Switching provider - reconfiguring remotely WAN settings

[Thomas_Vit]

Hi all,

Newbie here.

For one of office we are upgrading the internet connection, and we're changing provider, this means we'll get a new WAN IP.

I am looking for the proper way to change the WAN settings for our MX64 Firewall and AP MR33 (they both have the same WAN ip set up).

The devices are located in China and I am based in Europe, so I am just wondering if I can do everything remotely or if I need local hands.

Thank you.

[BrechtSchamp]

Not sure what you mean with the MR33 part. It has a private IP right? An MR33 just needs outgoing internet to connect to the cloud. It doesn't care about changing WAN IPs. The only thing that could happen is that the new provider is blocking the needed outgoing access, especially because this is China we're talking about. More info about that can be found here: https://documentation.meraki.com/zGeneral_Administration/Other_Topics/Upstream_Firewall_Rules_for_Cl...

Now regarding the MX. Does it have statically assign WAN addresses or is it on DHCP? If it's on DHCP the story is similar to the MR one. It'll just connect to the cloud as soon as it receives a new WAN IP. If it's statically assigned it'll be harder. You could preconfigure the new IP address. Theoretically it should then connect to the cloud as soon as the provider is changed. If it can't reach the cloud it will try to fetch a DHCP address and reach out to the cloud like that. But for any troubleshooting it's likely that you'll need someone on-site.

[Thomas_Vit]

Thanks fo rth elink that will com ehandy.

I mentioned the MR33 just to give a full picture, but my  concern is indeed about the MX which has a static IP set, when you say I could preconfigure a new IP can you expand on that? Do you mean leaving the current static WAN IP config, adding a new one once I know the new public IP we will be provided? How does one do do that?

Cheers.

[BrechtSchamp]

With changing the static IP I mean going to Security & SD-WAN > Appliance Status, then going to the Uplink tab, and changing your IP there on beforehand. The problem with that is that the cloud connectivity will drop at that point. If there's a DHCP address it can fall back to, it'll do that until you swap the providers. If there is no DHCP to fall back to, it may fall back to the old "safe" configuration as described here: https://documentation.meraki.com/zGeneral_Administration/Cross-Platform_Content/Behavior_during_Conn...

Either way, if anything goes wrong or if my assumptions are incorrect, you may have to access the local status page, which can only be done locally.

In short, it's something I wouldn't do without having someone on site just in case.

[ww · Accepted solution]

Can you use the 2nd  WAN  port of the mx for the new provider/IP.  When that one is working you can set WAN2 as primary  WAN and remove WAN1

LAN4 can function as 2nd WAN https://documentation.meraki.com/MX/Installation_Guides/MX64_Installation_Guide

[BrechtSchamp]

Good idea!