MR 34 Replacement / upgrade

[AbbyDoc-UK]

Hi Community,

I am looking to replace some MR34 APs.

I thought I would throw the floor open to get some suggestions for possible replacements or upgrade that could also offer improved coverage? it ispossible that I would also need to add some extenders as a reapeters / mesh solution.

All suggestions welcomed.

Thank you

AbbyDoc

[Mloraditch · Accepted solution]

So MR34s were AC Wave 1.  Shipping models are WiFi6/6e/7. I would be looking at WiFi 6e or WiFi 7 APs. the WiFi 7 APs with WiFi 6E equivalents (9172/9162, 9176/9166 and 9178/MR57) are the same pricing so you may need to look at whether you have the necessary PoE/Switch capacity or are okay with low power mode or injectors on a Wifi 7 option.

For a rough mapping of the SKUs between generations look here: https://community.meraki.com/t5/Full-Stack-Network-Wide/Really-Cool-Meraki-Product-Line-Trees/m-p/27...

At the moment that means CW9164 or 9176s are the closest equivalent.

This is just scratching the surface and there is a lot to look at here coming forward so many generations. If you or a partner you work with can do a fresh wifi survey you may likely benefit!

[AbbyDoc-UK]

Thank you for your contibution, you are right, I was looking at the CW9164 as a sweet spot solution for the upgrade and yes I would be conducting  a WiFi survey going forward. Don't have the nessary switches to support WiFi 7 for now.

Regards,

Abby

[KarstenI]

If your switches support PoE+ (at) power, you are likely all set for the low- to mid-range Wi-Fi 7 APs. Only with the High End models you need PoE++ (bt) power and MultiGig.

For your replacement, I would not go for the 916x anymore. They are great APs, but the 917x are likely longer supported. The 9172 would be the cost-effective solution; the 9176 is expensive, but it's just a great AP. If you can wait a little bit, the 9174 might approach soon. This will likely be the best "general-use" AP.

[AbbyDoc-UK]

@KarstenI Thank you for your contribution, I would certainly will add your suggestions to my design consideration.

I did look at the 9172 but looks like Four 4x4 MU-MIMO cannot beused for (5 GHz & 6 GHz) at the same time.

Do have some indication when the 9174 will be available and specs?

[KarstenI]

You are right, it is 2*2 on 5 and 6 GHz, but you could run it in 2*2 on 2.4 and 4*4 on 5 if you wish. With that, you wouldn't really lose anything compared to the MR34.

I don't have any good info on the CW9174, but there are rumors that Cisco TAC is already getting training on this device. But that doesn't mean we can buy it anytime soon.