection will say Ready when it is successfully connected 

8. Test the cellular failover connection by unplugging the wired connection or by using the traceroute tool under Teleworker Gateway > Monitor > Appliance Status in the Tools tab 

9. If, after following the steps above, the SIM card is not detected, please confirm with your carrier that the SIM card is active and has data. You will need the ICCID of the SIM card and IMEI of the device to get troubleshooting help from the carrier 

10. Please contact the Meraki Support team if the cellular connection is still not being recognized after following the steps above. 

A Physical SIM Card is Inserted into the Device While it is Connected Via the eSIM Bootstrap Profile 

Regardless of how long the device has been powered on, when a physical SIM card is inserted into the device and is using the eSIM bootstrap profile. The device would immediately move from the eSIM to the physical SIM card. 

A Physical SIM Card is Inserted into the Device When the Device is Connected Via eSIM With a Target Profile 

Regardless of how long the device has been powered on, the device would continue to operate with the eSIM and the target profile when a physical SIM card is inserted into the device and the device is using the eSIM with the bootstrap profile.  

 

The C8111-C-G2 or C8121-CW-G2 will not attempt to move over to the physical SIM card unless this is manually changed via the device’s local status page or via the Meraki Dashboard to change the active SIM card.  

The Physical SIM Card is Removed from the Device While Being Used 

If the physical SIM card is removed from the device, then the device will attempt to connect via the eSIM via the bootstrap or target profile. 

The Device is Attached to the Cellular Network with the eSIM’s Target Profile, but is Unable to Pass its Health Check and then a Physical SIM Card Physically Inserted into the Device 

The device will continue to use the eSIM on the target profile and will not attempt to move over to the physical SIM card. 

 

 

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 PPPoE 

PPPoE authentication may be required if you are connecting a C8111-C-G2, C8121-W-G2, and C8121-CW-G2 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 C8111-C-G2, C8121-W-G2, and C8121-CW-G2 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.