Whether you’re an IT pro or a business leader who dabbles in technology on an as-needed basis, you’re always looking for solutions that work without needing continual attention.
You won’t find a better example of this than with Meraki.
You can enjoy a direct, intuitive user experience with their cloud-managed switches, firewalls, access points, and cameras.
This translates to less time you have to spend trying to deploy or troubleshoot their solutions since all the information you need can be easily found within the Meraki dashboard.
The KR Group uses Meraki devices and its dashboard for our infrastructure because we can spend less time worrying about our own IT and more time assisting with yours.
Our managed IT services team deploys Meraki firewalls for customers because they can quickly manage and analyze each environment.
Overall, Meraki’s dashboard is user-friendly in the following ways:
- Its single, graphics-based dashboard saves you time.
- The ability to segment networks helps you avoid mistakes and streamline management.
- Optional or add-on features require minimal configuration.
- The few drawbacks only apply to IT administrators looking for high-level control.Â
In many ways, Meraki’s cloud-managed dashboard is unmatched in user experience.
Meraki’s Single Dashboard Saves You Time
All of Meraki’s devices (firewalls, switches, access points, and cameras) use the same dashboard, so you don’t have to log into multiple interfaces for the different devices.
You’ll find different information and user statistics for each type of hardware. They’re all designed similarly, so you aren’t learning a new interface as you navigate between device types.
This creates a single space to navigate efficiently and check a network’s status, troubleshoot issues, or optimize user experiences.
All this information is also primarily displayed through graphic elements, which gives you a quick way to analyze what is going on.
Separate Networks Help You Avoid Mistakes
When you log into your Meraki dashboard, you’ll notice the overarching theme is clarity. You’ll mainly see this when it comes to network segmentation options.
Before you read about the different options for segmenting networks and their benefits, you should keep in mind that each of your Meraki firewalls must be part of a separate network unless they’re identical and meant for high availability.
However, excluding duplicate gear, you have some flexibility as to how you segment your network.
1.  Device-type segmentation
If you’re concerned about accidentally making changes to the wrong device, this type of network will help you avoid that.
By creating separate networks for a firewall, switches, wireless, and cameras, you eliminate the possibility of mistaking an MX64 (firewall) for an MR46 (access point) and causing unnecessary problems within your IT environment.
2.  Site-based segmentation
If you have multiple sites, you’ll also segment your devices by location.
Since you’ll want a firewall at every office, you’ll need to create a separate network for each one. Segmenting your network this way ensures you’re making changes to the site you intend to.
For example, The KR Group has separate Meraki networks for our Spring Lake and Grand Rapids offices, and we segment each of those networks by device types.
You don’t have to do anything additional to access segmentation features. Meraki natively directs you to segment your network and create a uniform, scalable experience.
Optional or Add-on Features Require Minimal Configuration
You don’t need to take any extra steps to configure the essential functions for each type of device.
However, there are a few add-ons you can select to turn on or off.
- Advanced malware protection (AMP) detects and removes malicious files from your IT environment. Even if you don’t completely understand the mechanics behind this feature, you can enable it by toggle the on-off button.
- An intrusion prevention and detection system is another security setting that analyzes your network for threats. Like the AMP feature, you can toggle this off or on from the dashboard.
- Active Directory integration allows you to see which of your users are associated with an IP address. You’ll need to go through a few more steps than turning a setting on or off, but it is critical if you have security compliance concerns.
Drawbacks of Meraki’s Dashboard
If you’re a business owner who wants solutions that don’t require high-level IT knowledge, then Meraki is one of the best tech manufacturers you’ll find.
Likewise, if you have an IT background but are looking to streamline some of the management components of your job, Meraki is right for you.
That being said, for those IT directors looking for command-line access, you won’t find that with these solutions. For some, this is a drawback.
The administration interface is 100% web-based, so Meraki must adjust anything outside of the graphical user interface (GUI) – if it can be adjusted at all.
Another complaint we’ve heard about Meraki’s dashboard is how it rolls out firmware upgrades. While you can schedule a start time, the GUI does not allow you to stagger the upgrades and control what devices are down and when. However, we’ve seldom encountered this as a significant problem.
How to Try Meraki’s Dashboard
When you consider purchasing Meraki devices, one of the most significant factors to consider is its dashboard.
Having all your Meraki devices reporting to a single interface saves you time. The graphical nature of the dashboard gives you a quick overview of what is going on.
You can logically segment networks to ensure you don’t accidentally configure the wrong device.
Even the add-on features require little to no additional configuration. In fact, Meraki’s dashboard natively includes all of the features you need.
Unless you’re an IT administrator concerned about command-line access, the drawbacks likely won’t apply to you.
When you’re ready to test drive the Meraki dashboard for yourself, check out Meraki’s free trial. You’ll have access to a device and dashboard for 14 days, after which you can pay and keep the solution or return it.
