Cisco Meraki MR42
802.11ac Wave 2 with Dedicated Security & Bluetooth Beacons

Overview:

High performance 802.11ac Wave 2 wireless

The Cisco Meraki MR42 is a four radio, cloud-managed 3x3 MU-MIMO 802.11ac Wave 2 access point. Designed for next-generation deployments in offices, schools, hospitals, shops, and hotels, the MR42 offers performance, security, and simple management.

The MR42 provides a maximum 1.9 Gbps aggregate dual–band frame rate with concurrent 802.11ac Wave 2 and 802.11n 3x3:3 MIMO radios. A dedicated third radio provides real-time WIDS/ WIPS with automated RF optimization. In addition, an integrated fourth radio delivers Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) scanning and Beaconing functionality. With a combination of cloud management, high perfomance hardware, multiple radios, and advanced software features, the MR42 makes an outstanding platform for the most demanding of uses today and tomorrow. These uses include high-density deployments and support for applications like voice and high-definition video.

MR42 and Meraki cloud management: A powerful combo

The MR42 is managed through the Meraki cloud, with an intuitive browser-based interface that enables rapid deployment without training or certifications. Since the MR42 is self-configuring and managed over the web, it can be deployed at a remote location in a matter of minutes, even without on-site IT staff.

24/7 monitoring via the Meraki cloud delivers real-time alerts if the network encounters problems. Remote diagnostic tools enable immediate troubleshooting over the web, meaning multi-site, distributed networks can be easily managed.

The MR42’s firmware is automatically kept up to date via the cloud. New features, bug fixes, and enhancements are delivered seamlessly over the web. This means no manual software updates to download or missing security patches to worry about.

Product Highlights

• 3x3:3 MU-MIMO 802.11ac Wave 2
• 1.9 Gbps dual–radio aggregate frame rate
• 24x7 real-time WIDS/WIPS and spectrum analytics via dedicated third radio
• Integrated Bluetooth Low Energy Beacon and scanning radio
• Enhanced transmit power and receive sensitivity
• Full-time WiFi location tracking via dedicated 3rd radio
• Integrated enterprise security and guest access
• Application-aware traffic shaping
• Optimized for voice and video
• Self-configuring, plug-and-play deployment
• Sleek, low-profile design blends into office environments

Features:

Aggregate data rate of up to 1.9 Gbps

A 5 GHz 3x3:3 802.11ac Wave 2 radio and a 2.4 GHz 3x3:3 802.11ac radio offer a combined 1.9 Gbps dual–radio aggregate frame rate. Supports up to 1,300 Mbps in the 5 GHz band and 600 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band. Technologies like transmit beamforming and enhanced receive sensitivity allow the MR42 to support a higher client density than typical enterprise-class access points, resulting in fewer APs for a given deployment.

Multi User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO)

With support for the 802.11ac Wave 2 standard, the MR42 offers MU-MIMO for efficient transmission to multiple clients. Especially suited for enviroments with numerous mobile devices, MU-MIMO enables multiple clients to receive data simultanously. This increases the total network perfomance and improves the end user experience.

Third radio delivers 24x7 wireless security and RF analytics

The MR42’s sophisticated, dedicated dual-band radio scans the environment continuously, characterizing RF interference and containing wireless threats like rogue access points. No longer choose between wireless security, advanced RF analysis, and serving client data: a dedicated third radio means that all three occur in real-time, without any impact to client traffic or AP throughput.

Bluetooth Low Energy Beacon and scanning radio

An integrated fourth radio for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) provides seamless deployment of BLE Beacon functionality and effortless visibility of BLE devices. The MR42 enables the next generation of locationaware applications while futureproofing your deployment, making it ready for any new customer engagement strategies.

Automatic cloud-based RF optimization

The MR42’s sophisticated, automated RF optimization means that there is no need for the dedicated hardware and RF expertise typically required to tune a wireless network. The RF analysis data collected by the dedicated third radio is continuously fed back to the Meraki cloud. This then automatically tunes the MR42’s channel selection, transmit power, and client connection settings for optimal performance under even the most challenging RF conditions.

Integrated enterprise security and guest access

The MR42 features integrated, easy-to-use security technologies to provide secure connectivity for employees and guests alike. Advanced security features such as AES hardware-based encryption and WPA2- Enterprise authentication with 802.1X and Active Directory integration provide wire-like security while still being easy to configure. One-click guest isolation provides secure, Internet-only access for visitors. Our policy firewall (Identity Policy Manager) enables granular access control at the group or device level. PCI compliance reports check network settings against PCI requirements to simplify secure retail deployments.

Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) & Mobile Device Management (MDM) integration

Meraki Systems Manager natively integrates with the MR42 to offer simple automatic security that is context aware. Rapidly deploy self-service MDM enrolment without installing additional equipment or dynamically tie firewall policies to client posture. End-to-end security has never been so easy.

Application-aware traffic shaping

The MR42 includes an integrated layer 7 packet inspection, classification, and control engine, enabling you to set QoS policies based on traffic type. Prioritize your mission critical applications, while setting limits on recreational traffic, e.g., peer-to-peer and video streaming. Importantly, controls can be implemented per network, per SSID, per user group, or per individual user.

Voice and video optmizations

Industry standard QoS features are easy to configure and come built in. Wireless Multi Media (WMM) access categories, 802.1p, and DSCP industry standards all ensure important applications get priorotized correctly, not only on the MR42, but on other steps in the traffic flow. Unscheduled Automatic Power Save Delivery (U-APSD) ensures minimal battery drain on wireless VoIP phones.

Low-profile, modern, user friendly design

Despite its extensive capabilities, the MR42 is packaged in a sleek, low-profile enclosure that blends seamlessly into any environment. This makes it ideal for modern offices, high end retail locations, and discrete deployments. Using human interface design principles, even the physical installation and mounting experience has been developed to eliminate error and simplify installation process.

Self-configuring, self-maintaining, always up-to-date

When plugged in, the MR42 automatically connects to the Meraki cloud, downloads its configuration, and joins the appropriate network. If new firmware is required, this is retrieved by the AP and updated automatically. This ensures the network is maintained with bug fixes, security updates, and new features managed for you.

Advanced analytics

Drill down into exceptional detail with highly granular traffic analytics. Understand how your network is used with access to numerous datasets. Extend your visibility to the physical world with journey tracking through location analytics. View vistor numbers, dwell time, repeat visit rates, and track trends. Fully customize your analysis with raw data available via simple APIs.

Highlights:

Ideal use cases

• Performance-critical wireless LANs
• High-density environments

Hardware features

• 3 radios: 2.4 and 5 GHz, dual-band WIDS/WIPS
• 3-stream 802.11ac Wave 2 and 802.11n, up to 1.9 Gbps
• Gigabit Ethernet port
• PoE: Full functionality under 802.3at (compatible with 802.3af)
• AC adapter available

Cloud management

• Network-wide visibility and control
• Self-provisioning for rapid deployment
• Automatic reporting
• Seamless firmware updates

Enterprise security

• 802.1X and native Active Directory integration
• Air Marshal: real-time WIPS with forensics
• Stateful Layer 3-7 firewall
• Identity-based group policies
• Built-in antivirus scan (NAC)

Guest access

• 1-click secure guest access
• Guest isolation firewall
• Customizable splash pages
• Integrated Facebook login

RF optimization

• Dual-concurrent radios with MU-MIMO support
• Radios optimized for rate-vs-range performance
• Third radio dedicated to security and RF management
• Built-in real-time RF spectrum view
• Cloud-based automatic RF optimization

Layer 7 traffic shaping

• Classifies hundreds of applications
• Create per-application bandwidth limits
• Prioritize productivity apps
• Restrict or block recreational traffic

Presence location analytics

• Measure visitor capture rate, visit length, and repeat visit rate
• Measure visitor trends over time and compare performance across locations

Device management

• Create device-specific firewall rules
• Monitor and track device inventory
• Deploy applications and enforce security settings

Specifications:

MR42 Specifications

Radios 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n client access radio 5 GHz 802.11a/n/ac client access radio 2.4 & 5 GHz dual-band WIDS/WIPS, spectrum analysis, & location analytics radio 2.4 GHz Bluetooth radio with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Beacon support Concurrent operation of all four radios Max aggregate frame rate 1.9 Gbit/s Supported frequency bands (country-specific restrictions apply): 2.412-2.484 GHz 5.150-5.250 GHz (UNII-1) 5.250-5.350 GHz (UNII-2) 5.470-5.600, 5.660-5.725 (UNII-2e) 5.725-5.825 GHz (UNII-3) Antenna Integrated omni-directional antennas (5 dBi gain at 2.4 GHz, 5.5 dBi gain at 5 GHz) Individual antenna elements for each radio 802.11ac Wave 2 & 802.11n Capabilities 3x3 multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) with three spatial streams SU-MIMO and MU-MIMO support Maximal ratio combining (MRC) & beamforming 20 & 40 MHz channels (802.11n) 20, 40, & 80 MHz channels (802.11ac) Up to 256-QAM on both 2.4 & 5 GHz Packet aggregation Power Power over Ethernet: 37 - 57 V (802.3af compatible, with functionality-restricted 802.3af mode supported) Alternative 12V DC input Power consumption: 20 W max (802.3at) Power over Ethernet injector and DC adapter sold separately LED Indicators Multi-color & multi-function status indicator Interfaces 1 × 10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet (RJ45) 1 × DC power connector (5.5mm x 2.5mm, center positive) Mounting All standard mounting hardware included Desktop, ceiling, and wall mount capable Ceiling tile rail (9/16, 15/16 or 1 ½" flush or recessed rails) Assorted cable junction boxes Bubble level on mounting cradle for accurate horizontal wall mounting Physical Security Security screw included Kensington lock hard point Anti-tamper cable bay Concealed mount plate

Environment Operating temperature: 32 °F to 104 °F (0 °C to 40 °C) Humidity: 5 to 95% non-condensing Physical Dimensions 10.0” x 6.1” x 1.5” (253.4 mm x 155.8 mm x 37.1 mm), not including deskmount feet or mount plate Weight: 25 oz (0.7kg) Security Integrated Layer 7 firewall with mobile device policy management Real-time WIDS/WIPS with alerting and automatic rogue AP containment with Air Marshal Flexible guest access with device isolation VLAN tagging (802.1q) and tunneling with IPsec VPN PCI compliance reporting WEP, WPA, WPA2-PSK, WPA2-Enterprise with 802.1X EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, EAP-MSCHAPv2, EAP-SIM TKIP and AES encryption Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) & Mobile Device Management (MDM) integration Quality of Service Advanced Power Save (U-APSD) WMM Access Categories with DSCP and 802.1p support Layer 7 application traffic identification and shaping Mobility PMK and OKC credential support for fast Layer 2 roaming Distributed or centralized layer 3 roaming Analytics Embedded location analytics reporting and device tracking Global L7 traffic analytics reporting per network, per device, & per application Warranty Lifetime hardware warranty with advanced replacement included Ordering Information MR42-HW Meraki MR42 Cloud Managed 802.11ac AP MA-PWR-30W-XX Meraki AC Adapter for MR Series (XX = US, EU, UK, or AU) MA-INJ-4-XX Cisco Meraki 802.3at PoE Injector (XX = US, EU, UK, or AU) Note: Meraki access point license required.

RF Performance Table:

2.4 GHz

Operating Band	Operation Mode	Data Rate	TX Power	RX Sensitivity
2.4 GHz	802.11b	1 Mb/s	21 dBm	-98 dBm
		2 Mb/s	21 dBm	-93.5 dBm
		5.5 Mb/s	21 dBm	-92 dBm
		11 Mb/s	21 dBm	-86 dBm
2.4 GHz	802.11g	6 Mb/s	21 dBm	-93 dBm
		9 Mb/s	21 dBm	-92.5 dBm
		12 Mb/s	20.5 dBm	-91 dBm
		18 Mb/s	20.5 dBm	-89 dBm
		24 Mb/s	19 dBm	-85 dBm
		36 Mb/s	19.5 dBm	-82.5 dBm
		48 Mb/s	18.5 dBm	-78 dBm
		54 Mb/s	18.5 dBm	-76 dBm
2.4 GHz	802.11n (HT20)	MCS0/8/16	21/24/25.7 dBm	-93/-96/-97.7 dBm
		MCS1/9/17	20.5/23.5/25.2 dBm	-89/-92/-93.7 dBm
		MCS2/10/18	20.5/23.5/25.2 dBm	-87/-90/-91.7 dBm
		MCS3/11/19	19/22/23.7 dBm	-83/-86/-87.7 dBm
		MCS4/12/20	19.5/22.5/24.2 dBm	-80/-83/-84.7 dBm
		MCS5/13/21	18.5/21.5/23.2 dBm	-76/-79/-80.7 dBm
		MCS6/14/22	18.5/21.5/23.2 dBm	-74/-77/-78.7 dBm
		MCS7/15/23	18/21/22.7 dBm	-73/-76/-77.7 dBm
2.4 GHz	802.11n (VHT20)	MCS0/0/0	21/24/25.7 dBm	-93/-96/-97.7 dBm
		MCS1/1/1	20.5/23.5/25.2 dBm	-89/-92/-93.7 dBm
		MCS2/2/2	20.5/23.5/25.2 dBm	-87/-90/-91.7 dBm
		MCS3/3/3	19/22/23.7 dBm	-83/-86/-87.7 dBm
		MCS4/4/4	19.5/22.5/24.2 dBm	-80/-83/-84.7 dBm
		MCS5/5/5	18.5/21.5/23.2 dBm	-76/-79/-80.7 dBm
		MCS6/6/6	18.5/21.5/23.2 dBm	-74/-77/-78.7 dBm
		MCS7/7/7	18/21/22.7 dBm	-73/-76/-77.7 dBm
		MCS8/8/8	17/xx/xx dBm	-73/xx/xx dBm
		MCS9/9/9	17/xx/xx dBm	-68/xx/x dBm

5 GHz

Operating Band	Operation Mode	Data Rate	TX Power	RX Sensitivity
5 GHz	802.11a	6 Mb/s	22 dBm	-92 dBm
		9 Mb/s	22 dBm	-91 dBm
		12 Mb/s	22 dBm	-90 dBm
		18 Mb/s	22 dBm	-88 dBm
		24 Mb/s	20 dBm	-84 dBm
		36 Mb/s	19 dBm	-81 dBm
		48 Mb/s	19 dBm	-76 dBm
		54 Mb/s	19 dBm	-74 dBm
5 GHz	802.11n (HT20)	MCS0/8/16	22/25/26.7 dBm	-92/-95/-96.7 dBm
		MCS1/9/17	22/25/26.7 dBm	-88/-91/-92.7 dBm
		MCS2/10/18	22/25/26.7 dBm	-86/-89/-90.7 dBm
		MCS3/11/19	22/23/24.7 dBm	-82/-85/-86.7 dBm
		MCS4/12/20	19/22/23.7 dBm	-79/-82/-83.7 dBm
		MCS5/13/21	19/22/23.7 dBm	-74/-77/-78.7 dBm
		MCS6/14/22	19/22/23.7 dBm	-73/-76/-77.7 dBm
		MCS7/15/23	19/22/23.7 dBm	-71/-74/-75.7 dBm
5 GHz	802.11n (HT40)	MCS0/8/16	2/25/26.7 dBm	-88/-91/-92.7 dBm
		MCS1/9/17	21.5/24.5/26.2 dBm	-85/-88/-89.7 dBm
		MCS2/10/18	20/23/24.7 dBm	-83/-86/-87.7 dBm
		MCS3/11/19	20/23/24.7 dBm	-79/-82/-83.7 dBm
		MCS4/12/20	19.5/22.5/24.2 dBm	-76/-79/-80.7 dBm
		MCS5/13/21	19.5/22.5/24.2 dBm	-72/-75/-76.7dBm
		MCS6/14/22	18.5/21.5/23.2 dBm	-70/-73/-74.7 dBm
		MCS7/15/23	18/21/22.7 dBm	-69/-72/-73.7 dBm
5 GHz	802.11ac (HT20)	MCS0/0/0	22/25/26.7 dBm	-92/-95/-96.7 dBm
		MCS1/1/1	22/25/26.7 dBm	-88/-91/-92.7 dBm
		MCS2/2/2	22/25/26.7 dBm	-86/-89/-90.7 dBm
		MCS3/3/3	22/23/24.7 dBm	-82/-85/-86.7 dBm
		MCS4/4/4	19/22/23.7 dBm	-79/-82/-83.7 dBm
		MCS5/5/5	19/22/23.7 dBm	-74/-77/-78.7 dBm
		MCS6/6/6	19/22/23.7 dBm	-73/-76/-77.7 dBm
		MCS7/7/7	19/22/23.7 dBm	-71/-74/-75.7 dBm
		MCS8/8/8	18.5/21.5/23.2 dBm	-67/-70/-71.7 dBm
		MCS9/9/9	18.5/21.5/23.2 dBm	-63/-66/-67.7 dBm
5 GHz	802.11ac (HT40)	MCS0/0/0	22/25/26.7 dBm	-88/-91/-92.7 dBm
		MCS1/1/1	21.5/24.5/26.2 dBm	-85/-88/-89.7 dBm
		MCS2/2/2	20/23/24.7 dBm	-83/-86/-87.7 dBm
		MCS3/3/3	20/23/24.7 dBm	-79/-82/-83.7 dBm
		MCS4/4/4	19.5/22.5/24.2 dBm	-76/-79/-80.7 dBm
		MCS5/5/5	19.5/22.5/24.2 dBm	-72/-75/-76.7dBm
		MCS6/6/6	18.5/21.5/23.2 dBm	-70/-73/-74.7 dBm
		MCS7/7/7	18/21/22.7 dBm	-69/-72/-73.7 dBm
		MCS8/8/8	18/21/22.7 dBm	-67/-70/-71.7 dBm
		MCS9/9/9	18/21/22.7 dBm	-63/-66/-67.7 dBm
5 GHz	802.11ac (VHT80)	MCS0/0/0	22/25/26.7 dBm	-86/-89/-90.7 dBm
		MCS1/1/1	21.5/24.5/26.2 dBm	-82/-85/-86.7 dBm
		MCS2/2/2	21.5/24.5/26.2 dBm	-80/-83/-84.7 dBm
		MCS3/3/3	20.5/23.5/24.2 dBm	-76/-79/-80.7 dBm
		MCS4/4/4	20.5/23.5/24.2 dBm	-73/-76/-77.7 dBm
		MCS5/5/5	19.5/22.5/24.2 dBm	-69/-72/-73.7 dBm
		MCS6/6/6	19/22/23.7 dBm	-67/-70/-71.7 dBm
		MCS7/7/7	19/22/23.7 dBm	-66/-69/-70.7 dBm
		MCS8/8/8	18/21/22.7 dBm	-61/-64/-65.7 dBm
		MCS9/9/9	18/21/22.7 dBm	-59/-62/-63.7 dBm

Signal Coverage Pattern:

Compare Access Points:

	MR20	MR30H	MR33	MR42	MR42E
Usage	Basic wireless, very low-density deployments	In-room hotel or dormitory deployments that must service IP-enabled devices	Basic 802.11ac Wave 2 for futureproof deployments	General purpose 802.11ac Wave 2 for campus and enterprise	General purpose wireless, challenging RF, or focused coverage scenarios
Radio specification	1 × 802.11b/g/n 1 × 802.11a/n/ac 1.3 Gbit/sec max rate 2×2:2 MU-MIMO with beamforming	1 × 802.11b/g/n 1 × 802.11a/n/ac 1 × WIDS/WIPS 1 × Bluetooth 1.3 Gbit/sec max rate 2×2:2 MU-MIMO with beamforming	1 × 802.11b/g/n 1 × 802.11a/n/ac 1 × WIDS/WIPS 1 × Bluetooth 1.9 Gbit/sec max rate 2×2:2 MU-MIMO with beamforming	1 × 802.11b/g/n 1 × 802.11a/n/ac 1 × WIDS/WIPS 1 × Bluetooth 1.3 Gbit/sec max rate 3×3:3 MU-MIMO with beamforming	1 × 802.11b/g/n 1 × 802.11a/n/ac 1 × WIDS/WIPS 1 × Bluetooth 1.3 Gbit/sec max rate 3×3:3 MU-MIMO with beamforming
Interface	1 × Gigabit Ethernet port	1 × 10/100/1000 BASE-T Ethernet (RJ45) input 1 × Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) with 802.3af Power over Ethernet output 3x Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) outputs	1 × Gigabit Ethernet port	1 × Gigabit Ethernet port	1 × Gigabit Ethernet port
Power	802.3af PoE DC power adaptor	802.3af PoE	802.3af PoE DC power adaptor	802.3af PoE DC power adaptor	802.3at/802.3af PoE DC power adaptor
Performance features	2×2:2 MU-MIMO Priority Voice, Power Save (802.11e/WMM) Hardware-accelerated encryption Band steering	2×2:2 MU-MIMO Hardware-accelerated encryption Band steering	2×2:2 SU-MIMO Priority Voice, Power Save (802.11e/WMM) Hardware-accelerated encryption Band steering	3×3:3 MU-MIMO Priority Voice, Power Save (802.11e/WMM) Hardware-accelerated encryption Band steering	3×3:3 MU-MIMO Priority Voice, Power Save (802.11e/WMM) Hardware-accelerated encryption Band steering Removable antennas

Documentation:

Download the Cisco Meraki MR42 Datasheet (PDF).

Download the Cisco Meraki MR Family Datasheet (PDF).