If you manage a network, you already know the usual pain points: hardware chaos, clunky updates, time-wasting site visits. Cisco Meraki was built to change that. What is Cisco Meraki?

This cloud-managed platform strips away the noise, giving IT teams a central view of everything that matters, from access points to switches, cameras, and security appliances, all managed from a single dashboard. Wondering what Cisco Meraki is used for? It’s designed for any IT environment where speed, control, and scalability matter, without the operational drag.

Cisco Meraki’s Cloud-First Approach to Network Management

So what is Cisco Meraki? Meraki flips the traditional IT model. Instead of managing each piece of hardware on-site, everything flows through a centralized cloud dashboard. You get real-time visibility across all your sites, simplified rollouts, and way less time in the wiring closet.

No jumping between interfaces. No surprise firmware fails. Just one secure login, and you’re in control — anywhere, anytime.

The Meraki Dashboard is central to this system, we’ll break that down later.

Key Hardware Families In the Cisco Meraki Lineup

Meraki gear isn’t one-size-fits-all. The platform spans multiple product lines designed to cover different layers of your network, from edge to core, campus to branch. Each product family plays a distinct role — whether you're securing the perimeter, optimizing wireless coverage, or gaining visibility at remote sites. 

And because everything ties back to the same cloud dashboard, you get a unified view and consistent policy control across your entire stack.

MX Security and SD-WAN Appliances

These firewalls do more than block threats. They combine next-gen security features with automatic site-to-site VPNs and SD-WAN optimization,  ideal for multi-site deployments where uptime matters.

MR Wi-Fi Access Points for High-Density Coverage

Designed for modern offices, schools, and venues, MR access points provide reliable wireless at scale. They support Wi-Fi 6/6E, client load-balancing, and deep traffic visibility, all while self-optimizing in real-time.

MS Cloud-Managed Switches for Campus and Branch Cores

MS switches are built for plug-and-play deployments, remote troubleshooting, and intelligent port-level insights. From small 8-port access switches to full 48-port aggregation layers, they’ve got it covered.

MV Smart Security Cameras With Edge Analytics

MV cameras do more than record footage, they run machine learning at the edge. That means you can track movement, count people, or review incidents fast, without offloading video to the cloud.

MT Environmental Sensors for Site Awareness

These sensors monitor temp, humidity, leaks, and door access. Perfect for server closets, retail environments, and remote facilities that need environmental monitoring without a full BMS setup.

MG Cellular Gateways for LTE and 5G Uplinks

Need to deploy internet where wired WAN isn’t available? MG gateways provide cellular failover or primary uplinks with automatic failback, great for remote branches or pop-up locations.

How The Meraki Dashboard Streamlines Day-to-Day Network Management

This is where Meraki really earns its name. The Meraki Dashboard gives you a full-stack view of every device, user, and policy. The workflow is straightforward:

• Claim a device with a license key

• Configure it with templates, profiles, or one-off settings

• Monitor activity, bandwidth, clients, and alerts, all in real time

Global search helps you find anything in seconds. Want to roll out firmware updates across 100 sites at once? Schedule it. Need to assign access roles for your help desk? Done. The Meraki dashboard takes the grunt work out of IT.

Smart Automation and Analytics That Save IT Hours

What is Cisco Meraki? Meraki isn't just about visibility, it’s built for efficiency. The platform includes built-in automation and insights that handle the heavy lifting behind the scenes:

• Auto VPN mesh: Effortless site-to-site connectivity across locations

• Client health diagnostics: Quickly pinpoint and resolve performance issues

• Layer 7 traffic shaping: Control and prioritize application-level traffic

• Talos-powered threat intelligence: Real-time updates with Cisco’s global security intel

• MV Sense: People counting, heat maps, and dwell time analytics via smart cameras

• Motion Search 2.0: Fast video review with timeline-based event filtering

Business Cases Where Meraki Adds Value

Meraki isn’t just “easier IT.” It’s purpose-built for business agility. Here’s how it fits into common scenarios.

• Multi-site retail: When you’ve got dozens of stores, every location needs consistent policy, security, and uptime. Meraki templates and Auto VPNs let you set once and deploy everywhere — no local IT needed.

• Remote-first offices: With hybrid teams, you need control beyond the office. Meraki extends visibility into remote workers’ gear and connections, while MX firewalls can securely connect home offices to your network.

• Pop-up locations and events: Short-term doesn’t have to mean sloppy. Meraki lets you spin up secure Wi-Fi, cameras, and WAN uplinks in a day, and tear them down just as fast.

Already Running Cisco? Meraki Is Your Next Step

Meraki isn’t a replacement for your traditional Cisco infrastructure — it’s the next layer of control.

If you're managing Catalyst switches, ASA firewalls, or standalone APs, you already know the power of Cisco. Meraki lets you extend that ecosystem with simpler management, faster provisioning, and tighter integration through Cisco DNA and APIs. You don’t have to rip and replace, just start where you need the most visibility or flexibility, and grow from there.

Build Your Meraki Plan With Hummingbird Networks

Cisco Meraki isn’t just a product, it’s a smarter way to manage your network. It takes the complexity out of multi-site deployments, simplifies everyday tasks, and gives IT teams the control they need without the overhead. Whether you’re building from scratch, expanding to new locations, or adding cloud visibility to an existing Cisco environment, Meraki adapts to the way you work.

Hummingbird Networks helps you make that move with zero guesswork. You’ll get real answers, fast quoting, and a named rep who actually knows your environment, not just a generic inbox. We don’t just sell hardware. We deliver a better procurement process from start to support.

Don’t just buy hardware. Invest in a better procurement process. See how Hummingbird Networks delivers Meraki with the clarity and speed your team deserves. Explore Meraki