Precautions when replacing MR to CW9172

[Snika]

We plan to replace the MR with the CW9172.

MX provides cold swap guides, and attention must be paid to port mapping.

Are there any precautions when replacing the MR series with the CW series?

[KarstenI]

The most important thing is that CW917x needs a different license when you are already on Meraki Subscription. That's a real Pita. Other than that, just swap them as before with MR-X -> MR-Y.

[Snika]

We are currently using an MR Enterprise license.
We have purchased an additional MR Enterprise license.
Can the CW series use the MR Enterprise license?
And what do MR-X and MR-Y mean?

[DarrenOC]

@KarstenI is referring to going from one MR version to another

[Snika]

MX supports cold swaps.
Does MR not support replacement?
Do I need to remove the existing MR, connect the new MR, and then manually set the IP, location, hostname?

Because the MRs I need to replace number over 1,000.

[cmr]

@Snika there is a new AP zero touch feature that you might want to use.  It has to be enabled under Organisation / Early Access.  The documentation is here: AP Zero Touch Deployment - Cisco Meraki Documentation

[cmr]

The part about half way down about replacements is I think what you need:

Replace existing APs

AP Zero Touch Deployment relies on the CDP / LLDP information to automatically map a new AP to an existing AP that it is replacing. Because of this, ensure that new AP is connected to the same switch and switch port as the existing AP it is replacing. If the CDP / LLDP information matches between APs, the new AP will automatically have its settings pre-populated during the workflow.

[KarstenI]

Actually, I was thinking about going from one MR model to another, like you had the MR32 and go to MR36. Same procedere.

For MR-Enterprise, do you mean CoTerm Licensing? Then everything stays the same for the licensing.

[RaphaelL]

Licensing has been covered by Karstenl.  You will have to replace the brackets since they are not compatible.

[KarstenI]

Oh, good point. Easy to forget when you have never seen 99% of the devices you manage. 🙂

[JamesT91]

You didn't say what model MR you are replacing but your new CW9172 has a 2.5 Gbps mGig Ethernet port, so there may be planning/changes that need to occur LAN side to support that (if you wanted too).

[jrhop]

We have found that signal range going from MR33 to CW9172 is quite a bit worse. We have had to purchase additional APs to cover the same area's the MR33 covered. This is after cases open with Meraki and adjusting settings. We had to settle with turning off the 6GHz radio and having 2 x 5GHz. Suggest you do as much testing as possible before replacing them all.

We didn't do anything with our licences, just swapped the APs and used the same licences.

[KarstenI]

Using the same license is possible while you are still in tzhe CoTerm licensing model. The moment you move to Subscription, these APs need different Licenses.

For your coverage Area: Yes, different APs have different radiation patterns. That's the reason a new wireless design should ideally be done for the new intended AP model.