Buying Cisco Meraki hardware involves more than selecting the right access point, switch, or security appliance. Licensing is also part of the deployment, and understanding how it works can prevent surprises after the hardware arrives.
At Link US Online, we help businesses source Cisco Meraki hardware from our base in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Because Meraki is built around cloud management, we recommend considering hardware and licensing together rather than treating the license as an afterthought.
Key Takeaways
- Cisco Meraki hardware requires appropriate licensing to remain operational and cloud-managed.
- Meraki currently supports Subscription, Co-Termination, and legacy Per-Device licensing models.
- Subscription Licensing is Cisco Meraki’s newest licensing model.
- Co-Termination gives devices within an organization a shared expiration date.
- Per-Device Licensing remains available to existing users, but new conversions are no longer supported.
- Checking licensing requirements before ordering hardware can simplify deployment and renewal planning.
Why Does Cisco Meraki Require Licensing?
Cisco Meraki is designed around centralized cloud management. The Meraki Dashboard gives IT teams visibility and control over compatible wireless, switching, security, and other network technologies through a common interface.
The license helps provide access to that management environment and the functionality associated with the Meraki platform. Cisco’s documentation states that current Meraki products require valid licensing to operate.
For buyers, that means the hardware SKU is only part of the purchasing decision.
What Cisco Meraki Licensing Models Are Available?
Cisco Meraki currently identifies three licensing models: Subscription Licensing, Co-Termination, and Per-Device Licensing. An individual Meraki organization uses one licensing model rather than mixing different models within the same organization.
Subscription Licensing
Subscription Licensing is Meraki’s latest model. Cisco describes it as offering greater flexibility around payment, configuration, management, and scaling. It can also allow licensing decisions to be managed at the network level.
For growing organizations, this flexibility can be useful when network requirements change over time.
Co-Termination Licensing
Under Co-Term licensing, the Meraki organization receives a single expiration date. When additional licenses are added, Meraki calculates the organization’s expiration date based on the licenses and devices involved.
This approach can make renewals easier to track because IT teams are not managing a separate expiration date for every piece of hardware.
Per-Device Licensing
Per-Device Licensing assigns licensing to individual devices or networks. However, Cisco now classifies this as a legacy option, and conversions to the model are no longer accepted. Existing organizations using PDL can continue managing their licenses while considering alternatives such as Subscription Licensing.
What Should You Check Before Buying Meraki Hardware?
We recommend verifying the exact hardware model, required license, license tier, existing Meraki licensing model, and planned deployment before placing an order.
This is especially important when expanding an existing network. Buying compatible hardware without accounting for the organization’s licensing structure can create extra procurement work later.
At Link US Online, we specialize in helping businesses source networking equipment, including Cisco Meraki products, while keeping real-time inventory information available for buyers looking for specific hardware.
Conclusion
Cisco Meraki licensing is a core part of planning a Meraki deployment. The right choice depends on the organization’s existing environment, number of devices, growth plans, and preferred renewal structure.
We recommend reviewing licensing before purchasing hardware so the equipment and license strategy work together from the start. If you need a specific Meraki access point, switch, appliance, accessory, or compatible hardware SKU, our team at Link US Online can help you source the equipment required for your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cisco Meraki hardware work without a license?
Cisco states that current Meraki products require valid licensing to operate. Licensing also supports access to Meraki’s cloud-management capabilities.
What is Meraki Co-Term licensing?
Co-Termination uses one organization-wide expiration date for the Meraki devices covered by the organization’s licensing. The date can change as licenses and hardware are added.
What is Cisco Meraki Subscription Licensing?
Subscription Licensing is Meraki’s newer model designed to offer more flexible configuration, management, payment, and scaling options.
Can new customers choose Per-Device Licensing?
Per-Device Licensing is now considered a legacy model, and Cisco says new conversions to PDL are no longer accepted.
This post was written by a professional at Link-Us Online. At Link-Us Online, we understand the power of networking and its potential to improve the efficiency of your business. Our team empowers users to discover and acquire high-quality networking hardware from a diverse range of suppliers. We offer a range of industry-leading solutions from top brands such as Cisco, Meraki, HPE, Juniper, APC, Fortinet, and Ubiquiti. Whether you’re a small business owner seeking reliable equipment for your expanding network or someone in the purchasing department working for universities, real estate management companies, or local governments hunting for specific gear, Link-Us Online is your dedicated ally. Contact us if you are looking to buy network equipment.
