Meraki Cloud Managed Cellular Gateway (MG21)

Connectivity is the backbone of modern business operations. The Meraki Cloud Managed Cellular Gateway delivers a robust, cloud-managed cellular uplink that can serve as a reliable backup when your primary Internet connection falters, or even as a primary WAN in environments where fixed broadband isn’t feasible. Designed for seamless integration with the Meraki ecosystem, this gateway brings enterprise-grade reliability, simplified deployment, and centralized visibility to networks of all sizes. Whether you’re running a distributed office footprint, a remote site, or a campus with fluctuating connectivity, the Meraki MG21 helps you stay connected, productive, and secure with zero-touch provisioning, intelligent failover, and proactive monitoring via the Meraki Dashboard.

• Cloud-managed cellular gateway for seamless Meraki integration — The MG21 is designed to sit alongside Meraki access points, switches, and security appliances in the cloud-managed ecosystem. This gateway taps into the same cloud-driven management platform, giving you a single pane of glass for provisioning, policy enforcement, and health monitoring across all sites. You’ll gain consistent configuration templates, automatic policy propagation, and real-time visibility that streamline operations for IT teams.
• Automatic WAN failover and reliable backup internet — When a primary uplink (fiber, cable, or DSL) experiences degradation or outage, the MG21 automatically routes traffic over the cellular network to maintain business continuity. This intelligent failover reduces downtime, supports critical applications, and minimizes the disruption that a single point of failure can cause. With flexible failover policies, you can tailor how and when traffic shifts between uplinks to match your network’s performance needs.
• Multi-carrier cellular connectivity with resilient coverage — The gateway leverages cellular networks to provide a dependable uplink regardless of physical location. You can configure SIM profiles to switch between carriers or use multiple SIMs for redundancy, ensuring connectivity even in areas with spotty service. This capability is ideal for remote offices, field operations, or locations where traditional broadband is impractical or cost-prohibitive.
• Enterprise-grade security, policy control, and visibility — Built to protect business data, the MG21 inherits Meraki’s security model, including centralized policy management, traffic shaping, and VPN capabilities. You can enforce firewall rules, apply content filtering, and monitor traffic patterns in real time. The cloud-managed approach means you receive ongoing security updates and policy consistency across all sites without on-site interventions.
• Zero-touch deployment and scalable management — Spanning multiple sites? The MG21 is designed for rapid, zero-touch deployments with minimal on-site configuration. Deploy at new sites, register to the Meraki Dashboard, and push out templates to scale across a campus or distributed organization. Centralized telemetry and alerting help you detect anomalies early, accelerating mean time to repair and keeping your network resilient.

Technical Details of Meraki Cloud Managed Cellular Gateway

• Technical details and specifications are not included in this document. For precise data, refer to the specifications section on the Synnex EC site using the product UPC or SKU as the reference. This ensures you obtain the most accurate, up-to-date information directly from the distributor.

How to Install Meraki Cloud Managed Cellular Gateway

Installing the Meraki MG21 is designed to be straightforward and fast, with the cloud-based Meraki Dashboard handling most of the heavy lifting. Follow these steps to get up and running quickly while ensuring you maximize reliability and performance:

Step 1: Prepare the site and inventory

Before you begin, identify a suitable location for the MG21 near power and a wired network connection for the primary uplink. Ensure you have a valid cellular SIM (or multiple SIMs, if you plan to use multi-carrier redundancy) and a clean, stable power source. Have the Meraki Dashboard credentials ready or ensure you have access to your organization’s Meraki organization and network in the cloud.

Step 2: Connect power and network interfaces

Connect the MG21 to power and attach its Ethernet port to your existing WAN/LAN infrastructure. If you’re using a primary broadband link, connect that link to the appropriate Ethernet port so the gateway can monitor the primary uplink. If you plan to use cellular as the primary, configure the device accordingly, but a backup cellular uplink is a common deployment pattern.

Step 3: Insert SIMs and configure cellular settings

Insert the cellular SIMs into the MG21 according to the device’s documentation. Use the Meraki Dashboard to configure APN settings, carrier profiles, and any data plan considerations. If you’re using multiple SIMs for redundancy, you can designate preferred carriers for specific failover scenarios or geographic coverage. Make sure data usage and roaming settings align with your organization’s policies and compliance requirements.

Step 4: Add the device to the Meraki Dashboard and apply policies

Log in to the Meraki Dashboard and add the MG21 to your network. Apply the same security policies, firewall rules, and VPN configurations that you use for other Meraki devices to maintain consistency. Ensure the device is grouped under the correct site or network tag to receive the appropriate templates and firmware updates. You may want to enable automatic firmware updates to keep the gateway protected against evolving threats while maintaining compatibility with your other Meraki gear.

Step 5: Configure failover, monitoring, and validation

Set your failover criteria, such as latency or uptime thresholds, and specify how traffic should fail over between the primary uplink and cellular link. Enable alerts in the Dashboard so you receive notifications if uplink status or performance deteriorates. Finally, run end-to-end connectivity tests: verify that traffic switches to cellular during a simulated outage, confirm VPN sessions re-establish, and monitor metrics like uptime, throughput, and packet loss to validate that the failover works as intended.

Step 6: Optimize performance and scale as needed

Fine-tune QoS and bandwidth policies to prioritize critical applications during failover. If you’re deploying across multiple locations, replicate the configuration using device templates to ensure uniform policies and predictable behavior. Leverage Meraki’s analytics and dashboards to monitor usage trends, identify bottlenecks, and adjust data plans or carrier profiles to optimize cost and reliability over time.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the Meraki Cloud Managed Cellular Gateway used for?

  A: It provides a reliable cellular uplink for Meraki networks, functioning as a backup or primary WAN option to ensure continuous connectivity, especially in environments with limited fixed broadband options or where network uptime is mission-critical.

• Q: How does failover work with the MG21?

  A: The MG21 continuously monitors the primary uplink and automatically routes traffic through the cellular connection when the primary link degrades or goes offline. You can configure failover policies based on performance metrics such as latency, packet loss, or bandwidth thresholds.

• Q: Can the MG21 be managed entirely from the Meraki Dashboard?

  A: Yes. The device is cloud-managed, enabling centralized configuration, monitoring, and policy enforcement across all sites from the Meraki Dashboard. This simplifies administration and ensures consistency across your network.

• Q: Do I need a Meraki license to use the MG21?

  A: Yes. Meraki devices require a valid Meraki license to operate and be managed through the dashboard. Licensing ensures ongoing software updates, security features, and access to cloud management capabilities.

• Q: What about SIM cards and data plans?

  A: The MG21 uses cellular SIMs for the uplink. You’ll need appropriate SIMs from a carrier, with data plans suitable for your site’s traffic. APN settings and carrier profiles must be configured in the Meraki Dashboard. Consider multiple SIMs for redundancy if your location has variable carrier coverage.