Meraki
Meraki is a cloud networking company that provides hardware and software for building large scale wired and wireless networks. These networks are used by businesses, schools, and other organizations that need wireless access points, multi-site wired networks, or both. It uses a centralized control system hosted on Meraki's servers. The company was started by two MIT PhD students, Sanjit Biswas and John Bicket, along with Hans Robertson. The company is based in part on the MIT Roofnet project.
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[edit] Business profile
Meraki was funded by Google and Sequoia Capital. The organization started in Mountain View, CA, and is currently located in San Francisco, CA. Meraki employs many people who worked on the MIT roofnet project.[1][2][3][4]
[edit] Management software
Meraki management software (called the "Enterprise Cloud Controller") allows Meraki networks to be set up and controlled through the internet. The same management software is used for all of their product lines (wireless LAN, security appliances, switches, and Systems Manager).
When a Meraki device boots, it establishes a tunnel to two Meraki data centers. A configuration file is then pushed down to each of the devices. The device uses the same tunnel to report management information to Meraki.
[edit] Wireless LAN
In 2009 Meraki introduced their cloud-controlled wireless LAN line. Meraki currently has a number of wireless access points, including indoor (MR12, MR16, MR24) and outdoor (MR62, MR66, MR58) units. A limited number of accessories are also available.
[edit] Security appliance
In 2010 Meraki launched their MX series of security appliances. The MX provides bandwidth shaping, content filtering, WAN acceleration, client VPN, and variety of other services traditionally found on edge routers. The MX is primarily intended to be used as the single device that attaches to a site's internet connection. Current MX models include the MX60, MX80, MX90, MX400, and MX600. The MX60-90 are intended for branch offices and remote sites, while the MX400 and MX600 are intended for data center use.
[edit] Ethernet switch
In January, 2012 Meraki launched a line of Ethernet switches, the MS line. They currently offer 24 and 48 port versions, with or without PoE. The product competes against high-end managed switches from companies like HP and Cisco. Like other Meraki products, the switches are controlled using Meraki's hosted management software.
[edit] Systems manager
In 2010 Meraki introduced Systems Manager, a cloud-hosted iOS, PC, and MAC management product. The product is currently available at no charge to Meraki customers. Features include remote monitoring, software installation, remote wipe, and security audit.
[edit] Limitations
While Meraki networks continue to serve clients if connectivity to the Cloud Controller is lost, configuration changes are queued until connectivity is restored.
[edit] Community projects
One of Meraki's earliest projects is to demonstrate their technology in a large city. They selected San Francisco to launch their community-based Free the Net campaign starting in the Lower Haight. They started by seeding the area with gateway devices to directly provide the Internet bandwidth and giving away repeaters. In the first year of the project, growth of the network was primarily into the Mission District. As of October 2007, they claim 20,000 distinct users (ever connected) and about 5 terabytes of data transferred in this network.[5][6][7][8][9] In July 2008, Meraki claimed 100,000 people in San Francisco used its 'Free the Net' service [10]. Since then, Meraki has discontinued this public service, though many access points remain active, but with no connection to the Internet.
[edit] Deployment strategies
Meraki's main focus is providing networking products for organizations requiring more than a few APs or that have multiple sites. Meraki can be integrated into existing infrastructures, with support for RADIUS, 802.1x, VLANs, and so on.
[edit] Criticism
After initially acting in support of open-source development of software on Meraki Mini units, in early 2008 the company introduced a more restrictive EULA covering sales of new equipment requiring that, "Meraki Hardware may only be used with Meraki Software" and prohibiting reverse engineering, adding, removing or otherwise altering the software on the device.[11] The previous license agreements contained no restrictions on replacing the software on the device.[12] Shortly after the new EULA was imposed, Meraki sent an unsolicited firmware update to their units in the field which disabled future firmware updates by customers.[13] This has dismayed mesh network enthusiasts, some of whom have questioned the legality of such restrictions being imposed involuntarily and without advance notice.[14] In 2008 Open Mesh began offering similar software with fewer licensing restrictions.[15].
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Official website
- ^ Sequoiacap.com: list of funded companies
- ^ Meraki Cooks Up Wireless Mesh Router August 2, 2006
- ^ Theregister.com: Google-funded startup to offer free Wi-Fi in San Francisco August 15, 2007
- ^ Meraki to Build Free Community WiFi Network via San Francisco March 4, 2007
- ^ Free the Net (San Francisco wireless community)
- ^ Free the Net - San Francisco Forum
- ^ Sharing the Internet with the World 2007
- ^ Startup promises free wireless web in SF AP, January 4, 2008
- ^ Meraki to Build Free Community WiFi Network via San Francisco July 2, 2008
- ^ Meraki End User License Agreement
- ^ [1] Wayback machine license agreement on July 2007
- ^ From "happy hacking" to "screw you"
- ^ Slashdot article with commentary March 24, 2008
- ^ DSL Reports article on creation of Open Mesh March 11, 2008
