These days, businesses should not have to choose between having a great wireless network and having...
Not content to rest on their decades of experience in the commercial networking world, Cisco Meraki continues to innovate and bring new capabilities and opportunities to businesses around the world. Recently they have released two new access points that solve many problems faced by companies looking to provide wireless solutions across outdoor plazas, patios, or thoroughfares. With both the MR66 and MR72 outdoor models, combined with their powerful Cloud dashboard, and new features added through their unique scheduled update feature, these devices make configuring and maintaining an exterior network a headache-free endeavor.
Purpose-Built Hardware
Unlike some other wireless access point vendors, who may place their existing hardware in a water-resistant shell and declare it ready for outdoor use, Cisco Meraki has specifically designed their outdoor products from the ground up, focused on making them as dependable and reliable as possible, protected from the Summer sun as well as harsh rain and snow.
The MR66 access point boasts dual wireless radios, providing a strong 802.11n signal suitable for most patios or plazas, regardless of local climate. Compatible with Power over Ethernet systems, you are able to place the access point almost anywhere you need, whether or not there is an outlet within easy reach, further minimizing the number of cables and connections exposed to the elements. With automatic band steering, it can compete in areas with overlapping signals such as office parks or lobbies.
The MR72 is a bigger brother to the MR66 and is designed for large spaces where range and interference become limiting factors for less robust access points. In addition to the benefits of the MR66, the MR72 adds a third wireless and additional Bluetooth radios, providing a full 802.11ac high-speed access to your network. The third radio also allows it to further overcome interference in even the most crowded wireless environments.
Cloud-based Access Point Management
Cisco Meraki's unique Cloud-based dashboard provides a single pane of glass from where your entire network can be managed, including outdoor access points. Instead of having to send technicians out to remote pieces of equipment, dragging along ladders and braving harsh elements, the health and configuration of every individual access point can be managed from one central location.
In cases where one access point is not sufficient to cover a single large outdoor space, both the MR66 and MR72 are able to create a mesh network, which provides continuous coverage across both of their ranges, without wireless clients losing connection at any point, even as they move from one portion of the end to the other.
Ongoing Feature Updates
One aspect of the Cisco Meraki Cloud dashboard that has revolutionized network administration is the inclusion of an automatic patching feature, where compatible devices are automatically upgraded with new security updates, interface additions, and new features. Whereas many other wireless access point manufacturers release irregular security patches only, Cisco Meraki continues to add new features and capabilities to their existing product lines, including the MR66 and MR72 external access points.
The ability to add new software features to existing hardware helps reduce the rate of equipment turnover, and allows these access points to be placed in locations where traditional hardware may be difficult to reach or manage; between the Cisco Meraki dashboard and its automatic updates, network administrators rarely have to address physical issues with the devices.
In conclusion both the MR66 and MR72 are powerful external wireless access points designed from the ground up to solve the outdoor wireless needs of commercial customers who want to expand their range far outside the office walls. Contact Team One Solutions today to discuss how a network powered by Cisco Meraki can bring these and other advanced features, without increasing your IT overhead.
Are You an IT Professional? Receive a Free Access Point.
IT professionals can receive a free Meraki wireless access point (AP) after attending a free online Cisco Meraki webinar. Sign up for your free wireless AP now.
* To be eligible for a free wireless access point, webinar participants must be an IT professional. Existing Meraki customers are not eligible. Limit of one free wireless AP per company. For more details, click here.
