How to connect MG21E via PoE switch to the MX

SCC
Building a reputation

How to connect MG21E via PoE switch to the MX

Hi All,

 

Please advise how can I connect the MG21E via a PoE switch to the MX.

I do not want to use the PoE Injector for MG21E

 

Thanks

 

5 Replies 5
oldroo
Getting noticed

Connect the MG21E to the PoE switch via cat 5e or above patch lead. Then make sure you enable the POE functionality on that switch port.

 

Then patch your PoE switch to your MX device. You don't enable Poe on the port going to the MX.

 

 

SCC
Building a reputation

@oldroo One more thing, then I need to make sure that all these ports are in one VLAN.

I can have one VLAN just for this Cellular WAN traffic? correct?

 

 

Bruce
Kind of a big deal

Yes, the port that goes to the MX and the port that goes to the MG21 need to be in the same VLAN, most likely with nothing else on this VLAN. If you're using an MS as the PoE source then you need to also make sure that you have given consideration to where your management IP address is coming from - is it from the MG21? Or if the MS is also connected to the LAN side of the MX is it from an internal network?

 

And finally if you are using an MS and it is connected to both the WAN and LAN ports then expect some impact on the accuracy of the reporting through the Dashboard as it may well be double counting traffic.

 

Personal opinion: using a power injector for the MG21 is actually the best solution, but if you want to use a PoE switch dedicate it to the WAN side of the MX (in which case why not just use a power injector?), and if you do use an MS connected to both the LAN and WAN, just be aware of the impact it may have on your reporting.

GreenMan
Meraki Employee
Meraki Employee

If you have an MX with built-in PoE ports (MX65 or 68), you can use one of those two ports to power the MG, then connect the other MG port to that MXs WAN/Internet port.    You would want to configure the MX PoE port to prevent traffic flow over it.   It's not ideal, but it will work.

That sounds like a suitable workaround, but obviously not ideal if the MG21 is further away (dual cable runs).

 

It also prevents the "MG to dual MX" HA option... so unfortunately the "dedicated VLAN on a PoE switch" seems like the best option.

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