Cisco MERAKI MR72 Manual

Meraki MR72
Hardware Installation Guide

Trademarks
Cisco, Cisco Meraki, Meraki, Meraki MR72, and Meraki Cloud
Controller are trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. Other brand and
product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their
respective holders.
Warranty
Cisco Systems, Inc. provides a one year warranty on this product.
Warranty details may be found at www.meraki.cisco.com/support.
Table of Contents
.1 Scope of Document and Related Publications
.2 MR72 Overview
.3 Pre-Install Preparation
.4 Installation Instructions
.5 Troubleshooting
.6 Regulatory

1 Scope of Document and Related Publications
The MR72 Hardware Installation Guide describes the installation
procedure for the MR72 access point.
Additional reference documents are available online at
meraki.cisco.com/support
2 MR72 Overview
The Meraki MR72 is an enterprise-class, 802.11abgn/ac outdoor
access point designed for rugged environments. When connected to
the Meraki Cloud Controller, the MR72 enables the creation of high-
speed and reliable networks that cover large outdoor and industrial
areas quickly, easily, and cost-effectively.
The Meraki MR72 has an operating temperature of -40oto 60oC.
2.1 Package Contents
The MR72 package contains the following:
- MR72 access point
- Wall screws & anchors
- Mounting plate
- Cable gland
- Mounting straps

2.2 Antennas and Ports
The Meraki MR72 has two radios. Each radio has two external antenna
connectors; both connectors for a particular radio should be attached
to the same type of antenna. The 5 GHz radio is used for mesh or client
communication. The 2.4 GHz radio is primarily used for client
communication. However, it can also communicate with Meraki 2.4
GHz access points.
Meraki offers a number of different antennas for use with the MR72:
MA-ANT-20, MA-ANT-21, MA-ANT-23, and MA-ANT-25.
The Meraki MA-ANT-20 omni-directional antennas must be installed
vertically.
The Meraki MA-ANT-25 patch antenna must be installed facing
downward, at least 30 degrees from the horizon line.
2.3 Power Source Options
The MR72 access point can be powered using either an 802.3at
capable PoE switch or the Meraki 802.3at PoE injector (sold
separately).
2.4 LED Indicators and Run Dark Mode
Your MR72 uses a single LED to inform the user of the device’s status.
Function
LED Status
Meaning

Power Up/
Boot
Solid
Orange
Power is applied
Connecting
Rainbow
Device in process of connecting to
the Meraki Dashboard
Connected
Solid White
Fully operational
Upgrading
Flashing
White
During boot or no WAN link
The MR72 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 Meraki
Dashboard.
3 Pre-Install Preparation
You should complete the following steps before going on-site to
perform an installation.
3.1 Configure Your Network in Dashboard
Meraki recommends that you add your MR72 to a network in
Dashboard before mounting it in the field. The following is a brief
overview only of the steps required to add an MR72 to your network.
For detailed instructions about creating, configuring and managing
Meraki wireless networks, refer to the Meraki Cloud Controller Manual
(cisco.meraki.com/support/#documentation).
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 nodes or create a
new network.
3. Add your nodes to your network. You will need your Meraki order
number (found on your invoice if you ordered directly from
Meraki) or the serial number of each node, which looks like
Qxxx-xxxx-xxxx, and is found on the bottom of the unit.
4. Finally, go to the map / floor plan view and place each node on
the map by clicking and dragging it to the location where you
plan to mount it. You can always modify the location later.
3.2 Check and Upgrade Firmware
To ensure your MR72 performs optimally immediately following
installation, Meraki recommends that you facilitate a firmware upgrade
prior to mounting your MR72.
1. Attach your MR72 to power and a wired Internet connection.
2. The MR72 will turn on and the LED will glow solid orange. If the
unit does not require a firmware upgrade, the LED will turn solid
white within 30 seconds.
* If the unit requires an upgrade, the LED will cycle rainbow until the
upgrade is complete, at which point the Power LED will turn solid
white. You should allow about an hour for the firmware upgrade to
complete, depending on the speed of your internet connection.
3.3 Check and Configure Firewall Settings
If your network will be located behind a firewall, it must allow outgoing
connections on particular ports to particular IP addresses in order for

the MR72 to be able to seamlessly communicate with the Cloud
Controller. The most current list of outbound ports and IP addresses
can be found here:
http://bit.ly/oZpMQ7
3.4 Assigning IP Addresses to MR72s
All gateway MR72s (MR72s with Ethernet connections to the LAN)
must be assigned routable IP addresses. These IP addresses can be
dynamically assigned via DHCP or statically assigned.
3.4.1 Dynamic Assignment
When using DHCP, the DHCP server should be configured to assign a
static IP address for each MAC address belonging to a Meraki AP.
Other features of the wireless network, such as 802.1X authentication,
may rely on theproperty that the APs have static IP addresses.
3.4.2 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 either
wirelessly (by associating to any SSID broadcast by the AP) or
over a wired connection. If using a wired connection, connect
the client machine to the MR72 either through a PoE switch or a
Meraki PoE Injector. If using a PoE switch, plug an Ethernet cable
into the MR72’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 Meraki PoE Injector, connect the MR72
to the “PoE” port of the Injector, and the client machine to the
“LAN” port.
2. Using a web browser on the client machine, access the AP’s

built-in web server by browsing to http://ap.meraki.com.
Alternatively, browse to http://10.128.128.128.
3. Click on the “Static IP Configuration” tab. Log in. The default
user name is “admin”. The default password is the AP’s serial
number, with hyphens included (e.g., Q2BD-551C-ZYW3).
4. Configure the static IP address, net mask, gateway IP address
and DNS servers that this AP will use on its wired connection.
5. If necessary, reconnect the AP to the LAN.
3.5 Collect Tools
You will need the following tools to perform an installation:
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Drill with appropriate bits for mounting wall anchors (if mounting to a
wall)
- Phillips screwdriver
- Tin snips (if mounting with hose clamps)
- Power screwdriver with 5/16” (8 mm) nut driver, Phillips & flat heads
(recommended)
3.6 Collect Additional Hardware for Installation
- Network cables with RJ45 connectors long enough for your particular
mounting location
- 802.3at PoE power source (either PoE switch or Meraki 802.3at PoE
Injector)

- Connection to the internet (if you are setting up your MR72 as a
gateway to the internet)
- Appropriately sized metal straps (if mounting to a pole larger than
3.9” in diameter)
- Specialized mounting hardware if mounting to surface other than
wood, stucco or stone
- Laptop with wireless to verify setup (recommended)
4 Installation Instructions
4.1 Choose Your Mounting Location
A good mounting location is important to getting the best performance
out of your MR72 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 MR72 should have line
of sight to at least two other Meraki devices. For more detailed
instructions regarding access point location selection, reference
the Meraki Network Design Guide
(cisco.meraki.com/support/#documentation).
4. The antennas should be as unobstructed as possible. Make sure
that there is clearance around the MR72 for installation of all of
your chosen antennas.

4.2 Install the MR72
For most mounting scenarios, the MR72 mount plate provides a quick,
simple, and flexible means of mounting your device. The installation
should be done in two steps. First, install the mount plate to your
selected location. Then attach the MR72 to the mount plate.
4.2.1 Remove the Mount Plate from the Access Point
Before installing the mount plate, you must remove it from the back of
the access point.
1. Unscrew the mount plate attachment screw.
2. Lift the mount plate release tab upwards.
3. While holding the mount plate release tab up, slide the mount plate
off the access point.
4.2.2 Attach the Mount Plate
The MR72 mount plate can be used to install your access point in a
wide range of scenarios.
4.2.2.1 Wall or Solid Ceiling Mount Using Mount Plate
Using included wall anchors and screws, attach the mount plate to
your mounting wall or ceiling.
It is recommended that the MR72 be mounted to a wall or solid ceiling
using the mount plate for physical security reasons.
4.2.2.2 Pole Mount Using Mount Plate
Use the included mounting straps to mount the AP to a pole less than
3.9” in diameter. Thread the mounting straps through the mounting
strap slots to secure the mount plate in a horizontal or vertical