CISCO MR28-HW WiFi 6 Indoor Access Point Installation Guide

CISCO MR28-HW WiFi 6 Indoor Access Point

Package Contents

The MR28-HW/GR12-HW package contains the following:

MR28-HW/GR12-HW Cloud-Managed Access Point

Mount plate

• Mount Kit
  Wall screws and security screws

• RJ45 Cable

• Meraki GO/GA-PWR-12W-US

• UMEC & MA-PWR-30WAC

Understanding the MR28-HW/GR12-HW

Your Meraki MR28-HW/GR12-HW has the following features:

The mount plate has the following features:

Security Features
The MR28-HW/GR12-HW features multiple options for physically securing the access point after installation:

1. Security screw – The accessory kit includes screws that can be used to secure the access point to the mount cradle. Engaging the security screw prevents accidental dislodging and theft.

Ethernet Ports
The MR28-HW/GR12-HW features a Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port that accepts 802.3at and 802.3af power (labeled “Eth0, PoE”). This port should be used for uplink to your WAN
connection.

Power Source Options
The MR28-HW/GR12-HW access point can be powered using either the Meraki AC Adapter, PoE Injector (both sold separately), or a third-party PoE switch. The MR28-HW/GR12-
HW operates at full power with 802.3af PoE.

Factory Reset Button
If the button is pressed and held for at least five seconds and then released, the MR28-HW/GR12-HW will reboot and be restored to its original factory settings by deleting all
configuration information stored on the unit.

LED Indicators and Run Dark Mode

Your MR28-HW/GR12-HW is equipped with a multi-color LED light on the front of the unit to convey information about system functionality and performance:

• Orange – AP is booting (permanent Orange suggests hardware issue)
• Rainbow – AP is initializing/scanning
• Blinking Blue – AP is upgrading
• Green – AP in Gateway mode with no clients
• Blue – AP in Gateway mode with clients
• Blinking Orange – AP can’t find uplink

The MR28-HW/GR12-HW may be operated in “Run Dark” mode for additional security and to reduce the visibility of the access point. In this mode, the LED will not be illuminated.
This mode may be enabled through Meraki dashboard.

Pre-Install Preparation

You should complete the following steps before going on-site to perform an installation.

Configure Your Network in Dashboard
The following is a brief overview only of the steps required to add an MR28-HW/GR12-HW to your network. For detailed instructions about creating, configuring and managing
Meraki wireless networks, refer to the online documentation (documentation.meraki.com).

1. Login to http://dashboard.meraki.com. If this is your first time, create a new account.
2. Find the network to which you plan to add your APs or create a new network.
3. Add your APs to your network. You will need your Meraki order number (found on your invoice) or the serial number of each AP, which looks like Qxxx-xxxx-xxxx, and is found on the bottom of the unit. You will also need your Enterprise license key, which you should have received via email.
4. Go to the map / floor plan view and place each AP on the map by clicking and dragging it to the location where you plan to mount it.

Check and Upgrade Firmware
To ensure your MR28-HW/GR12-HW performs optimally immediately following installation, it is recommended that you facilitate a firmware upgrade prior to mounting your
MR28-HW/GR12-HW.

1. Attach your MR28-HW/GR12-HW to power and a wired Internet connection. See the “Power the MR28-HW/GR12-HW” section for details.
2. The MR28-HW/GR12-HW will turn on and the LED will glow solid orange. If the unit does not require a firmware upgrade, the LED will turn either green (no clients associated) or blue (clients associated) within thirty seconds.

• If the unit requires an upgrade, the LED will begin blinking orange until the upgrade is complete, at which point the LED will turn solid green or blue. You should allow at least a few minutes for the firmware upgrade to complete, depending on the speed of your internet connection.

Check and Configure Firewall Settings
If a firewall is in place, it must allow outgoing connections on particular ports to particular IP addresses. The most current list of outbound ports and IP addresses for your particular
organization can be found here.

Assigning IP Addresses to MR28-HW/GR12-HWs

All gateway MR28-HW/GR12-HWs (MR28-HW/GR12-HWs with Ethernet connections to the LAN) must be assigned routable IP addresses. These IP addresses can be dynamically
assigned via DHCP or statically assigned.

Dynamic Assignment
When using DHCP, the DHCP server should be configured to assign a static IP address for each MAC address belonging to a Meraki AP. Other features of the wireless
network, such as 802.1X authentication, may rely on the property that the APs have static IP addresses.

Static Assignment
Static IPs are assigned using the local web server on each AP. The following procedure describes how to set the static IP:

1. Using a client machine (e.g., a laptop), connect to the AP wirelessly (by associating to any SSID broadcast by the AP) or over a wired connection.
2. If using a wired connection, connect the client machine to the MR28-HW/GR12-HW either through a PoE switch or a PoE Injector. If using a PoE switch, plug an Ethernet cable into the MR28-HW/GR12-HW’s Ethernet jack, and the other end into a PoE switch. Then connect the client machine over Ethernet cable to the PoE switch. If using a PoE Injector, connect the MR28-HW/GR12-HW to the “PoE” port of the Injector, and the client machine to the “LAN” port.
3. Using a web browser on the client machine, access the AP’s built-in web server by browsing to http://my.meraki.com. Alternatively, browse to http://10.128.128.128
4. Click on the “Uplink Configuration” tab. Log in. The default login is the serial number (e.g. Qxxx-xxxxxxxx), with no password (e.g., Q2DD-551C-ZYW3).
5. Configure the static IP address, net mask, gateway IP address and DNS servers that this AP will use on its wired connection.
6. If necessary, reconnect the AP to the LAN.

Static IP via DHCP Reservations
Instead of associating to each Meraki AP individually to configure static IP addresses, an administrator can assign static IP addresses on the upstream DHCP server. Through “DHCP reservations,” IP addresses are “reserved” for the MAC addresses of the Meraki APs. Please consult the documentation for the DHCP server to configure DHCP reservations.

Collect Tools
You will need the following tools to perform an installation:

Collect Additional Hardware for Installation
You will need the following hardware to perform an installation:

Installation Instructions

Warning: Due to the heat dissipation in the back of APs during normal operation, please do not stack powered on APs on top of each other during pre- installation to avoid heat damage.

Choose Your Mounting Location
A good mounting location is important to getting the best performance out of your MR28-HW/GR12-HW access point. Keep the following in mind:

1. The device should have unobstructed line of sight to most coverage areas. For example, if installing in an office filled with workspaces divided by mid-height cubicle walls, installing on the ceiling or high on a wall would be ideal.
2. Power over Ethernet supports a maximum cable length of 300 ft (100 m).
3. If being used in a mesh deployment, the MR28-HW/GR12-HW should have line of sight to at least two other Meraki devices. A Cisco Partner can help ensure that your AP placement is ideal.

Power the MR28-HW/GR12-HW
If mounting to an electrical junction box, feed the Ethernet cable through the cable access hole in the mount cradle. If mounting to a wall or ceiling, the Ethernet cable will feed from behind the MR28-HW/GR12-HW. The “Power Source Options” section of this document lists the different powering options and their unique characteristics.

Mount the MR28-HW/GR12-HW

Attach the MR28-HW/GR12-HW to the Mount Cradle
(This section applies to wall and/or solid ceiling, drop ceiling or electrical junction box mount where you have already installed the mount cradle.)
The MR28-HW/GR12-HW attaches to the mount cradle with two tabs on the cradle that insert into the MR28-HW/GR12-HW and is secured to the cradle using one screw.

To attach the MR28-HW/GR12-HW to the mount cradle properly, line up the top edge of the AP with the top tab of the mount cradle. Since the cradle is already mounted to the wall, guide the MR28-HW/GR12-HW towards the top tab and insert the top tab into the MR28-HW/GR12-HW’s slot.

Then adjust the MR28-HW/GR12-HW to guide the MR28-HW/GR12-HW’s bottom slot into the cradle’s bottom tab until it clicks into place. Once in place, the MR28-HW/GR12-HW should be secured to the cradle by using one of the included screws in the cradle’s bottom tab.

To release the MR28-HW/GR12-HW from the mount cradle, first remove the security screw that secures the MR28-HW/GR12-HW to the cradle’s bottom tab. While holding the MR28-HW/GR12-HW with one hand, press the cradle’s bottom tab upwards, releasing the MR28-HW/GR12-HW from the bottom of the cradle. Then remove the MR28-HW/GR12-HW from the cradle’s top tab.

Desk or Shelf Mount
The MR28-HW/GR12-HW can be placed on a desk or shelf resting on the non- scratch rubber feet. The mount cradle is not necessary for a desk or shelf installation.

Secure the MR28-HW/GR12-HW
Depending on your mounting environment, you may want to secure the MR28-HW/GR12-HW to its mount location. If the MR28-HW/GR12-HW has been installed using the mount cradle, it should be secured via security screw (Torx security screws are included).

Power the MR28-HW/GR12-HW
If mounting to an electrical junction box, feed the Ethernet cable through the cable access hole in the mount cradle. If mounting to a wall or ceiling, the Ethernet cable will feed from behind the MR28-HW/GR12-HW. The “Power Source Options” section of this document lists the different powering options and their unique characteristics.

Verify Device Functionality and Test Network Coverage

1. Check LEDs
   a. The Power LED should be solid green (or blue, if clients are connected). If it is flashing blue, the firmware is automatically upgrading and the LED should turn green when the upgrade is completed (normally within a few minutes). See the “LED Indicators” section for more details. .
   b. Note: Your MR28-HW/GR12-HW must have an active route to the Internet to check and upgrade its firmware.

2. Verify access point connectivity
   a. Use any 802.11 client device to connect to the MR28-HW/GR12-HW and verify proper connectivity using the client’s web browser.

3. Check network coverage

4. Confirm that you have good signal strength throughout your coverage area. You can use the signal strength meter on a laptop, smart phone, or other wireless device.

Troubleshooting
Reference the MR Product Page for additional information and troubleshooting tips.

Regulatory Information

FCC Compliance Statement
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This de-vice may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

FCC Interference Statement

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to correct the interference by one of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

FCC Caution
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by Meraki could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment. This Transmitter must not be co- located or operation in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

FCC Radiation Exposure Statement
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance 20 cm between the radiator and your body. This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.
IEEE 802.11b/g/n/ax 2.4 GHz DTS spectrum operation of this product in the USA is firmware-limited to channels 1 through 11.
If the device is going to be operated in the 5.15 – 5.25 frequency range, then it is restricted to indoor environment only.
This device meets all other requirements specified in Part 15E, Section 15.407 of the FCC Rules.

Industry Canada Statement
This device complies with RSS -247 of the Industry Canada Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Industry Canada Caution
(i) the device for operation in the band 5150-5250 MHz is only for indoor use to reduce the potential for harmful interference to co-channel mobile satellite systems;
(i) les dispositifs fonctionnant dans la bande 5 150-5 250 MHz sont réservés uniquement pour une utilisation à l’intérieur afin de réduire les risques de brouillage préjudiciable aux systèmes de satellites mobiles utilisant les mêmes canaux;

Industry Canada Radiation Exposure Statement
This equipment complies with IC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance 21 cm between the radiator & your body.

For additional information on the certification status for the product, please visit Meraki.com/compliance
For additional information on Meraki hardware and for other installation guides, please refer to documentation.meraki.com

CE &UK
This equipment complies with CE/UK radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance 20cm between the radiator & your body.

The frequency and the maximum transmitted power in CE/UK are listed below:

• 2412-2472MHz: 19.88 dBm
• 2402-2480MHz (LE): 9.38 dBm
• 5180-5240MHz: 22.97 dBm
• 5260-5320MHz: 22.94 dBm
• 5500-5700: 29.64 dBm
• 5745-5825MHz: 22.94 dBm

Hereby, [Cisco Systems, Inc.] declares that the radio equipment type [MR28-HW/GR12-HW] is in compliance with Directive 2014/53/EU and Radio Equipment Regulations 2017. The full text of the CE/UK declaration of conformity is available at the following internet address: https://meraki.cisco.com/compliance

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