Cisco Catalyst 9000-M Deployment Guide
This guide provides instruction on how to install and configure your Catalyst 9000-M series switches in the cloud management, cloud configuration mode. For the new Cisco 9000 smart switches, please refer to this onboarding guide.
Product Overview
- For hardware product specifications and technical specifications, please refer to product hardware datasheet.
- For software features, please refer to this documentation.
| Product Family | Models | Hardware Specs and Default Power Supply | Hardware Installation Guide Link |
| C9300/L/X-M | C9300-24T-M, C9300-24P-M, C9300-24U-M , C9300-24UX-M , C9300-48T-M , C9300-48P-M, C9300-48U-M , C9300-48UXM-M, C9300-48UN-M, C9300-24S-M, C9300-48S-M , C9300X-12Y-M, C9300X-24Y-M, C9300X-48HXN-M, C9300X-24HX-M, C9300X-48HX-M, C9300X-48TX-M, C9300L-24P-4X-M, C9300L-24T-4X-M, C9300L-24UXG-4X-M, C9300L-48P-4X-M, C9300L-48PF-4X-M, C9300L-48T-4X-M, C9300L-48UXG-4X-M | Datasheet | Installation Guide |
| C9300LM-M |
C9300LM-48UX-4Y-M, C9300LM-48U-4Y-M, C9300LM-24U-4Y-M, C9300LM-48T-4Y-M |
Datasheet | Installation Guide |
| C9200L-M | C9200L-24T-4X -M, C9200L-24P-4X-M, C9200L-48T-4X -M, C9200L-48P-4X-M , C9200L-48PL-4X-M , C9200L-24PXG-4X-M , C9200L-48PXG-4X-M , C9200L-24PXG-2Y-M , C9200L-48PXG-2Y-M , C9200L-24T-4G-M , C9200L-24P-4G-M , C9200L-48T-4G -M, C9200L-48P-4G-M , C9200L-48 PL-4G-M | Datasheet | Installation Guide |
| C9200CX-M |
C9200CX-12T-2X2G-M, C9200CX-12P-2X2G-M, C9200CX-8P-2X2G-M, C9200CX-8UXG-2X-M, C9200CX-12P-2XGH-M, C9200CX-8P-2XGH-M, C9200CX-8UXG-2XH-M, C9200CX-8PT-2G-M
|
Datasheet | Installation Guide |
Cisco Optics Compatibility
Many of the Cisco Optics that are compatible* with the native Catalyst Switch platform (ex. C9300-24S) are also compatible with the corresponding Cloud Managed/Monitored Catalyst Switch Platform (ex.: C9300-24S-M) including the MS390.
- This includes: 1/10/25/40/100G SFP/QSFP fixed wavelength fiber and copper transceivers,
- Please reference the TMGmatrix for Cisco's official optic-to-device compatibility list. Click this LINK for a filtered list of all optics for C9300/C9300L/C9300X platforms
- These compatible optics are covered under the existing Cisco Warranty terms available here
- Meraki support is able to assist with troubleshooting, identifying, and root-causing the issues where the Cisco Optics are being used with their cloud managed/monitored catalyst Switch
- However, if the root cause indicates that the customer is eligible for an RMA, support will continue to follow established procedures for Cisco branded optics, which may include collaborating with Cisco TAC
Note: Validation of dashboard reporting of Cisco Optics is ongoing. In the event Meraki Support identifies an issue with a Cisco Optic, a support case may be filed for further investigation.
Other non-M accessories
Other accessories such as fan spares, power stacking cables, stackwise cables and power supplies are compatible* between non-M and -M models.
Some Examples :
- STACK-T1-50CM is compatible with STACK-T1-50CM-M
- CAB-SPWR-30CM is compatible with CAB-SPWR-30CM-M
- FAN-T2 is compatible with FAN-T2-M
- PWR-C1-1100WAC-P is compatible with PWR-C1-1100WAC-P-M
* Compatibility/ Compatible: The hardware accessory has been determined to operate effectively with the listed switch platforms, and will receive troubleshooting assistance from Cisco Meraki Support in the event of an issue experienced with the hardware. However, in the event of a hardware replacement requirement an additional step may be required to facilitate the RMA which would require collaboration with Cisco TAC under the Cisco warranty terms. Meraki’s hardware warranty and return policy and Meraki EOL policy does not apply to Cisco Optics, Cables and accessories in any shape or form.
Product View and Physical Features
Device Claiming
- CloudID is located on the top and on the left ear near the front panel. Use this serial number to claim the device in the cloud dashboard.
- Alternatively, it may also be claimed with an Order Number, provided via email to the original purchase and ship-to contact(s). For more information on order-based claiming, see Claiming devices and Orders.
Front Panel Components
Inactive components: The following front panel components are used only when the device is being managed by Catalyst Center or via CLI, and remain inactive in the cloud management, cloud configuration mode:
1. STAT, Duplex, Speed, Stack, PoE, and Console LEDs.
2. USB Type-A storage and the USB Type-B console ports.
|
|
Component |
Purpose |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Blue Beacon LED |
Reports systems status (along with the System LED) Please refer to the LED indicators in the Meraki-managed mode table for details |
|
| 2 | Reset (Mode) button |
Reset switch to factory settings. Please refer to the Factory Reset Process section for details |
|
|
3 |
System LED | Reports status of the Switch (along with the Blue Beacon LED) |
LED Indicators in the cloud management, cloud configuration mode
|
|
System status |
Blue Beacon LED |
System LED |
|
1 |
Switch is powered off or not receiving power. |
Off |
Off |
|
2 |
Switch is powered on and is loading the bootstrap firmware. |
Solid amber |
|
|
3 |
Switch is loading the operating system. |
Blinking green |
|
|
4 |
System error: Switch failed to load operating system or bootstrap firmware. |
Blinking amber |
|
|
5 |
Setting up local management and cloud-connectivity requirements. |
Flashing Blue |
Cycling b/w green & amber (OR blinking green) |
|
6 |
System error: Switch failed to complete local provisioning. |
Solid amber |
|
|
7 |
Switch is completely provisioned but unable to connect to Meraki cloud. |
Solid Blue |
Solid amber |
|
8 |
Firmware download / upgrade in progress. |
Blinking green |
|
|
9 |
There is a fault with the power supply, fan, or network module (not traffic-related). |
Blinking amber |
|
|
10 |
Switch is fully operational and connected to the Meraki cloud. |
Solid green |
Factory Reset Button
To perform a factory reset, keep the mode button pressed for 21 seconds or more. Release the button when you see the LED lights stop flashing. The switch will reboot and revert to its original factory settings.
Safety and Warnings
These operations are to be taken with respect to all local laws. Please take the following into consideration for safe operation:
- Power off the unit before you begin. Read the installation instructions before connecting the system to the power source.
- Before you work on any equipment, be aware of the hazards involved with electrical circuitry and be familiar with standard practices for preventing accidents.
- Read the mounting instructions carefully before beginning installation. Failure to use the correct hardware or to follow the correct procedures could result in a hazardous situation to people and damage to the system.
- This product relies on the building’s installation for short-circuit (overcurrent) protection. Ensure that the protective device is rated not greater than: 15 A, 125 Vac, or 10A, 240 Vac.
- Please only power the device with the provided power cables to ensure regulatory compliance.
Deployment Best Practices
To add devices to your Meraki dashboard network please refer to the Creating a Dashboard Account and Organization document.
Check and Set Network Firmware
Ensure that the switch network is set to the correct firmware version. Recommended versions are subject to change and are available in each dashboard by navigating to Organization > Firmware Upgrades
You can refer to Managing Firmware Upgrades for steps to set network firmware to the desired version.
Check and Configure Upstream Firewall Settings
If a firewall is in place, it must allow outgoing connections on particular ports to particular IP addresses. The most current list of outbound ports and IP addresses for your particular organization can be found under Help → Firewall info. The help button is located on the top right corner of any dashboard page. For more information refer to Upstream Firewall Rules for Cloud Connectivity.
Stacking
For stacking on dashboard, please refer to this stacking best practice documentation.
Assigning an IP Address
All switches must be assigned routable IP addresses. These IP addresses can be dynamically assigned via DHCP or statically assigned. Active VLANs can be changed via the local status page or dashboard. When installing an C9000, it is important to ensure that any DHCP services or IP address assignments used for management fall within the active VLAN range.
| Product Family | Supported VLAN Counts |
| C9300/L/X/LM-M | 1-1000 per stand-alone switch or switch stack |
| C9200CX/L-M | 1- 512 VLANs per stand-alone switch or switch stack |
To utilize any VLANs outside of supported VLAN counts on a Catalyst 9000-M, the switch or switch stack must have ALL of its trunk interfaces set to an allowed vlan list that contains a total that is less than or equal to supported VLAN counts, including any of the module interfaces that are not in use. For example: If a switch needs to utilize VLANs 1,100-200,300-400,2100-2200,3000-3100, EVERY trunk interface on that switch must be configured with that allowed VLAN list or a subset of it.
The easiest method to do this is to perform the following:
- Navigate to Switch > Switch ports.
- in the search bar use the following search term depending on if it is a stack or a single switch:
- switch:"{name of switch}" is:trunk.
- stack:"{name of stack}" is:trunk.
- Select all trunks configured with the allowed VLANs (e.g., C9200L: 1-512)
- set to new list including new range of VLANs. (example: 1,100-200,300-400,2100-2200,3000-3100).
- Click Update.
Dynamic Assignment
When using DHCP, the DHCP server should be configured to assign a static IP address for each MAC address belonging to a Meraki switch. Other features of the network, such as 802.1X authentication, may rely on the property that the switches have static IP addresses.
Please make sure that the DHCP server used for providing a management IP address to the switch has an available address pool that falls within the active VLAN range.
Static Assignment
Static IPs can be assigned using the local status page on each switch. For more information on how to configure static IP from the local status page refer to this documentation.
Static IP via DHCP Reservations
Instead of associating each Meraki switch individually to configure static IP addresses, an administrator can assign static IP addresses on the upstream DHCP server. Through “DHCP reservations,” IP addresses are “reserved” for the MAC addresses of the Meraki switches. Please consult the documentation for the DHCP server to configure DHCP reservations.
Check upstream VLAN configuration
Ensure the upstream switch/router port is configured properly and there is no VLAN mismatch.
Check STP configuration
Cloud-managed C9000 series switches run a single instance of MST out of the box. Please read MS Best Practices prior to deployment.
NOTE: If you plan to deploy Meraki switches into an existing Catalyst network running PVST/PVST+/Rapid-PVST, please refer to this document for interoperability. To migrate your existing Catalyst switches to MSTP, please see Configuring Spanning Tree on Meraki MS Switches for more information.
Boot-up Process and Firmware Upgrades
This section provides a detailed guide on what to expect during the boot-up and firmware upgrade process. The following image illustrates the various stages the switch will undergo during a firmware upgrade, which includes a system reboot. When a switch is powered-on, or rebooted from the Dashboard, it will only go through the stages of the System boot-up process.
The status of the Dashboard-connectivity and the local status page (LSP) availability in each of these stages are also covered in the illustration and the table below.
* The durations stated in the illustration above were measured using a 6-member stack of 48-port switches. The actual time required for system boot-up and configuration will also depend on the stack size, port density and any user-defined configuration.
The following table offers another view on what to expect from the Blue Beacon and System LED as the switch progresses through these stages. For an exhaustive list of system states, please refer to the section on LED Indicators in the Meraki-managed mode.
|
Stage |
System status |
Blue Beacon LED |
System |
Dashboard status |
Local Status Page (LSP) status |
|
Firmware download & installation |
Firmware download and upgrade in progress. |
Solid blue |
Blinking green |
Switch is connected to and managed by the Dashboard. |
LSP is accessible and can be used to manage the switch. |
|
System boot-up |
Switch is powered on and is loading the bootstrap firmware. |
OFF |
Solid amber |
Switch is not connected to Dashboard. |
LSP is not accessible |
|
System configuration |
Switch is loading the operating system. |
OFF |
Blinking green |
Switch is not connected to Dashboard. |
LSP is accessible and can be used to manage the switch. |
| Setting up local management IP and cloud-connectivity requirements. Note: If the switch has not been assigned a static management IP previously, it will try to obtain an IP via DHCP in this stage. |
Flashing blue | Cycling b/w green & amber (OR blinking green) | Switch is not connected to Dashboard. | LSP is accessible can be used to manage the switch. | |
|
Connecting to dashboard |
Switch is fully operational and connected to the Meraki cloud |
ON/Solid blue |
Solid green |
Switch is connected to Dashboard and operational. |
LSP page is accessible |
Device reboot/ reset precaution
Do not power down or reset the device during a firmware upgrade. Please refer to the table above or the section on LED Indicators in the Meraki-managed mode for details of the indicators for firmware upgrade.
Once the devices are upgraded to the latest version continue configuring other switch features/settings. For details refer to the MS documentation
Basic Troubleshooting
The following steps can be used for troubleshooting basic connectivity issues with your switch.
- Soft Reset the switch by holding the factory reset button for 10-15 seconds (less than 20seconds)
- Factory Reset the switch by holding the factory reset button for > 21 seconds
- After a factory reset, the switch will re-download its firmware that can take a while on slow internet links. (Expect 1GB of firmware per switch/stack)
- Try switching cables, or testing your cable on another device
Reference https://documentation.meraki.com/MS for additional information and troubleshooting tips.
Support and Warranty
Support
If issues are encountered with device installation or additional help is required, contact Meraki Support by logging in to dashboard.meraki.com and opening a case by visiting the Get Help section.
- The equipment is intended for industrial or other commercial activities.
- The equipment is used in areas without exposure to harmful and dangerous production factors, unless otherwise specified in the operational documentation and/or on the equipment labeling.
- The equipment is not for domestic use. The equipment is intended for operation without the constant presence of maintenance personnel.
- The equipment is subject to installation and maintenance by specialists with the appropriate qualifications, sufficient specialized knowledge, and skills.
- Rules and conditions for the sale of equipment are determined by the terms of contracts concluded by Cisco or authorized Cisco partners with equipment buyers.
- Disposal of a technical device at the end of its service life should be carried out in accordance with the requirements of all state regulations and laws.
- Do not throw in the device with household waste. The technical equipment is subject to storage and disposal in accordance with the organization's disposal procedure.
- The equipment should be stored in its original packaging in a room protected from atmospheric precipitation. The permissible temperature and humidity ranges during storage are specified in the Operation (Installation) Manual.
- Transportation of equipment should be carried out in the original packaging in covered vehicles by any means of transport. The temperature and humidity during transportation must comply with the permissible established ranges of temperature and humidity during storage (in the off state) specified in the Operation Manual (Installation).
For additional information on Meraki hardware and for other installation guides, please refer to documentation.meraki.com.
Warranty
If your Cisco Meraki device fails and the problem cannot be resolved by troubleshooting, contact support to address the issue. Once support determines that the device is in a failed state, they can process an RMA and send out a replacement device free of charge. In most circumstances, the RMA will include a pre-paid shipping label so the faulty equipment can be returned.
In order to initiate a hardware replacement for non-functioning hardware that is under warranty, you must have access to the original packaging the hardware was shipped in. The original hardware packaging includes device serial number/Cloud ID and order information, and may be required for return shipping.
Additional warranty information can be found on: https://meraki.cisco.com/support#process:warranty
Licensing
Catalyst 9000-M license structure includes two feature tiers: Enterprise and Advanced. As with all cloud-managed switches, every Catalyst 9000-M license is available in 1, 3, 5, and 7 year terms.
| Product Family | Enterprise | Advanced |
|
C9300/L/LM/X-M 12/24 Ports |
LIC-C9300-24E-xY | LIC-C9300-24A-xY |
| C9300/L/LM/X-M 48 Ports | LIC-C9300-48E-xY | LIC-C9300-48A-xY |
| C9200L-M 24 Ports | LIC-C9200L-24E-xY |
LIC-C9200L-24A-xY |
| C9200L-M 48 Ports | LIC-C9200L-48E-xY | LIC-C9200L-48A-xY |
| All C9200CX | LIC-C9200CX-E-xY | LIC-C9200CX-A-xY |
The features available with advanced licensing are:
In the Co-term licensing model (most existing Organizations), an Organization must either have all Catalyst 9000-M Enterprise or all Catalyst 9000-M Advanced licenses - they cannot be mixed. In the Per-device licensing model, a mix of Enterprise and Advanced can be added to a single Organization, but certain features may require all devices in a Network to have Advanced licenses, e.g. Adaptive Policy.
MS390s and or Catalyst 9300/L/X-M existing in the same co-term Organization will require the same license edition (either Enterprise or Advanced) as the Catalyst 9200L-M. License types cannot be mixed and will result in an incompatible license error.
For more information on licensing, refer to Meraki Licensing Models article.
Subscription licensing is also available for the Catalyst 9000-M switches