Cisco Meraki MR28 User manual

R28 Installation Guide
The Cisco eraki R28 is a dual-band enterprise Wi-Fi 6 cloud-managed access point.
Package Contents
The R28 package contains the following:
• R28 Cloud- anaged Access Point
• ount plate
• ount Kit
◦ Wall screws, wall screw anchors, and security screws
1

Understanding the R28
Your eraki R28 has the following features:
2

The mount plate has the following features:
Security Features
The R28 features multiple options for physically securing the access point after installation:
1. Security screw – The accessory kit includes screws that can be used to secure the access point to the mount
cradle. Engaging the security screw prevents accidental dislodging and theft.
Ethernet Ports
The R28 features a Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port that accepts 802.3at and 802.3af power (labeled “Eth0, PoE”). This
port should be used for uplink to your WAN connection.
Power Source Options
The R28 access point can be powered using either the eraki AC Adapter, PoE Injector (both sold separately), or a
third-party PoE switch. The R28 operates at full power with 802.3af PoE.
Factory Reset Button
If the button is pressed and held for at least five seconds and then released, the R28 will reboot and be restored to its
original factory settings by deleting all configuration information stored on the unit.
3

LED Indicators and Run Dark ode
Your R28 is equipped with a multi-color LED light on the front of the unit to convey information about system
functionality and performance:
• Orange - AP is booting (permanent Orange suggests hardware issue)
• Rainbow - AP is initializing/scanning
• Blinking Blue - AP is upgrading
• Green - AP in Gateway mode with no clients
• Blue - AP in Gateway mode with clients
• Blinking Orange - AP can't find uplink
The R28 may be operated in “Run Dark” mode for additional security and to reduce the visibility of the access point. In
this mode, the LED will not be illuminated. This mode may be enabled through eraki dashboard.
NOTE: Blinking Green LED indicates that the device is in site survey mode. Please see the Conducting Site Surveys
with R Access Points for more details.
Pre-Install Preparation
You should complete the following steps before going on-site to perform an installation.
Configure Your Network in Dashboard
The following is a brief overview only of the steps required to add an R28 to your network. For detailed instructions
about creating, configuring and managing eraki wireless networks, refer to the online documentation
(documentation.meraki.com).
1. Login to http://dashboard.meraki.com. If this is your first time, create a new account.
2. Find the network to which you plan to add your APs or create a new network.
3. Add your APs to your network. You will need your eraki order number (found on your invoice) or the serial
number of each AP, which looks like Qxxx-xxxx-xxxx, and is found on the bottom of the unit. You will also need
4

your Enterprise license key, which you should have received via email.
4. Go to the map / floor plan view and place each AP on the map by clicking and dragging it to the location where you
plan to mount it.
Check and Upgrade Firmware
To ensure your R28 performs optimally immediately following installation, it is recommended that you facilitate a
firmware upgrade prior to mounting your R28.
1. Attach your R28 to power and a wired Internet connection. See the "Power the R28" section for details.
2. The R28 will turn on and the LED will glow solid orange. If the unit does not require a firmware upgrade, the LED
will turn either green (no clients associated) or blue (clients associated) within thirty seconds.
* If the unit requires an upgrade, the LED will begin blinking orange until the upgrade is complete, at which point the LED
will turn solid green or blue. You should allow at least a few minutes for the firmware upgrade to complete, depending on
the speed of your internet connection.
Check and Configure Firewall Settings
If a firewall is in place, it must allow outgoing connections on particular ports to particular IP addresses. The most
current list of outbound ports and IP addresses for your particular organization can be found here.
Assigning IP Addresses to R28s
All gateway R28s ( R28s with Ethernet connections to the LAN) must be assigned routable IP addresses. These IP
addresses can be dynamically assigned via DHCP or statically assigned.
Dynamic Assignment
When using DHCP, the DHCP server should be configured to assign a static IP address for each AC address
belonging to a eraki AP. Other features of the wireless network, such as 802.1X authentication, may rely on the
property that the APs have static IP addresses.
Static Assignment
Static IPs are assigned using the local web server on each AP. The following procedure describes how to set the
static IP:
1. Using a client machine (e.g., a laptop), connect to the AP wirelessly (by associating to any SSID
broadcast by the AP) or over a wired connection.
2. If using a wired connection, connect the client machine to the R28 either through a PoE switch or a
PoE Injector. If using a PoE switch, plug an Ethernet cable into the R28’s Ethernet jack, and the other
end into a PoE switch. Then connect the client machine over Ethernet cable to the PoE switch. If using a
PoE Injector, connect the R28 to the “PoE” port of the Injector, and the client machine to the “LAN”
port.
3. Using a web browser on the client machine, access the AP’s built-in web server by browsing
5

to http://my.meraki.com. Alternatively, browse to http://10.128.128.128.
4. Click on the “Uplink Configuration” tab. Log in. The default login is the serial number (e.g. Qxxx-xxxx-
xxxx), with no password (e.g., Q2DD-551C-ZYW3).
5. Configure the static IP address, net mask, gateway IP address and DNS servers that this AP will use on
its wired connection.
6. If necessary, reconnect the AP to the LAN.
Static IP via DHCP Reservations
Instead of associating to each eraki AP individually to configure static IP addresses, an administrator can
assign static IP addresses on the upstream DHCP server. Through “DHCP reservations,” IP addresses are
“reserved” for the AC addresses of the eraki APs. Please consult the documentation for the DHCP server to
configure DHCP reservations.
Collect Tools
You will need the following tools to perform an installation:
Collect Additional Hardware for Installation
You will need the following hardware to perform an installation:
6

Installation Instructions
Warning: Due to the heat dissipation in the back of APs during normal operation, please do not stack powered on APs
on top of each other during pre-installation to avoid heat damage.
Choose Your ounting Location
A good mounting location is important to getting the best performance out of your R28 access point. Keep the
following in mind:
1. The device should have unobstructed line of sight to most coverage areas. For example, if installing in an office
filled with workspaces divided by mid-height cubicle walls, installing on the ceiling or high on a wall would be ideal.
2. Power over Ethernet supports a maximum cable length of 300 ft (100 m).
3. If being used in a mesh deployment, the R28 should have line of sight to at least two other eraki devices. A
Cisco Partner can help ensure that your AP placement is ideal.
Power the R28
If mounting to an electrical junction box, feed the Ethernet cable through the cable access hole in the mount cradle. If
mounting to a wall or ceiling, the Ethernet cable will feed from behind the R28. The "Power Source Options" section of
this document lists the different powering options and their unique characteristics.
ount the R28
7

Attach the R28 to the ount Cradle
(This section applies to wall and/or solid ceiling, drop ceiling or electrical junction box mount
where you have already installed the mount cradle.)
The R28 attaches to the mount cradle with two tabs on the cradle that insert into the R28, and is secured to the
cradle using one screw.
To attach the R28 to the mount cradle properly, line up the top edge of the AP with the top tab of the mount cradle.
Since the cradle is already mounted to the wall, guide the R28 towards the top tab and insert the top tab into the
R28’s slot.
Then adjust the R28 to guide the R28’s bottom slot into the cradle’s bottom tab until it clicks into place. Once in
place, the R28 should be secured to the cradle by using one of the included screws in the cradle’s bottom tab.
8

9

10

To release the R28 from the mount cradle, first remove the security screw that secures the R28 to the cradle’s
bottom tab. While holding the R28 with one hand, press the cradle’s bottom tab upwards, releasing the R28 from the
bottom of the cradle. Then remove the R28 from the cradle’s top tab.
Desk or Shelf Mount
The R28 can be placed on a desk or shelf resting on the non-scratch rubber feet. The mount cradle is not necessary
for a desk or shelf installation.
Secure the R28
Depending on your mounting environment, you may want to secure the R28 to its mount location. If the R28 has
been installed using the mount cradle, it should be secured via security screw (Torx security screws are included).
Power the R28
If mounting to an electrical junction box, feed the Ethernet cable through the cable access hole in the mount cradle. If
mounting to a wall or ceiling, the Ethernet cable will feed from behind the R28. The "Power Source Options" section of
this document lists the different powering options and their unique characteristics.
11

Verify Device Functionality and Test Network Coverage
1. Check LEDs
a. The Power LED should be solid green (or blue, if clients are connected). If it is flashing blue, the firmware is
automatically upgrading and the LED should turn green when the upgrade is completed (normally within a
few minutes). See the "LED Indicators" section for more details. .
b. Note: Your R28 must have an active route to the Internet to check and upgrade its firmware.
2. Verify access point connectivity
a. Use any 802.11 client device to connect to the R28 and verify proper connectivity using the client’s web
browser.
3. Check network coverage
4. Confirm that you have good signal strength throughout your coverage area. You can use the signal strength meter
on a laptop, smart phone, or other wireless device.
Troubleshooting
Reference the R Product Page for additional information and troubleshooting tips.
12