MG52E and Wi-Fi 7 AP in back-to-back mode

[gregpalmer2]

Hello all,

I am exploring the deployment of a Meraki MG52E and a Cisco Wireless Wi-Fi 7 AP in what I am dubbing back-to-back mode. The MG52E would connect to the cellular network to obtain a public IP address and would act as a DHCP server for the CW9178 WAP. Both MG52E LAN ports would connect to a 4 port POE adapter to provide 5Gbps of throughput (2.5mGig +2.5mGig). Both the MG52 and the CW9178 Wi-Fi 7 AP would be dual Ethernet connected to the POE adapter to support Ethernet Link aggregation.

Any thoughts on what additional specifications would be needed to make a solution like this work (aside from the custom cabling)? POE device recommendations welcome. I plan to deploy this solution in a mobile outdoor environment. 

[gregpalmer2]

So far I was able to identify the MS130-12X as a potential switch option. A more compact option would be ideal. 

https://meraki.cisco.com/product/switches/access-switches/ms130-12x/

 

[RWelch]

The MS130-8X would also be another viable solution.  Why it doesn't come up on the Meraki website you referenced from your link is interesting.

MS130 DataSheet 

[PhilipDAth]

Note that the MG allows a maximum of a /24 to be configured:

https://documentation.meraki.com/MG/MG_Best_Practices/MG_Wireless_WAN_Dashboard_Settings

[gregpalmer2]

Thank you @PhilipDAth! The visual is very much appreciated!

[javalins · Accepted solution]

How many clients are you connecting to the AP and what kind of traffic do you expect over the network? While we support a /24 on the MG, we have to think about client the client experience. 250 clients on a network that is providing 500Mbps (the MG can do more but the network is what determines the BW), at 2Mbps we likely aren't supporting things like streaming.. Something to consider.

If this is going outdoors and the mGig isn't a hard requirement, you could also look at the MS130r which would give you a broader temp range if this is going in some form of outdoor enclosure, if mGig is a requirement the MS130-8X/12X would be a good fit.

The CW can support link agg on the uplinks, but the MG52 does not support that on the downlinks.

[gregpalmer2]

Thank you. The current plan is to connect roughly 10 users on an externally mounted MG52 and internally mounted WAP. The information and questions you have listed will certainly help to flush out the detailed requirements. I wasn’t aware that the MG52 isn’t link agg capable. Great call out. 

[javalins]

It's probably not needed in my opinion, 2.5Gbps downstream from a single port from MG to MS130X won't be the bottleneck in this solution, it'll be the cellular network.  I can see why link agg would be needed, but I don't see it as necessary to deliver a good experience.