Help Needed: Migrating to Meraki SD-WAN with MPLS

[Badr-eddine]

Hi Community,

We are planning to migrate to the Meraki SD-WAN solution. Currently, our branches have both MPLS and Internet connections, with sites interconnected via the MPLS network. To ensure a smooth migration and a reliable rollback plan, we need to maintain connectivity between migrated branches and other sites using the MPLS network. We are considering two solutions:

1. Use WAN1 for MPLS and WAN2 for Internet: Create a static route that directs internal traffic to the gateway of WAN1 for each migrated site.

2. Use WAN1 for MPLS, WAN2 for Internet, and an additional port for MPLS: Create a static route that directs internal traffic to the gateway of the additional port for each migrated site.

We would appreciate any insights or experiences from those who have successfully implemented a similar solution. Please note that we can implement one of these solutions on the HUBs, but we have limited bandwidth on the MPLS.

Thank you !

[alemabrahao]

Just make sure that the MPLS link has internet access.

[Badr-eddine]

Hi,

Thank you for your response. Unfortunately, that’s not the case, and we can't ask for it at this time 😞

[ww]

Wan ports need internet. Then you cant use the mpls on wan port but have to use a setup with lan port

https://documentation.meraki.com/MX/Networks_and_Routing/Integrating_an_MPLS_Connection_on_the_MX_LA...

I would rather use full sdwan to a hub. And exchange routes there to your mpls. You could temporary increase bandwidth at that hub location. Asuming you save money not using mpls at the migrated branches

[Badr-eddine]

Hello,

Thank you for your insights,

However, is it possible to establish an Internet breakout using an existing MX HUB that already has Internet access and add a default gateway on the MPLS network specifically for Meraki management traffic?

[Allanscott]

Yes, it is possible to establish an Internet breakout using an existing MX HUB that already has Internet access. You can add a default gateway on the MPLS network specifically for Meraki management traffic. This setup allows for efficient routing of traffic and management within the network.

[Badr-eddine]

Hello @ww, 

Thank you for your reply. I am wondering if we lose Internet access, will the static routes to the MPLS network continue to function without any issues?

[Allanscott]

if the Internet access is lost, the static routes to the MPLS network should continue to function without any issues. The setup allows for separate routing of traffic, so even if the Internet access is disrupted, the MPLS network still be reachable through the configured static routes.