Efficiently setting up and managing Cisco Meraki products starts with understanding the licensing requirements. All Cisco Meraki products require valid licenses to operate, and the company offers two licensing models: per-device licensing (PDL), the newer option, and co-termination licensing (co-term), the traditional model. Managing these licenses is streamlined through the Organization > Configure > License Information page, where all operations relating to Cisco Meraki product licenses can be handled.
The co-termination licensing model simplifies license management by assigning a single expiration date for all licenses across your business network, regardless of when they were activated. This is accomplished by averaging the remaining days of active licenses and dividing it by the number of devices in your organization.
Read on to discover everything you need to know about co-termination licensing and assess whether it's the right choice for your business.
Co-termination licensing in Cisco Meraki products offers a streamlined approach to managing licenses by consolidating all expiration dates into a single, unified date. This method eliminates the need to track individual license expirations, making it particularly advantageous for businesses with multiple devices or locations. By centralizing license management, co-termination reduces administrative complexity and minimizes the risk of network downtime due to overlooked expirations.
In the context of Meraki, co-termination licensing is crucial for maintaining seamless network operations. It allows network administrators to focus on performance and growth rather than juggling multiple expiration dates. As your network evolves, the co-termination model automatically adjusts, ensuring that your licensing strategy remains aligned with your business needs.
For businesses, the benefits of co-termination licensing extend beyond simplicity. It offers cost efficiency by consolidating renewal dates, enhances flexibility by adapting to network changes, and ensures that all devices remain operational under a unified license framework. This makes Meraki's co-termination licensing an ideal solution for businesses aiming for a robust and easily managed network infrastructure.
A grace period is a designated time frame after a license expires during which services continue to operate normally, giving users extra time to renew their licenses without experiencing interruptions. When it comes to Meraki co-termination licensing, this grace period typically lasts 30 days. During this period, your network remains fully functional, allowing you to renew your licenses without the risk of immediate downtime.
This built-in grace period is crucial for providing flexibility, ensuring that your network continues to operate seamlessly even if there are delays in the renewal process. It alleviates the pressure on network administrators, offering them the necessary time to manage renewals, especially in environments with numerous devices and licenses.
The grace period is especially beneficial for businesses with large or complex networks, as it significantly reduces the chances of unintended service disruptions due to an expired license. It ensures continuity and offers peace of mind, knowing that your network won't suddenly go offline if a renewal date is missed.
When managing your Cisco Meraki network, understanding the available licensing options is key to choosing the right fit for your business. Meraki's co-termination licensing model offers four distinct options, each designed to cater to different business needs and network environments. These options provide flexibility, allowing you to tailor your licensing strategy to your organization's specific requirements, whether managing a small office or a large enterprise with multiple locations.
Meraki's co-termination licensing model includes four licensing options. Here's a look at each one.
Meraki access points (APs) require a single type of license that applies universally to all access points within the network. This means that each access point in your network must have its own license. For example, if your network includes three APs, two of which are the same model, you will still need three licenses – one for each AP.
Meraki's switches require a unique license for each specific switch type in your network. These licenses are not interchangeable between different switch types, meaning that a license purchased for one type of switch cannot be used for another. Therefore, each switch in your network must have its own corresponding license to ensure full functionality and compliance.
Meraki's MX security appliances require per-model licensing, similar to the MS switches, meaning each appliance in your network must have its own specific license. These licenses are non-transferable between models, so if your network includes different Meraki MX appliances, each will require its own distinct license.
This licensing approach ensures that each security appliance is fully optimized for its specific role in your network, enabling advanced features like threat detection and VPN capabilities. By ensuring that every MX model has the appropriate license, your network remains secure, scalable, and fully equipped to meet your business's evolving security needs.
Cisco Meraki's Systems Manager (SM) offers a unified licensing model that simplifies device management across various operating systems. Whether you are managing iOS, Android, macOS, or Windows devices, SM licensing uses a single license type that applies universally to all managed clients. This consistency allows for easier management and scalability, as you don't need to worry about different licenses for different operating systems. As long as you have the necessary SM licenses, you can enroll any device into your business network and manage it seamlessly through the Meraki dashboard.
Managing your Cisco Meraki network through the Meraki dashboard is an intuitive process that allows you to monitor and configure your network with ease. Whether updating licenses, configuring devices, or viewing network performance, the dashboard provides a centralized interface for all your needs. Below is a brief step-by-step walkthrough to help you navigate the Meraki dashboard effectively.
Begin by navigating to dashboard.meraki.com in your web browser. On the login page, enter your username and password. If you've enabled two-factor authentication, you'll be prompted to enter a verification code sent to your mobile device for added security.
Once you've successfully logged in, you'll be directed to the main dashboard interface. This home screen provides an overview of your network's status, including key metrics and alerts. The interface is designed to be user-friendly, with a clear layout that allows you to easily access different sections of your network management tools.
You'll find the main navigation menu on the left side of the dashboard. This menu is your gateway to all of the Meraki dashboard's features, including device management, network configuration, and organizational settings. Spend a moment getting familiar with the options available here, as you'll use this menu frequently to navigate through different sections of the dashboard.
After logging in, locate the main navigation menu on the left side of the dashboard. Click on the "Organization" tab to expand the menu options. This section is where you can manage settings that apply to your entire organization, such as licensing, administrators, and network-wide alerts.
If you manage multiple organizations within your Meraki account, you'll see a list of them under the "Organization" menu. Click on the specific organization you want to manage. This will display all networks associated with that organization.
Under the "Organization" tab, select "Networks" to view a list of all networks within the chosen organization. From here, you can click on the network you want to manage. This action will take you to the network's overview page, where you can access detailed information, make configuration changes, and monitor network performance.
Within the navigation menu on the left, locate the "Organization" tab. Click on it to expand the menu options, and then select "License Info." This will take you to the licensing section, where you can view and manage your Cisco Meraki licenses.
The "License Info" section provides a detailed overview of your organization's current licensing status. This page displays important information, such as the co-termination date, license types, and the number of devices covered under each license.
On the "License Info" page, you can see a summarized view of all active licenses in your organization. This summary includes the types of licenses you have, how many devices each license covers, and when each license was activated.
For more detailed information, click on any license listed in the summary. This will provide you with specific details about the license, such as its exact expiration date, which devices it applies to, and any actions you may need to take as the expiration date approaches.
The "License Info" page will notify you of any upcoming expirations or potential license issues. These alerts help you stay proactive in managing renewals to avoid service disruptions.
The "License Info" section includes a license calculator tool that allows you to simulate adding or removing devices from your network. This feature helps you understand how changes to your network might affect your co-termination date and overall licensing strategy.
If you need to renew existing licenses or add new ones, you can do so directly from the "License Info" page. The dashboard provides step-by-step guidance for purchasing and applying new licenses, ensuring your network remains fully licensed and compliant.
The "License Info" section also includes links to Cisco Meraki's support resources and documentation. These materials provide additional information on managing licenses, understanding co-termination, and troubleshooting any issues that might arise.
As you review your license information and network settings, the dashboard may highlight certain actionable items, such as upcoming license expirations, devices that need attention, or network alerts. These items are typically displayed prominently on the dashboard or within the "License Info" section.
Make a list of any critical tasks, such as renewing licenses, updating device configurations, or addressing security alerts. Prioritize these tasks based on their urgency and potential impact on your network operations.
Keep a record of any changes or updates you make during your session. This documentation is helpful for future reference and ensures that all team members are aware of the actions taken.
Once you've reviewed your licenses, addressed any actionable items, and completed your tasks, logging out of the Meraki dashboard is essential to secure your session.
Click on your user profile or the logout option, usually found at the top right corner of the dashboard. This ensures that no unauthorized users can access your account after you finish your work.
After logging out, ensure the logout was successful by checking that you're redirected to the login page. This step is crucial if you're using a shared or public computer.
Ensure that email notifications are enabled in your account settings to stay informed about your network's status. These notifications can alert you to important events such as license expirations, security issues, or network performance changes.
Make it a habit to review your Meraki dashboard notifications daily. These alerts provide real-time updates on your network and help you quickly address any issues that might arise.
Customize your notification preferences based on your needs. You can choose to receive alerts for critical issues only or include updates on general network activity. Adjusting these settings helps you stay informed without being overwhelmed by unnecessary notifications.
Co-termination licensing issues can occasionally arise from the misapplication of a license key, such as assigning it to the wrong organization, adding it to an incorrect device, or applying it during a renewal process. Fortunately, these mistakes can be corrected using the "undo license claim" tool. This tool allows administrators to reverse the license application and correct any errors made during the process.
To successfully remove or undo a co-termination license claim, you must first ensure that you have full administrative rights for both the organization where the license was misapplied and the organization where it needs to be corrected.
Here's how to use the undo license claim tool:
By following these steps, you can efficiently resolve co-termination licensing issues, ensuring that your licenses are correctly applied and your network remains properly licensed and operational.
Determining the co-termination date for your network's licenses is essential to ensure compliance and avoid potential disruptions. Accurately calculating this date helps you manage your licenses effectively, ensuring all devices remain covered under a unified expiration date. Follow these steps to calculate the co-termination date for your new network correctly:
First, determine the remaining time for each of your existing licenses. To do this, subtract the current date from the expiration date of each license, which you can find in your network dashboard. This will give you the number of days left before each license expires. This step is essential as it sets the baseline for further calculations.
Next, calculate the incremental network time (INT). To do this, start by multiplying one year (365 days) by the term length of the newly purchased license (e.g., 1 year, 3 years). This gives you the total number of days covered by the new license.
The INT is then determined by subtracting the original remaining time from this total coverage time. The INT helps you understand how the new license affects the overall duration of your network's co-termination date.
The INT is then converted into incremental dollar days (IDD) by adding together three numbers: the INT, the base price of the new license, and the number of licenses purchased for each type. This sum gives you the total financial value of the additional time your new licenses contribute to your network.
To calculate the daily license usage rate, add together the base price of each license type you've purchased and the total number of licenses for that type across your network. This sum helps you determine how much your licenses cost per day, which will help you determine the number of additional days the new purchase adds to your license term.
Converting IDD into incremental time purchased allows you to calculate the exact number of additional days that will be added to your business's licenses. To do this, divide the IDD by the daily license usage rate. This process provides you with the number of extra days your new license purchase contributes to your overall license term.
The new co-termination date is calculated by adding the incremental time purchased to the remaining time on your current licenses.
At Hummingbird Networks, we recognize that managing and setting up Cisco Meraki devices can present challenges, particularly for larger or multi-location networks. To address these complexities, we offer a full suite of support services aimed at simplifying the process for our clients.
As a certified Meraki reseller and partner, we provide the expertise and resources required to ensure that your Meraki devices are not only deployed efficiently but also configured to fully leverage their capabilities.
With a proven track record of assisting over 7,500 customers with Meraki projects – ranging from license renewals to complete network buildouts and refreshes – Hummingbird Networks has established itself as a leader in Meraki licensing and network management. Our team provides tailored assistance, whether you require help with the initial set-up, ongoing management, or network optimization. We offer both remote and on-site installation services to meet your specific needs, covering everything from wireless access points and switches to security appliances and Meraki dashboard configurations.
Beyond installation, we provide in-depth network assessments, security evaluations, and continuous support to ensure your Meraki network remains secure, efficient, and scalable as your business evolves. Our mission is to streamline your IT infrastructure, making it as seamless and manageable as possible, so you can concentrate on driving your core business operations.
A reliable and efficient network is crucial in today's fast-paced business environment. Cisco Meraki offers a robust platform for managing and securing your network, but getting the most out of it requires proper set-up and ongoing management. Hummingbird Networks is here to help you every step of the way, from initial deployment to long-term support, ensuring that your network is always performing at its best.
By partnering with Hummingbird Networks, you can simplify your IT processes, unify your network infrastructure, and enhance productivity across your organization. Let us help you unlock the full potential of your Cisco Meraki investment and take your business to the next level.