Steps for Deploying Meraki SD-WAN on Existing MX Appliances

Steps for Deploying Meraki SD-WAN on Existing MX Appliances:

1. Log into the Meraki Dashboard:

   • Access the Meraki Dashboard via your browser. If you don't already have a Meraki account, you’ll need to create one.

2. Verify MX Firmware:

   • Ensure your Meraki MX device is running the latest firmware version that includes SD-WAN features. Meraki frequently updates firmware, and SD-WAN functionality has been part of the firmware for several years, so your existing devices should be capable of running SD-WAN features.

3. Configure SD-WAN:

   • Under the Security & SD-WAN section of the Dashboard, configure your SD-WAN settings:
     • Set up WAN links: Define primary and secondary WAN links (such as MPLS, broadband, or LTE).
     • Define traffic shaping policies: Create rules to prioritize traffic for business-critical applications (like VoIP, video, cloud apps).
     • Configure automatic failover: Enable automatic WAN failover in case a primary WAN link fails.

4. Test and Monitor:

   • Once configured, use the Meraki Dashboard’s monitoring tools to watch the performance of your WAN links. You can check the health of each link and ensure that traffic is being routed according to your policies.
   • Use the Traffic Analytics feature to assess application performance and adjust policies as needed.

5. Add New Sites (if applicable):

   • If you are expanding to new locations, simply deploy a new Meraki MX device at each site, and it will automatically pull the configuration from the cloud and be ready to operate with SD-WAN and other security policies applied.