Cisco Meraki MG21/21E Cellular Gateway Review

Overview of Meraki MG21 and MG21E Cellular Gateways

The Meraki MG21 and MG21E cellular gateways provide an easy and convenient way to leverage cellular Internet connections in a variety of situations. They simplify implementation of wireless WANs running from cellular uplinks, directly converting the LTE cellular signal to an Ethernet handoff for downstream devices.

Key Features of MG21-Series Cellular Gateways

MG21-series cellular gateways feature a 300 Mbps CAT 6 LTE integrated modem, along with two separate Ethernet ports for downstream connections. They can be powered via either DC power or Power-Over-Ethernet, increasing their deployment options. In addition, their small form factor combined with IP67 water and dust resistance means they can be placed almost anywhere, indoors or out.

Versatile Usage Scenarios

These small, rugged devices can be useful in a wide variety of usage cases. For example:

• Implementing network access at a location that lacks wired Internet uplinks
• Setting up the MG21 as a failover device for critical connections, in case the primary Ethernet connection fails
• Expanding a High Availability network to include additional connection types
• Utilizing Meraki MX series firewalls in locations where cellular signals are stronger than WiFi or other options
• Quickly adding Internet access to POS kiosks, trade shows, and other locations with crowded central Internet sources

Unique Attributes and Specifications

The MG21 and MG21E are identical in terms of specifications. The only difference is that the MG21E features external antennas for better control over the reception.

Integration and Management Through Meraki Dashboard

Whichever you choose, the MG21 or MG21E integrate directly into your Meraki Dashboard, alongside all your other Meraki devices. They feature the same zero-touch configuration, and all traffic flowing through them can be monitored and reported on, as with all other aspects of your Meraki network.

In short, not every Meraki network needs an MG21 or MG21E cellular gateway - but if your design calls for cellular failover, or edge-case Internet access scenarios, they are a quick, reliable, and powerful way to provide WAN access over LTE.

Getting Started with Meraki Cellular Gateways

To learn more about the full range of Meraki networking devices, just contact Hummingbird Networks!