Cisco Meraki MR26-HW Full English Description

Listing Title

Full Commercial Product Description

1. Dedicated Third Independent Dual-Band Radio for 24/7 Air Marshal WIDS/WIPS & RF Spectrum Analytics: Unlike the dual-radio MR24 which only performs opportunistic background scanning, the MR26’s separate third radio operates continuously across both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands to scan the full RF spectrum, identifying non-Wi-Fi interference sources (microwaves, Bluetooth devices, industrial electrical motors) and unauthorized rogue wireless transmitters at all times without disrupting active client data traffic. The Meraki cloud dynamically adjusts AP channel selection, transmit power levels and client roaming handoff thresholds based on real-time spectrum data to maintain consistent high-performance wireless connectivity. Air Marshal delivers real-time wireless intrusion detection and prevention, supporting automatic rogue AP containment and cloud-based security forensic logging.
2. Self-Healing Zero-Configuration Multi-Hop Wireless Mesh Networking: MR26 APs automatically establish wireless mesh backhaul links to extend wireless coverage to remote building wings, basements and campus zones without physical Ethernet cabling. If the primary wired uplink fails, the AP seamlessly switches to mesh routing to preserve internet access for all connected wireless clients, supporting load-balanced mesh gateway deployments for scalable campus-wide coverage extension.
3. Layer7 Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) Application-Aware QoS & Identity-Based Stateful Layer3-7 Firewall: The integrated DPI engine classifies hundreds of distinct application-level wireless traffic streams, including enterprise VoIP voice, HD video conferencing, social media streaming, P2P file sharing and cloud SaaS business applications. Network administrators configure granular QoS priority rules to prioritize latency-sensitive mission-critical business communications while enforcing configurable bandwidth rate caps on recreational non-business traffic to eliminate wireless network congestion during peak user hours. The identity-aware stateful Layer3-7 firewall assigns custom access control policies, VLAN tags and bandwidth limits based on individual user identity groups or specific client devices, with native NAC endpoint security integration capabilities.
4. Unified Enterprise Wireless Security Suite: AES hardware-accelerated WPA2-Enterprise 802.1X authentication with native Active Directory, LDAP and RADIUS identity database integration for granular enterprise user access control. Fully customizable branded captive portal splash pages deliver secure internet-only guest visitor access with built-in wireless client isolation to block peer-to-peer communication between untrusted visitor devices, reducing enterprise network security attack surfaces. Meraki Teleworker IPsec VPN extends secure corporate LAN connectivity to remote branch sites without mandatory client-side VPN software on end-user devices. Built-in PCI compliance audit reporting simplifies retail payment network security validation.
5. Built-In Location Analytics: Cloud-hosted visitor and endpoint location tracking metrics including client capture rate, average session duration and repeat visitor statistics, ideal for retail stores, conference centers and school campus space utilization analysis.

Three Independent Radio Hardware Architecture

1. 2.4GHz 802.11b/g/n Client Radio: 3×3 MIMO three independent spatial streams, supports 20MHz and 40MHz channel bonding, transmit beamforming, maximal ratio combining (MRC), cyclic shift diversity (CSD) and A-MPDU/A-MSDU packet aggregation. Max single-band PHY throughput: 450 Mbps; integrated omnidirectional internal antennas optimized for wide-area indoor coverage.
2. 5GHz 802.11a/n Client Radio: 3×3 MIMO three independent spatial streams, supports 20MHz and 40MHz channel widths, DFS radar frequency avoidance, beamforming and MRC receive diversity. Max single-band PHY throughput: 450 Mbps; integrated internal antennas with reduced adjacent-channel RF interference for high-density client environments.
   Total aggregate dual-band client Wi-Fi PHY throughput reaches900 Mbps.
3. Dedicated Independent Dual-Band Third Radio: Separate fully isolated radio operating concurrently with the two client data radios, continuously scanning both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands 24/7 for Air Marshal WIDS/WIPS threat detection and full-spectrum RF analytics without impacting client throughput or coverage range.

Core Hardware Interfaces

1. Eth0 Primary Gigabit Uplink Port: 10/100/1000BASE-T auto-sensing RJ45 port, IEEE 802.3af Class 3 PoE PD compliant (37–57V DC PoE input). This primary port delivers all uplink data traffic and PoE power supply for standard ceiling/wall mounted deployments.
2. Eth1 Secondary Fast Ethernet Auxiliary Port: 10/100BASE-T RJ45 non-PoE port, dedicated to connecting stationary wired peripheral devices including IP surveillance cameras, network printers and retail POS payment terminals to extend corporate wired LAN coverage via the AP’s primary uplink.
3. DC Power Input Jack: Center-positive 12V DC power connector for alternative local power supply deployments where PoE-capable switches or injectors are unavailable; matching 12V DC external power adapter sold separately and not bundled with standard AP packaging.
4. Control & Security Hardware Components: Recessed factory reset button (long press 5+ seconds fully erases local AP configuration), concealed cable routing bay, Torx anti-tamper security screw mounting holes, integrated Kensington physical anti-theft lock hardpoint on chassis side panel.
5. Multi-Color Front Status LED Array: Visual status indicators for power supply state, Meraki cloud dashboard internet connectivity, wireless radio active operation and hardware fault alarm notifications. LED operation states: solid orange = booting/cloud connection attempt; solid green = fully operational and cloud-connected; flashing orange = hardware fault or cloud connectivity loss.
6. No external RF antenna ports; all three radio arrays utilize factory-integrated non-detachable omnidirectional internal antennas.

Supported Operation Modes

1. Cloud-Managed CAPWAP Gateway Access Point Mode (Default): Zero-touch Meraki cloud orchestration for all wireless client access, centralized RF tuning, enterprise security policy enforcement and automated background firmware upgrades.
2. Wireless Mesh Backhaul Node Mode: Self-configuring multi-hop wireless mesh routing to extend wireless coverage to remote building zones lacking physical Ethernet uplink cabling; automatic failover between wired primary uplink and wireless mesh gateway links upon wired network outage.

Key Cloud-Managed Software & Enterprise Feature Set

1. Meraki Cloud Dashboard Zero-Touch Provisioning

2. Multi-SSID & 802.1Q VLAN Segmentation

3. Custom Branded Captive Portal Guest Access

4. Layer7 DPI Application-Aware QoS & Identity-Based Stateful Layer3-7 Firewall

5. Comprehensive Enterprise Wireless Security Suite

• Encryption Standards: Static WEP, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK personal encryption; WPA2-Enterprise AES hardware acceleration with full IEEE 802.1X EAP-TLS/PEAP/EAP-FAST enterprise authentication suites.
• Identity Integration: Native Active Directory, LDAP and RADIUS server identity database integration for enterprise user authentication and role-based network access control.
• Auxiliary Security Features: Dedicated third radio 24/7 Air Marshal WIDS/WIPS rogue AP detection and automatic containment, hidden SSID broadcast suppression, wireless client isolation, Meraki Teleworker IPsec VPN for secure remote branch corporate LAN extension, identity policy firewall for granular user/device network access control, built-in PCI compliance audit reporting for retail payment environments.

6. Unified Cloud Management Interfaces

• Meraki Cloud Dashboard: Centralized browser-based graphical management platform accessible from any internet-connected desktop or mobile device; delivers full AP configuration editing, real-time wireless client monitoring, historical network performance trend reporting, location analytics, bulk automated firmware upgrades and customizable email/SMS fault alert notification functions for all deployed MR26 access points across multiple distributed enterprise branch locations.
• Meraki Mobile Dashboard App: Smartphone/tablet mobile application for on-the-go real-time wireless network status monitoring and basic configuration adjustment tasks for field IT technicians.
• SNMP v2c/v3 network monitoring integration: Fully compatible with mainstream third-party enterprise network monitoring and industrial SCADA platform systems.
• Centralized cloud event logging and customizable email/SMS fault alert notifications for complete network audit tracking and real-time hardware/security issue reporting.

Power Supply Compatibility

1. Full-performance PoE operation: IEEE 802.3af Class 3 PoE PD input via primary Gigabit uplink port, powered by PoE-capable Gigabit switches or dedicated Meraki PoE injectors.
2. Local DC power alternative: Separate 12V DC external power adapter (sold separately, not bundled with standard AP packaging).
3. Typical full-load power consumption: Maximum 13.2 W under simultaneous active three-radio operation with both Ethernet ports fully populated.

Physical & Environmental Specifications

• Dimensions (W × D × H): Low-profile square chassis optimized for ceiling flush mounting
• Unit Weight: Lightweight white fire-resistant plastic chassis
• Mounting Options: Desktop placement with bundled anti-slip rubber feet, vertical wall mounting, flush drop ceiling T-bar grid mounting via complete included universal mounting bracket and full hardware kit
• Plenum Rating: UL2043 certified low-smoke fireproof chassis, approved for installation inside suspended ceiling air-handling plenum spaces in commercial office, school and hospital buildings
• Operating Temperature Range: 0°C ~ +40°C indoor use only (not rated for outdoor deployment)
• Storage Temperature Range: -20°C ~ +70°C
• Operating Humidity: 5% – 95% non-condensing
• Storage Humidity: 5% – 90% non-condensing
• System Memory & Storage: Embedded Meraki custom cloud-managed operating system, dedicated three-radio wireless processing chipset, onboard flash storage for cloud firmware images and persistent local configuration cache
• Regulatory RF Certifications: Global multi-domain SKU supporting FCC Part 15 (North America), ETSI EN 300328 / EN 301893 (EMEA), TELEC Japan, KCC Korea regional RF emission compliance, EMI Class B household electronic equipment certification
• Maximum Concurrent Client Capacity: Up to 65 connected wireless clients; recommended maximum 32 simultaneous active business users for stable low-latency throughput performance
• Warranty: Limited lifetime hardware warranty for original end-user purchasers
• EOL Status: End-of-sale discontinued legacy 802.11n model, superseded by modern Meraki Wi-Fi 5/Wi-Fi 6 AP models (MR33, MR44)

Key Specification Bullet Points

• Model: MR26-HW (Cisco Meraki Three-Radio Dual-Concurrent 3×3 MIMO 802.11n Plenum-Rated Cloud-Managed Indoor Enterprise Wireless Access Point with Dedicated 24/7 WIDS/WIPS Third Radio)
• Wireless Standard: IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n dual-concurrent client radios (2.4GHz + 5GHz), 3×3 MIMO three spatial streams per radio; independent third dual-band scanning radio for security & RF analytics
• Max Combined Aggregate Client PHY Throughput: Up to 900 Mbps (450 Mbps per radio band)
• Antennas: Non-detachable built-in omnidirectional internal antennas for all three radios, optimized for wide indoor coverage
• Wired Ports: 1 × Gigabit 10/100/1000 BASE-T PoE uplink port (IEEE 802.3af PoE PD supported); 1 × 10/100 Fast Ethernet secondary auxiliary wired peripheral port
• Operation Modes: Cloud-managed CAPWAP AP gateway mode, self-healing multi-hop wireless mesh backhaul node mode
• Core Exclusive Cloud-Managed Functions: Dedicated fully independent third radio for round-the-clock Air Marshal WIDS/WIPS threat detection and continuous full-band RF spectrum analytics; Meraki cloud dashboard zero-touch provisioning; automatic cloud-driven RF optimization with 24/7 spectrum visibility; self-healing zero-configuration multi-hop wireless mesh networking; Layer7 DPI application-aware QoS traffic shaping & identity-based stateful Layer3-7 firewall; multi-SSID 802.1Q VLAN network segmentation; customizable branded captive portal guest access with wireless client isolation; built-in location analytics for visitor endpoint tracking
• QoS: WMM TSPEC wireless multimedia VoIP voice and HD video traffic prioritization with configurable application bandwidth rate limiting
• Network Stack: Native IPv4 stack; static IP address configurable on primary Gigabit uplink port
• Security: WEP/WPA/WPA2 PSK/Enterprise 802.1X EAP enterprise authentication, MAC address ACL filtering, dedicated third radio Air Marshal rogue AP detection & automatic containment, hidden SSID broadcast suppression, wireless client device isolation, Meraki Teleworker IPsec remote site VPN, identity-based Layer3-7 stateful policy firewall, built-in PCI compliance audit reporting, native NAC endpoint security integration
• Management: Meraki cloud dashboard web graphical user interface, Meraki mobile monitoring smartphone/tablet application, SNMPv3 third-party network monitoring integration, centralized cloud event logging and customizable email/SMS fault alert notifications
• Power Options: IEEE 802.3af PoE input via primary Gigabit uplink port or separate 12V DC local power adapter (sold separately, not included in standard packaging)
• Physical Mount: Desktop placement with anti-slip rubber feet, vertical wall mounting, flush drop ceiling T-bar grid mounting with included universal mounting bracket and full hardware kit
• Environmental Restriction: Indoor use only, operating temperature range 0°C~40°C; UL2043 plenum-rated for ceiling air-handling plenum installation
• Typical Deployment Scenarios: Ultra-high-density multi-room enterprise corporate office campuses, K-12 school classrooms and large lecture halls, multi-floor hospital patient wings and medical facilities, large hotel guest floor wireless coverage, retail chain large-format shopping mall concourses, campus-wide multi-zone high-throughput enterprise voice/video unified communications wireless deployments
• Warranty: Limited lifetime hardware warranty for original end-user purchasers
• EOL Status: Discontinued end-of-sale legacy 802.11n access point, superseded by modern Meraki Wi-Fi 5/Wi-Fi 6 AP models (MR33, MR44)

Model Quick Reference

• MR26-HW: Base hardware SKU of Meraki MR26 three-radio dual-band 3×3 MIMO 802.11n plenum-rated cloud-managed indoor enterprise AP
• Platform Differentiation vs MR24 Dual-Radio AP: MR24 only features two client radios with opportunistic background RF scanning; MR26 adds a fully independent dedicated third radio operating 24/7 exclusively for Air Marshal WIDS/WIPS and continuous spectrum analytics without client performance impact
• Platform Distinction vs Entry-Level MR12/MR16 APs: MR12 single-band 2.4GHz-only AP; MR16 dual-band 2×2 MIMO AP with lower total throughput and no dedicated security scanning radio; MR26 upgrades to premium 3×3 three spatial stream MIMO architecture delivering double per-radio throughput, enhanced coverage range, higher concurrent client support and industry-exclusive third security radio for high-density enterprise environments
• Platform Distinction vs Autonomous Small Business WAP Series APs (WAP121/WAP321/WAP581/WAP712): Meraki MR26 operates exclusively under Meraki cloud centralized management with zero-touch provisioning, automated cloud RF optimization, native self-healing wireless mesh networking and dedicated third-radio enterprise wireless intrusion prevention; Cisco Small Business WAP series are standalone autonomous APs without cloud controller dependency or Meraki exclusive multi-radio security and cloud automation features
• Upgraded Alternatives: Meraki MR33 Wi-Fi 5 dual-band cloud-managed AP (current mainstream enterprise replacement for EOL MR26 hardware)