Updated Onboarding and Migration Process for Hybrid (Cloud Monitored)

[Mloraditch]

I just switched the one 9200 I have that happened to already be on 17.15.3 to Hybrid in 5 minutes . New onboarding is super simple:

https://documentation.meraki.com/MS/Cloud-Native_IOS_XE/Connect_Hybrid_Operating_Mode_Catalyst_Switc...

https://documentation.meraki.com/MS/Cloud-Native_IOS_XE/Upgrading_Cloud-Monitored_Switches_to_Hybrid...

This is in the Latest IOS-XE Release notes but I thought deserved a separate call out as it's not really the same thing.

[Paccers]

Interesting, I see no mention of a requirement for ip routing command to be used vs ip default-gateway, as was the case for Cloud Monitoring for Catalyst (even for Monitored mode) - can anyone verify it's not required?

IP routing not included in the Hybrid Operating Mode Switches Configuration list either

[pdeleuw]

My switch was configured with ip-routing, so I cannot verify this. But I had to configure aaa new-model. After onboarding, the dashbard showed an alert "aaa new-model is not acitivated". I configured it, and after a few minutes the configuration was completed by the dashboard.

[JeroenVercoulen]

I've got already several switches running on version 17.15.2 and will be upgrading them to 17.15.3.

The new Cloud Monitoring is indeed much simpler then before. I need to upgrade all of them to do it the correct way. 🙂

[JeroenVercoulen]

Just updated a c9200-48P from 17.12.3 to 17.15.3 the following way

1. Removed it from the Meraki Dashboard
2. Updated the firmware
3. Added it to the Meraki Dashboard

The following issue arose. I didn't get a question about the credentials for Hybrid mode. Now it's added as a Meraki cloud managed switch. The configuration was lost so I had to recreate the configuration. Luckily only AP's where connected who all had the same config.

[Mloraditch]

It's a 9200 not 9200L??? Those are not supposed to work in cloud managed mode yet... interesting if it's otherwise working but you want to check with support as you could end up in a sketchy situation.

[JeroenVercoulen]

This could be indeed a sketchy situation. For now it's working and accepting changes in the configuration. I already mailed my Cisco Account manager for it.

[JeroenVercoulen]

Had contact with someone from Meraki Support. The person claimed it was supported.
So also send the case to my Account manager because I don't think it's true. But on the other hand. Another switch shows this with the same firmware version and running in Hybrid mode already.

===========================================================================================

Meraki Cloud Monitoring: Compatible

===========================================================================================

Meraki Cloud Management:

Compatibility Check     Status

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Boot Mode               INSTALL  - Compatible

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Switch#  SKU                                Bootloader Version              Network Modules

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2        C9200-48P          - Compatible    17.15.1r        - Compatible    C9200-NM-4X    - Compatible 

Compatible SKUs: C9200-24P, C9200-24T, C9200-48P, C9200-48T, C9200-24PXG, C9200-48PXG, C9200-48PL

Compatible NMs : C9200-NM-4G, C9200-NM-4X, C9200-NM-2Y, C9200-NM-2Q

[Mloraditch]

My gut feeling is the IOS XE code is ready for the 9200s but some difference in the Ls vs not Ls is significant enough the back end is not officially ready.

Curious what they end up telling you because Id love to be able to be selling 9200s in Meraki mode.

[JeroenVercoulen]

We've got a whole bunch of 9200s that  would love to have in Meraki mode. I want to wait what Cisco gives me back on this before I go forward moving all 9200s from the old Cloud-Monitored mode to Hybrid mode, because if it failes more I would seriously have a problem. Now I've got enough spares to swap this one.

[Jeff-L]

Supported models for cloud operating mode (fully managed) are available here.

Supported models for hybrid mode are available here.

[Lurick]

Had a similar issue with a 9300LM (Not L-M) where it tried and failed to convert to Meraki mode since that SKU line isn't supported yet. I also got no prompt for Hybrid or Managed mode when adding via the dashboard either and it appears to default to managed mode so I've got a case open for that. I also have no MAC or Cloud ID now in Show Meraki on the switch and get a SUDI error when trying to register again so I need to reboot the switch to fix that as well, so that's fun.

Edit:

What's interesting is things worked fine in the Beta via Stomio on 17.15.2 but when I removed and upgraded to add the switch back on 17.15.3 that's where the issues started.

[JeroenVercoulen]

According to my Cisco Account manager this shouldn't be possible. They want me to contact support again to see what is happening.

[Jeff-L]

For clarification, hybrid mode is being rolled out in phases and is not available to everyone yet. If you do not see the option to select hybrid mode, please check back again soon.

Any switches added to organizations where hybrid mode is not yet available will be added to cloud operating (fully managed) mode.

[JeroenVercoulen]

@Jeff-Lthe thing is, Our organization was enrolled in the private beta testing this before. So I already have several switches in this Org running in Hybrid mode. That is why in my understanding it was already working in my org.

[Lurick]

Same here regarding the private beta.

@Jeff-L It would be nice if the "defaults to fully managed" was called out explicitly while this is rolling out. I can definitely see people getting into trouble like @JeroenVercoulen experienced if they don't know that.

[Jeff-L]

Documentation was updated last week to reflect this caveat. At this time, hybrid mode is available to everyone, so this should no longer be a concern. Let us know if you do not see the option at this time.

[Jeff-L]

As an update, hybrid mode is now available to all organizations. If you do not see the choice to onboard in hybrid mode, please reach out to Support for assistance.

[JeroenVercoulen]

Migrating back to Cat9k mode took about 7 minutes. Than you have a factory default switch you need to reconfigure.  Re-configuring is easy when you have a backup config

[JeroenVercoulen]

I've got Hybrid mode now available for my org. I migrated a stack of 4 switches to hybrid mode from cloud-monitoring mode. First of all it's a very easy process. as stated I added only the active member (in my opinion the stack master) to the network. But then the other switches aren't added at all. Does anybody know how this works? I tried to add a stack member later, but it failed to add and gave some ssh errors.

Also the device tracking and monitoring commands aren't added to the stack member switches.

[Jeff-L]

You can try removing the one switch from the network and then selecting all stack members to add them at the same time.