Cisco MS130-8X-HW Meraki 8-Port Ethernet Switch

Cisco MS130-8X-HW Meraki 8-Port Ethernet Switch

Overview of the Cisco MS130-8X-HW

The Cisco MS130-8X-HW Meraki 8-Port Ethernet Switch is a feature-rich, cloud-managed switch designed to cater to small and medium-sized businesses. It combines ease of use with high performance, making it ideal for organizations seeking robust network management capabilities with minimal administrative overhead. This managed switch is designed for environments where reliability, security, and seamless scalability are crucial, ensuring smooth data flow across the network.

Key Features

• Managed 8-Port Switch: The Cisco MS130-8X-HW is equipped with eight high-performance Gigabit Ethernet ports, making it suitable for a range of networking setups.
• Cloud Managed: Leveraging the Meraki cloud dashboard, this switch provides administrators with real-time monitoring, configuration options, and remote troubleshooting tools, reducing the need for onsite technical support.
• Advanced Security Features: Built with enterprise-grade security, the switch supports 802.1X authentication, access control lists (ACLs), and network segmentation to ensure safe, isolated access to critical resources.
• Power over Ethernet (PoE+): The switch delivers up to 240W of PoE+ power to connected devices such as IP cameras, wireless access points, and VoIP phones, eliminating the need for separate power sources.
• Layer 2 Functionality: Supports key Layer 2 features like Quality of Service (QoS) for traffic prioritization, VLAN segmentation, and Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) to ensure efficient, organized traffic flow.

Performance Specifications

The MS130-8X-HW is designed to optimize performance for various types of network traffic. With a switching capacity of 56 Gbps, it ensures that data flows smoothly without bottlenecks, making it suitable for data-intensive applications. Additionally, the switch has a non-blocking architecture, meaning it can handle traffic at full speed without dropping packets or introducing unnecessary latency.

Security Features

• 802.1X Authentication: Ensures that only authenticated devices can connect to the network, providing robust security against unauthorized access.
• DHCP Snooping: Helps prevent rogue DHCP servers from assigning IP addresses, mitigating a common attack vector in enterprise networks.
• Access Control Lists (ACLs): Provides detailed control over traffic, allowing administrators to define who can access specific resources and services on the network.
• Network Segmentation: Create VLANs to segment the network, improving security by isolating traffic and restricting access to sensitive resources.

Power Over Ethernet (PoE+) Capabilities

The Cisco MS130-8X-HW supports PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at), delivering up to 30W per port for connected devices. This capability is crucial in environments where IoT devices, such as surveillance cameras or wireless access points, are deployed. The switch's total PoE budget of 240W ensures that multiple high-power devices can be connected without the need for separate power supplies.

Advantages of PoE+

• Eliminate Power Cables: PoE+ eliminates the need for additional power cabling, simplifying deployment and reducing installation costs.
• Flexibility: Devices can be placed where they are most needed, even if there is no power outlet nearby.
• Centralized Power Management: Power management for all PoE+ devices can be done centrally through the Meraki cloud dashboard.

Cloud Management through Meraki Dashboard

One of the standout features of the MS130-8X-HW is its integration with the Meraki cloud management platform. The Meraki dashboard provides a comprehensive view of all connected devices, network traffic, and switch performance, enabling administrators to make real-time adjustments and troubleshoot issues remotely. The dashboard also simplifies firmware updates, ensuring that the switch is always running the latest security patches and performance improvements.

Benefits of Cloud Management

• Remote Configuration: Configure the switch from anywhere, without the need for onsite personnel.
• Real-Time Monitoring: View live data about network health, traffic, and performance at any time.
• Automated Alerts: Receive alerts for abnormal traffic patterns or potential security threats, allowing administrators to take immediate action.
• Firmware Updates: Automatic updates ensure the switch always has the latest features and security enhancements.

Expansion and Connectivity

The MS130-8X-HW is designed to accommodate growing networks. It features eight Gigabit Ethernet ports, which support a range of devices, from workstations to servers. Additionally, it includes two dedicated uplink ports, ensuring high-speed connections to other switches or routers, facilitating the expansion of the network infrastructure.

Port Configuration

• 8 x Gigabit Ethernet Ports: Suitable for high-speed device connectivity, supporting data transfer rates up to 1 Gbps per port.
• 2 x 10G SFP+ Uplink Ports: Enables high-speed uplinks to other network devices or core switches, ensuring fast data transmission across larger networks.
• Flexible Deployment Options: With both PoE+ and non-PoE ports, the switch is suitable for various deployment scenarios, from office environments to industrial settings.

Advanced Layer 2 Features

The Cisco MS130-8X-HW switch supports an array of Layer 2 features, ensuring smooth network traffic management and improved performance. By implementing Layer 2 functionalities, network administrators can easily prioritize traffic, segment the network, and optimize bandwidth utilization.

Layer 2 Features

• VLAN Support: Segregate network traffic into different virtual LANs to improve performance and security.
• Quality of Service (QoS): Prioritize mission-critical traffic such as voice and video, ensuring consistent and reliable performance.
• Link Aggregation: Combine multiple network links for increased throughput and redundancy, ensuring better availability and failover protection.

Compliance and Certifications

Meeting industry standards and certifications is essential for a switch deployed in enterprise environments. The MS130-8X-HW adheres to multiple compliance frameworks, ensuring it meets the necessary guidelines for safety, performance, and interoperability.

Key Compliance Standards

• IEEE 802.1X: Network access control for secure device authentication.
• IEEE 802.1Q: VLAN tagging to segment and organize traffic.
• IEEE 802.3af/at: Power over Ethernet (PoE) and PoE+ standards, allowing for the powering of devices through the network cable.
• RoHS Compliance: Environmentally friendly design, ensuring that hazardous materials are minimized.

Environmental Considerations

The Cisco MS130-8X-HW switch is designed with sustainability in mind. Its energy-efficient design ensures that it minimizes power consumption during operation. The fanless architecture not only helps reduce noise but also contributes to energy savings by eliminating the need for an internal cooling system. Moreover, the switch supports Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE), which lowers power usage during periods of low data activity.

Energy Efficiency

• Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE): Reduces energy consumption when data flow is low.
• Fanless Design: Operates silently, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments.
• Low Power Consumption: Consumes only 19 watts in standby mode, optimizing power usage.

Physical and Power Specifications

The MS130-8X-HW is a compact switch designed to fit seamlessly into most office or server room setups. It can be placed on a desktop or wall-mounted, depending on the deployment environment. The switch comes with an external power adapter to reduce internal heat, contributing to its fanless, silent operation.

• Enclosure Type: Desktop or wall-mountable for flexible installation.
• Dimensions: Designed to be compact, ensuring it fits easily into any networking setup.
• Power Supply: External power adapter included, rated for 54V DC.
• Power Consumption (Standby): 19 watts, ensuring low operational costs.