Cisco MR74 Manual

Meraki MR74
Hardware Installation Guide
Trademarks
Cisco, Cisco Meraki, Meraki, Meraki MR74, 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 MR74 Overview
. 3 Pre-Install Preparation
. 4 Installation Instructions
. 5 Troubleshooting
. 6 Regulatory
1 Scope of Document and Related Publications
The MR74 Hardware Installation Guide describes the installation
procedure for the MR74 access point.
Additional reference documents are available online at

meraki.cisco.com/support
2 MR74 Overview
The Meraki MR74 is an enterprise-class, 802.11abgn/ac AP outdoor
designed for rugged environments. When connected to the Meraki Cloud
Controller, the MR74 enables the creation of high-speed and reliable
networks that cover large outdoor and industrial areas quickly, easily, and
cost-effectively.
The Meraki MR74 has an operating temperature of -40o to 60o C.
2.1 Package Contents
The MR74 package contains the following:
- MR74 access point
-Wall screws & anchors
-Mounting plate
-Cable gland
-Mounting straps
2.2 Antennas and Ports
The Meraki MR74 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 MR74: MA-
ANT-20, MA-ANT-21, MA-ANT-23, MA-ANT-25, MA-ANT-27, and Cisco
AIR-ANT2513P4M-N.
The Meraki MA-ANT-20 omni-directional antennas must be installed
vertically.
The Meraki MA-ANT-21, MA-ANT-23, MA-ANT-25, MA-ANT-27, and
Cisco AIR-ANT2513P4M-N antennas must be installed facing downward,
at least 30 degrees from the horizon line.
2.3 Power Source Options
The MR74 access point can be powered using either an 802.3af capable
PoE switch or the Meraki 802.3af PoE injector (sold separately).
2.4 LED Indicators and Run Dark Mode
Your MR74 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 MR74 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 MR74 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 MR74 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 MR74 performs optimally immediately following
installation, Meraki recommends that you facilitate a firmware upgrade
prior to mounting your MR74.
1. Attach your MR74 to power and a wired Internet connection.
2.The MR74 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
MR74 to be able to seamlessly communicate with the Cloud Controller. The
most current list of outbound ports and IP addresses can be found here:
https://documentation.meraki.com/zGeneral_Administration/Other_Top
ics/Firewall_Rules_for_Cloud_Connectivity
3.4 Assigning IP Addresses to MR74s
All gateway MR74s (MR74s 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 the property 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 MR74 either through a PoE switch or a Meraki PoE Injector. If
using a PoE switch, plug an Ethernet cable into the MR74’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 MR74 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 the AP’s serial number, with hyphens included (e.g., Q2BD-551C-
ZYW3), and the default password is blank.
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
-802.3af PoE power source (either PoE switch or Meraki 802.3af PoE
Injector)

-Connection to the internet (if you are setting up your MR74 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 InstallationInstructions
4.1 Choose Your Mounting Location
A good mounting location is important to getting the best performance out
of your MR74 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 MR74 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 MR74 for installation of all of your
chosen antennas.
Safety note on mounting locations:
It is recommended that the MR74 be mounted to at a minimum, a 13 mm
thick plywood/concrete wall or ceiling using the mount plate with 6.35
mm in diameter of screws for physical security reasons.

4.2 Install the MR74
For most mounting scenarios, the MR74 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 MR74 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 MR74 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 MR74 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 orientation.
4.2.3 Mount the MR74
Insert the posts on the mount plate into the attachment slots on the access
point.
4.2.3.1 Attach Antennas

Remove protective plastic covers from all four N-type RF connectors.
Attach appropriate antennas (and protective boots if included).
4.2.3.2 Aim Antennas
If you are using directional antennas, aim them appropriately to ensure
optimal performance for yourspecific network topography.
Omnidirectional antennas perform best in a mesh network when oriented
vertically.
4.2.3.3 Powering the MR74 with the Meraki 802.3at Power over Ethernet
Injector (sold separately)
1. Plug the power cord into the PoE Injector and the other end into
wall power.
2. Plug an Ethernet cable that is connected to an active Ethernet
connection into the “IN” port on the injector.
3. Route Ethernet cable from the “OUT” port on the injector to the
Ethernet port in the bay of the MR74.
For more details, see Meraki 802.3at Power Over Ethernet Injector
datasheet.
4.2.3.4 Powering the MR74 with an 802.3at Power over Ethernet Switch
Route Ethernet cable from a port on an active 802.3at PoE switch to the
Ethernet port in the bay of the MR74.
The MR74 is Gigabit Ethernet-capable. To maximize device performance, a
Gigabit Ethernet-capable switch should be used.
4.2.3.5 Attach Power over Ethernet to the MR74
1. Remove the dust cover from the Ethernet port of the MR74.
Unscrew it with a coin or flathead screwdriver.
2. Route the Ethernet cable from the PoE Injector “OUT” port to the
MR74.
3. Install a cable gland on the MR74 end of the cable.
4. Plug the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port of the Meraki MR74.
a. Connect the cable to the Ethernet port on the MR74.