Content, Networking

Cisco Partner Summit 2019: Introducing New Meraki Solutions

Cisco Systems has unveiled new Meraki cloud-managed networking and security solutions at the Cisco Partner Summit 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The new solutions are designed to help businesses simplify their operations without sacrificing productivity, according to Cisco.

The new Meraki solutions include:

  • MS390: Provides a next-generation access switch built on the Meraki networking solution.
  • Adaptive Policy: Allows organizations to group users, applications and devices to apply the right security policies as needed.
  • Meraki Gateway (MG): Offers a wireless WAN cellular gateway.

Meanwhile, Cisco announced the following Meraki security innovations:

  • Meraki Trusted Access device authentication.
  • DNS traffic protection and content filtering on Meraki MR powered by Umbrella.
  • Enhanced Security Appliance Firewall rules.

Organizations will be able to order MS390 and MG21/21E in Cisco's second fiscal quarter. Meraki Trusted Access, Enhanced Security Appliance Firewall rules and Umbrella licensing and integration also will be available at this time.

A Closer Look at Meraki

Meraki simplifies the implementation of networking and security, Cisco said. In doing so, it enables channel partners to quickly build and launch customer networks.

In addition, Meraki offers an open, extensible network, Cisco indicated. This ensures that channel partners can integrate and build value-added applications and services on top of Meraki to accelerate their revenue growth.

Meraki has over 2 million active networks and 5.7 million devices online globally. Furthermore, the Meraki portfolio includes wireless, cellular gateways, switching, security, SD-WAN, intelligent network insights, endpoint management and smart cameras.

During media briefings at the conference, Cisco also discussed how Meraki's cloud dashboard is gaining management capabilities for additional platforms such as Cisco Duo, Umbrella and more. The idea is to offer a single dashboard focused on simplicity. For MSPs that need the full power of a specific dashboard (say, Duo), they can still jump over to that platform's native management offering.

Additional insights from Joe Panettieri.

Dan Kobialka

Dan Kobialka is senior contributing editor, MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E. He covers IT security, IT service provider business strategies and partner programs. Dan holds a M.A. in Print and Multimedia Journalism from Emerson College and a B.A. in English from Bridgewater State University. In his free time, Dan enjoys jogging, traveling, playing sports, touring breweries and watching football.