MS150..?

[TyShawn]

I've been in a few webinars and I caught a slide that referenced the MS150 line of switches. Has anyone seen or have a bit more information on these switches?

[cmr]

Nothing here, just someone saying 3 months ago that it was coming...?

[Brash · Accepted solution]

Nothing I can find other than what appears to be a publicly posted slide from 2024 GSX with a few bits and pieces.

60W UPOE

5G mgig ports

4x 10G SFP Uplinks

Layer 2+ stacking

Planned release Q3 2025

[Brennan_Martin]

publicly posted slides from 2024 GSX... sigh, this is why we can't have nice things 🤣

[cmr]

@Brennan_Martin we need a 🤣 emoji alongside the Kudo ⬆️...

[rhbirkelund]

I think I understood Meraki as saying they plan on retiring most of their switching platforms to only be MS130 and MS150, and those MS2xx and up to be replaced by Catalyst switches in Meraki persona.

I think maybe that MS150 might be planned to replace MS2xx (My words, not Cisco's).

MS150 will be targeted as a Low-end platform positioned for WiFi7, as well as support for Adaptive Policies and Perpetual PoE.

[KarstenI]

They are already listed as "compatible Switches" in the Subscription page of the dashboard.

[Mloraditch]

Based on the normal way Cisco likes to make announcements, I would strongly suspect Cisco Live Amsterdam (2/9-14) will be when they are released.

[Inderdeep]

Check the below in coming two months and you will see the update 

https://meraki.cisco.com/product-collateral/ms-family-datasheet/?file 

[TyShawn]

Thank you everyone who replied to this odd request.

[CDTC]

I see them listed on the website now. No documentation thought. 

[cmr]

Two 60W 1/5Gb PoE++ models

Six 30W 1Gb PoE+ models

Four 1Gb non PoE models

They might have 100Gb stacking as the accessories has the 100Gb cables...

Page is here: Cloud-Managed 24 GE Network Switch | MS150 | Cisco Meraki 

[cmr]

And if I read the page correctly, stacking is confirmed...  I think they are pure layer 2, or they would have been MS255s...

[TyShawn]

I'm kind of Meh on the port configuration.  In a perfect world would love to see 

24 port 

4 SFP+
8 Port 10G UPOE
16 Port 2.5 POE or UPOE

Less Perfect world
4 SFP+
8 Port 10G UPOE
8 Port 2.5 POE or UPOE
8 1G POE+

@cmr thanks for the extra detail and links good sir.

[cmr]

I like the PoE++ models, but think the PoE+ and non PoE are a bit poor, being all 1Gb.  I can however see their use in schools, replacing MS2xx or C2960X edge switches with C9300s at the core.

[Mloraditch]

Since they are posted, I presume I can say this now, the goal of the product line was to offer a more  affordable option below the 9200/9300s that can stack and offer the power and mGig needed for the WiFi 7 APs. 

Schools and other cost conscious markets are the exact target and this supposedly will mute some of the competition's arguments.

[TyShawn]

@cmr I can see that as well. I think when I look at replacements for the next 5-10 years this configuration doesn't feel like that pure next gen leap from a company. This switch config (again to me) feels like a small jump to test the waters and let's see if we can release a MS160 in 2-3 years.

Not bashing anyone just expressing my thoughts.

[RaphaelL]

For those who would like to view the detailed specs : https://documentation.meraki.com/MS/MS_Overview_and_Specifications/MS150_Datasheet

[cmr]

Someone needs to proof read it as it says 80Gb stacking (so 2x 40Gb ports), but 100Gb cables for stacking...

[RaphaelL]

This row is also duplicated somehow.

[LOB]

Thanks for catching this.  We removed the duplicate row and the page should be updated shortly.  

[Brennan_Martin]

Hey @cmr that's not a math error 😀. To support the 80Gbps stacking you need cables that can do 80Gbps or greater yeah? Well we already have 100Gbps stacking cables and it wasn't worth the trouble to purpose-build something for the MS150!

[cmr]

@Brennan_Martin I'm pretty sure it'll actually be using QSFP+ cables as Cisco always quote the combined bandwidth for the stacking ports 😎

[Brennan_Martin]

maaayyyyyybeee

[Brennan_Martin]

guys.. can we you know.. refrain from posting pre-release stuff? Pleeeeeze? 

In any case.. this is FCS today, so it's all fair game now!

[Brennan_Martin]

While I also remind the marketing folks to be careful 🤦🏻‍♂️

[RaphaelL]

I wished you guys could announce the products here. I always hear about the products first on linkedin and couple days later  they get announced here. ☹️

[cmr]

@CarolineS can we please give @RaphaelL +1000 Kudos for the above post?

[CarolineS]

I gave him my one little kudo! All-stars get 2x kudo power, so encourage your fellow all-stars 😄 Meanwhile, I'll also talk with some folks internally.

[thomasthomsen]

I also give @RaphaelL all the love, I mean, kudos he I can give him 🙂

[TyShawn]

PREACH!!!!

[thomasthomsen]

Can we now discuss price of these switches ? 🙂

Because the Cisco / Meraki switch field here has gone real "muddy" in my opinion.

Example from CCW.

The top 3 ones are 24 ports with mGig ports and 4 x 10G uplinks.

Yes, the C9200 does not have 60 Watt PoE (will there ever be a version that does ?, or should we just declare the C9200 for a "dead" ? - Citation needed 🙂 )

But the MP and the C9300 are dang close to each other in price. And who would not rather have a C9300 that down the road can do more then the MS150 (even in Meraki mode I believe - Or am I now getting into the "refrain from posting pre-release stuff? Pleeeeeze?" territory ? 🙂 ).

The last 3 are standard 24 ports with 10G uplinks (except MS130X that gets some mGig ports).

Here it might make more sense ... I guess...

I know we can throw "stacking" into the mix, where some Catalyst might require a "module" with additional cost to work ...

But am I the only one who thinks the pricing seems , "wrong" / "dosent quite FIT" in the stack of all the different switches on these MS150 switches ?

That MP switch seems at least a thousand $ list too expensive in my opinion.

I know we get new "Tricks" like perpetual PoE (thats a new one), and Adaptive policy across all the MS150 switches, and stacking ... but still ... there is something that seems "off" to me.

Thoughts ?

[Mloraditch]

I suggest posting in the EN PVT Webex Team about this. I doubt anyone who can say anything will be able to say much here and there they may be able to, but I tend to agree that this is confusing.

[TyShawn]

I am looking for a way to word this and not sound cheap or rude. When I look at new devices as a generational leap I look for A. older premium features to be pushed down or B. an increase in som elimination that the prior generation had. Saying that when looking at the MS130/150 I was really hoping Meraki would come out swinging. To Meraki's credit they released a L2 switch that does M-gig and POE++, but the M-gig ports are a bit limiting and for a switch that will be deployed in my environments for the next ~8 years deploying a primarily 1G switch just misses the mark. 

Tossing this out as an example if Meraki would have released a 150MP with 12 Multi-gig ports and 12 1G ports I could live with that. Perfect work we could have had an option with 16 or 20 2.5G POE+ ports and 4-8 10G ports with UPOE. Then toss in the option to buy an Advance license and gain L3 light or full L3. 

I truly am looking for the silver lining with these switches and I could be sold but for my companies use case and the current price points this direction doesn't line up.

[thomasthomsen]

I think this is where you move into C9300 series where you can get switches with all ports as mGig.

For example C9300-48UXM-M, C9300-48UN-M or the 9300X series like C9300X-48HXN-M or C9300X-48HX-M.
The MS100 series is for the "low end", and in this space there is still not that big requirements for full mGig on all ports of a switch, at least in my experience.
And if you had your full mGig switch, you would also need QSFP or SFP28 uplinks (These are available on the C9300(X) models 🙂 )

So you have the options, you might just need to look at a higher tier of switch.

[TyShawn]

Agreed I we do have options and I see the point of the 100 series. I hope we could see something more in future products.

[thomasthomsen]

Like all tech, it will move "down the stack" eventually.

It also took quite a while (it feels like) for 10Gbit uplinks to become "default" / move down the stack.
- /me looking at calender, says 2025, looks at datasheet of new switches, options for 1G only uplinks still exists - hmmmm insert Picard facepalm meme.
But to be serious as always, some customers dont want to pay the price, therefore there is an option.

[cmr]

Indeed, I would have expected the 24MP to have a list price of more like 7k at the most.  It loses out to the C9300L below in everything other than already including the stacking ports (which are a cost extra on the C9300L).  End user pricing might reflect that better 🤞

[TyShawn]

Much respect to the ask, but this topic came up due to open slide shared by your sales and sale engineers. Can you help define when it's safe to openly talk about products?

[thomasthomsen]

Generally speaking, if its not on the official website, then don’t talk about it. 🙂

[TyShawn]

Note taken thanks.

[annmarie24us]

Check out the new MS150 datasheet just published.

MS150 Datasheet - Cisco Meraki Documentation

[cmr]

@annmarie24us can you confirm the correct stacking information?  The MA220/225 has 80Gbps stacking and uses QSFP+ stacking cables.  The MS150 has 80Gbps stacking, but apparently needs QSFP28 cables...??

[TyShawn]

L2+/L3 lite routing support....? "ears perk up".. IP4/6 ACL support... I like where this is going... 

[thomasthomsen]

Well we have had static routing , and even OSPF on other platforms.

https://documentation.meraki.com/MS/Layer_3_Switching/MS_Layer_3_Switching_and_Routing

But the MS150 is quite comparable to the MS2xx series in this regard.

But more interesting things are coming Im almost sure of it, hint hint, nudge nudge, say no more.

[MB78]

Has anyone seen pricing for the MS150's?

We are planning a 40+ Site setup and plan to use a mix of the 130's and new 150's and ideally need some kind of pricing.

[Mloraditch]

Cisco doesn't post the pricing publically, you need to get that from your reseller. Even the pricing Thomas posted above is just list which is not reflective of even base discounting that everyone gets. With the quantities you are talking about I would expect you to get hefty discounts but your reseller must work with your Cisco account teams to get that pricing to you.

[MB78]

Thanks - my mistake saying Meraki and pricing - we've got Resellers in UK we use, but none of them having the pricing yet.

[Mloraditch]

I'm not sure of the international FCS dates, they may not be available there yet, your Meraki rep may be able to clarify or help point your reseller in the right direction.

[thomasthomsen]

From what I have heard the "MP" models are being shipped fairly quickly (I even got one today, I have not unboxed it yet since Im not in the office).

The non-MP might take a little longer.

[cmr]

In the UK it is looking like 25-90 days for the non-MP models, with only one non PoE model being over 60 days.  I think they are pretty muck ready to go and hopefully will be testing some soon 😎

[thomasthomsen]

Im happy to report that the MS150 comes with rack mounting screws and "cage nuts" (is that the right word?). - Now in a more environmental friendly package inside the box.

This has been, somewhat, missed on the MS130's

Cheers 🙂

[cmr]

Does it really need two 100Gb stacking cables for only 80Gb of stacking in total?

[thomasthomsen]

I didn’t get stacking cables with this one (like on the MS2xx you have to order these separately, and I only got the one switch).

The only thing I can say is that it has two QSFP ports on the back, just like a MS2xx.

And to be completely honest, I kinda "grapped" an old MS225 I had to compare the two, it is almost exactly like a MS225, size and all.

I do have some QSFPs around here somewhere, I wonder if I can create a link with itself just to test if it takes 40 and/or 100G versions ?

[thomasthomsen]

Tried, for fun, to "loop" the two ports on the back with a standard Cisco 40G DAC, no link.

I could not find a 100G cable , or a "Meraki original stack from MS225" to test with.

[thomasthomsen]

This is , so far, the only strange thing.

Keeps being in "not running configured version", the network is set to "the latest and greatest".

But the switch works ... so ...

[cmr]

What version is the network running? It should be 17.1.4, but I am sure you know that... 

[TyShawn]

Nice nice!! How is the fan noise?

[thomasthomsen]

I knew that would be the next question ... somehow 🙂

It is actually not to bad.

Lets say, that the two MS130-8X i just booted next to it, actually produces more noise.

Im sure it can turn up its fan if it gets hot.
But right here, on this table, where I have just set it up to "play", its nice and quiet (not silent, but quiet).

I can make a recording if you like, but then again, that always depends on how loud is your speaker and so on .

[RaphaelL]

I have a MS130-24P and wow the noise is way higher than what I expected

[TyShawn]

HAha next time just read my mind and get ahead of the question 🙂 (all jokes). I don't think a video is required but don't let me stop you. I think as long as it can be tossed in a close and that be enough to block the sound its a win. 

[thomasthomsen]

I will put it this way. I can hear the clicking on my laptop keyboard almost louder then the switch when I type this message.

[KarstenI]

1990th Cherry keyboard? 🙂

[thomasthomsen]

HA HA ....

Your standard Lenovo T16 laptop keyboard.

Of course ... the sound level might depend on your "typing aggression factor", but I think that applies to all keyboards 🙂

[thomasthomsen]

Ok .. here is a phone recording of me plugging it into power, and until it turns "white" and is connected to the dashboard, and the disconnecting power.

At around 54 secs, the switches in the other room (cooled), from "vendor X" spins up their fans, for some reason (they are broken), and they where louder in this room then this switch, at around 3 mins I disconnect the power (switches in the other room still louder).

[thomasthomsen]

The phone was a "hand" away from the switch to the left of it.

Its "processing video" ... but it is only a sound recording .... hmmmmm ...

[TyShawn]

Ok that quiet... I like that a lot!!

[annmarie24us]

Thank you for sharing this is interesting about the noise level.