Administering Meraki MS/Catalyst Switches
- Course Code CT-MER-SWITCH
- Duration 4 days
- Version 2.0
Course Delivery
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Course Delivery
This course is available in the following formats:
-
Company Event
Event at company
-
Virtual Learning
Learning that is virtual
Request this course in a different delivery format.
Course Overview
TopIn this Administering Meraki MS / Catalyst Switches 4-day Cisco Official course provides a comprehensive, end-to-end overview of Cisco Meraki switching and Catalyst integration, guiding learners from foundational Meraki concepts through advanced configuration, monitoring, security, and automation. Participants begin by understanding the value of Cisco Meraki, its product portfolio, and support model, followed by a detailed examination of Meraki and Catalyst licensing options, including co-termination, per-device, subscription licensing, and migration from Cisco DNA licensing into the Meraki Dashboard. The curriculum then explores the full Meraki switching portfolio, including Layer 2 and Layer 3 access switches, aggregation switches, and supported Catalyst platforms, along with power, accessories, and deployment considerations.
As the course progresses, learners gain hands-on experience configuring and operating switches through the Meraki Dashboard, covering organizational and network-wide settings, administrator roles, inventory management, templates, group policies, switch provisioning, firmware management, staged upgrades, port configuration, link aggregation, and traffic mirroring. Routing and multicast topics are addressed in depth, including static routing, VRRP warm spare configurations, Layer 3 switching, and OSPF, ensuring students can design resilient and scalable wired networks. Dedicated modules focus on monitoring and managing Catalyst switches in both cloud-monitoring and fully managed modes, providing visibility into topology, traffic, applications, and switch health from a unified dashboard.
The course further emphasizes security, identity, and operational excellence through coverage of switch security features, port access control, segmentation using group policy ACLs, and deep integration with Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), RADIUS, and Meraki Adaptive Policy. Advanced topics include IPv6 design and deployment, comprehensive monitoring of switches and clients, structured troubleshooting workflows using logs, packet captures, alerts, and analysis tools, and automation through Meraki APIs and action batches. Through practical labs and real-world scenarios, students develop the skills required to design, secure, operate, troubleshoot, and automate Cisco Meraki and Catalyst switching environments at enterprise scale.
Updated August 2026
Virtual Learning
This interactive training can be taken from any location, your office or home and is delivered by a trainer. This training does not have any delegates in the class with the instructor, since all delegates are virtually connected. Virtual delegates do not travel to this course, Global Knowledge will send you all the information needed before the start of the course and you can test the logins.
Course Schedule
TopTarget Audience
TopThis course is specifically tailored for professionals working in or with networks who are keen on enhancing their proficiency in managing and troubleshooting networks utilizing Cisco Meraki MS and Cisco Catalyst switches.
The course is highly recommended for:
Network Engineers:
Professionals tasked with the design, implementation, and maintenance of network infrastructure. This includes managing both voice and data communication systems, ensuring they meet the high standards required for operations.
System Administrators:
Individuals responsible for the daily management and configuration of network systems. Their role is crucial in ensuring the reliable operation of Meraki services across various departments.
IT Professionals:
This group includes a wide range of IT personnel working within agencies who require a robust understanding of secure and reliable Meraki network systems. Their work is critical in ensuring these networks comply with stringent standards and regulations.
Technical Support Staff:
These are the frontline personnel who provide essential technical support for Meraki network systems within environments. Their expertise ensures that any issues are promptly resolved to maintain network integrity and security.
Cisco Certified Professionals:
Individuals who have already achieved Cisco certifications and are looking to further their knowledge and expertise, specifically in Meraki Networks and Technologies. This course allows them to specialize in Meraki solutions, enhancing their skill set in the context of network requirements.
Course Objectives
TopAfter this course participants should be able to:
- Understanding of Meraki Switch Fundamental Concepts
- Dashboard Navigation and Configuration
- Effective Meraki Switch Troubleshooting
- Provisioning Meraki Switches
- Configuration of Organizational and Network Settings
- Utilization of Meraki Configuration Templates and Group Policies
- Meraki Network and Device Management
- Switches Stacks and Port Configuration
- Meraki IPv6 Configuration
- Meraki Port Management with ISE and Radius
- Meraki Switch Monitoring and Connectivity Troubleshooting
- Device and Connectivity Troubleshooting on Meraki Networks
- Meraki APIs for MS and Catalyst Switches
Course Content
TopModule 1: Introduction to Meraki
- Why Cisco Meraki?
- Meraki Product Overview
- Meraki Support
Module 2: Meraki MS / Catalyst Licensing
- Meraki Licensing Overview
- Co-Termination Licensing Overview
- Co-Termination Licensing in the Dashboard
- Per Device Licensing (PDL) Overview
- PDL in the Dashboard
- Subscription Licensing Overview
- Subscription Licensing in the Dashboard
- Catalyst Licensing for the Meraki
- Migrating DNA Licensing to Meraki Dashboard
Module 3: Meraki Switches
- Meraki Layer 2 Access Switches
- Meraki Layer 3 Access Switches
- Meraki Aggregation Switches
- Catalyst Switches
- Power and Accessories
Module 4: Configuring the Meraki Dashboard
- Meraki Dashboard, Organizations, and Networks
- Organizational - Wide Configure Settings
- Configuring Administrators
- Creating Networks and Managing Inventory
- Organization > Overview Page
- Configuring Network - Wide Settings
- Network - Wide Administrators & Users
- Network - Wide > Add Devices
- Configuring Location / Mapping Devices
- Configuration Templates
- Configuring Group Policies
Module 5: Configuring Meraki MS Switches
- Basic Switch Configuration
- Provisioning Switch Stacks
- Meraki MS Switch Settings
- DHCP Server Status
- Meraki MS - Port Schedules
- Local Status Page
- Manage MS Firmware
- Manage MS Staged Upgrades
- Configuring Switch Ports
- Link Aggregation
- Mirroring Switch Ports
Module 6: Meraki MS Routing and Multicast
- Meraki Layer 2 vs Layer 3
- Static Routes
- Meraki Switch Warm Spare - Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP)
- Meraki Switch Routing
- Meraki MS - Open Shortest Path First (OSPF)
Module 7: Monitoring Catalyst Switches in the Meraki Dashboard
- Monitoring Catalyst Switches
- Supported Catalyst Switches
- Cloud Monitoring for Catalyst Onboarding
- Cloud Monitoring for Catalyst Licensing
- Cloud - Based Monitoring
- View Network Topology
- Track Clients and Traffic
- Monitor Switch Status
- Troubleshoot Connections
- Inspect Port Details
- Application Statistics
Module 8: Managing Catalyst Switches in the Meraki Dashboard
- Managing Catalyst Switches
- Supported Catalyst Switches
- Migrating to Meraki - Managed Mode
- Register the Switch with the Meraki Dashboard
- Managed Catalyst Switch Meraki Feature Support
- Managing Catalyst Switches in the Dashboard
Module 9: Meraki Switch Security
- Access Control Lists
- Securing Switch Ports
- SecurePort Switch Ports for MR Access Points
- Port Isolation
- Enforce Segmentation with Group Policy ACL
Module 10: Meraki Authentication ISE and Radius
- Managing Users
- Access Control
- Meraki Integration with Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)
- Meraki 802.1x Radius Integration
Module 11: Meraki Adaptive Policy
- Meraki Switches Supported Models
- Adaptive Policy Architecture
- Identity Classification and Propagation
- Security Policy Definition
- Policy Deployment and Orchestration
- Configuration
- Adaptive Policy SGT Propagation Configuration
- Static Assignment of Adaptive Policy Group by Switchport
- RADIUS - Based Assignment of an Adaptive Policy Group
- Configure Access Policy on Switchports
- Testing and Validation
Module 12: Meraki IPv6 Configuration
- Meraki IPv6 Overview
- Meraki IPv6 Features on Meraki
- Meraki IPv6 Dual Stack
- IPv6 DHCP and Addressing
- IPv6 Security and ACLs
- IPv6 Management Protocols
Module 13: Monitoring Switches and Clients
- Monitoring Switch Ports
- Meraki Health
- Switch Traffic Analytics
- Switch Topology
- Monitoring Wired Clients
Module 14: Troubleshooting Switches and Clients
- Troubleshooting Clients Connections
- Troubleshooting Switch Connectivity
- Switch Event Logs
- Capturing Packets in a Switch
- Configuring Switch Alerts
- Switch Tools
- VLAN Mismatch Troubleshooting
- Use Wireshark to Decode Port Captures
Module 15: Meraki Switch APIs
- Meraki API and Integration Overview
- Meraki API Technologies and Tools
- Meraki Dashboard API
- Using Postman with Meraki
- Meraki Dashboard API Python Library
- Use Case - Pulling Statistics from Meraki Devices
- Meraki Tools
- Meraki Action Batches
Course Prerequisites
TopParticipants should have:
- Knowledge of Cisco Meraki Products
Test Certification
Top- N/A
Follow on Courses
Top- None recommended
