Tip1 - Tagging. Not only does tagging come in useful for updating port configs (ie. all ports with VOIP, AP, etc. tag) but also with monitoring/alerting (ie. on only ports with UPLINK tag). But our biggest use is with our wireless environment that has multiple SSID's configured, but only certain SSID's should be broadcast in certain areas. Tagging allows us to enable all SSID's, but limits which SSID's are broadcast by which AP's (by floor, building, business function, etc.) Tip2 - Templates. I'm at the beginning stages of using templates, so I don't know all the ins/outs yet, but has definitely streamlined our rollout to 4,000+ branches. First, we put our branches into multiple groups with similar attributes that would also have the same technology needs (ie. sites without wifi, sites with employee/guest wifi, sites that use specific devices that connect to cloud resources, etc.) Then, we assign each network we build to a specific template that has the standard switchport or wireless settings pre-configured. The tech then just installs the gear according to the installation guide, and voila! Branch is installed. BONUS: Use Meraki Documentation. It's MUCH easier to read and understand than Cisco's.
... View more