MX85 Explained: The Ultimate Guide to Cisco Meraki MX85-HW

If you’re in the business of keeping networks secure and efficient, then you’ve probably heard of Cisco’s Meraki MX85. This isn’t just another security appliance; it’s a game-changer for medium-sized businesses and branch offices. Designed to support up to 250 users, this next-gen MX firewall packs a punch with features like stateful firewall capabilities, Layer 7 application visibility, and deep packet inspection. In this guide, we’re diving deep into what makes the MX85-HW tick, its standout features, and why it might just be the missing piece in your network puzzle.

What is the Meraki MX85-HW?

The Meraki MX85-HW is a powerhouse next-generation firewall and security appliance designed for medium-sized businesses, distributed enterprises, and branch offices. It’s engineered to support up to 250 users, combining advanced security features, robust networking capabilities, and a user-friendly cloud-based management platform. It’s a part of Cisco’s Meraki security and SD-WAN appliances lineup, designed to work seamlessly with Meraki’s teleworker and cellular gateways, wireless access points, switches, MDM, and IoT.

Key Features and Benefits

The MX85-HW is chock-full of features and benefits that make it a top choice for organizations seeking reliable and secure networking solutions. Let’s delve into some of its key features:

Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW)

The MX85-HW isn’t your average MX firewall; it’s a next-gen powerhouse. Beyond the basic stateful firewall, it offers Layer 7 application visibility, allowing you to identify and control applications, not just ports. Add deep packet inspection to the mix, and you’ve got a robust defense against a wide range of cyber threats.

Site-to-Site VPN

Secure connectivity is a must in today’s remote work environment. The MX85-HW comes with built-in site-to-site VPN capabilities, making it a breeze to connect branch offices, remote workers, and your main headquarters. It uses IPsec VPN with AES encryption, ensuring top-notch security during data transfers.

Integrated Wireless

Why juggle multiple devices when you can have it all in one? The Meraki security appliance Cisco Meraki MX75 and MX85 offers integrated wireless access points, effectively merging the capabilities of a robust firewall with the convenience of Wi-Fi. This not only simplifies your network architecture but also makes management a whole lot easier.

Cloud-based Management

One of the crown jewels of the MX85-HW is its cloud-based management platform. This isn’t just a web interface; it’s a full-fledged dashboard that gives you real-time analytics, automated alerts, and remote troubleshooting capabilities. Manage your MX security appliance like a pro, from anywhere, at any time.

High Performance

When we say the MX85-HW is built for performance, we mean it. With a 1 Gbps firewall throughput and 500 Mbps VPN throughput, this device can handle the data demands of medium-sized businesses without breaking a sweat. It’s not just fast; it’s reliable too.

Connectivity

The MX85-HW offers a variety of connectivity options to suit your needs. It comes with two GbE SFP WAN ports for high-speed internet access and two GbE RJ45 WAN ports, one of which supports PoE. On the LAN side, you get eight GbE RJ45 ports and two GbE SFP ports, offering flexibility for various network configurations.

Advanced Analytics

Data-driven decision-making is the future, and the MX85-HW is ahead of the curve with its advanced analytics capabilities. Powered by machine learning, this feature helps you identify network usage patterns, spot anomalies, and even predict potential issues before they become problems.

Meraki MX85-HW: Use Cases

The Meraki MX85-HW is a versatile beast, suitable for a variety of scenarios and industries. Here are a few examples:

• Branch Offices: The MX85-HW is an excellent choice for branch offices that require secure connectivity, advanced firewall capabilities, and integrated wireless access points.
• Retail Stores: Retail stores can benefit from the MX85-HW’s centralized management platform, making it easier to manage multiple locations from a single dashboard.
• Healthcare: In the healthcare industry, security and compliance are paramount. The MX85-HW’s advanced security features make it a great fit for healthcare organizations.
• Education: Schools and universities can leverage the MX85-HW’s robust networking capabilities and cloud-based management to provide a secure and scalable network infrastructure.

Setting Up and Configuring the Meraki MX85-HW

Setting up the MX85-HW is a breeze, thanks to its zero-touch provisioning. True zero-touch provisioning allows for smartphone-like firmware updates. Here’s how to get started:

• Unboxing and Physical Setup: Connect the device to power, your network infrastructure, and any necessary antennas.
• Initial Configuration: Access the device’s management interface and follow the setup wizard to configure basic network settings like IP addresses, VLANs, and DHCP.
• Cloud-based Management: Create a Meraki account and add your MX85-HW device to your organization. Once added, you can manage the device through the Meraki dashboard, giving you the power to monitor, configure, and troubleshoot your network from anywhere.

FAQs

Is the MX85 a Router?

Yes, the Meraki MX 85 is a router and much more. It’s a next-generation firewall with advanced security features like VPN and cloud-based management, ideal for medium-sized businesses.

What Is an MX85?

The Meraki MX 85 is a versatile networking device from Cisco Meraki. It serves as a next-gen firewall and security appliance, supporting up to 250 users and offering cloud-based management.

What Is the Difference Between MX75 and MX85?

The Meraki MX 85 is designed for medium-sized businesses, supporting more users and offering higher performance. The MX75 is generally for smaller setups and is less feature-rich, making it more budget-friendly.

In the Final Analysis

So, there you have it—the ins and outs of Cisco Meraki MX85, a device that’s as versatile as it is powerful. This device is tailor-made for medium-sized businesses and branch offices that refuse to compromise on performance or security.

If you’re looking to amp up your network security and efficiency, the Meraki MX85-HW is your go-to solution. Imagine having a next-gen firewall, cloud-based management, and high-speed connectivity all rolled into one device. Intrigued? Head over to Direct Macro to discover how the Meraki MX85-HW can transform your network from good to great.