10 Cisco Meraki Interview Questions and Answers

Cisco Meraki is a leading cloud-managed IT solution that simplifies the management of network infrastructure. Known for its robust security features, scalability, and ease of deployment, Meraki is widely adopted in various industries to manage wireless, switching, security, and mobile device management. Its intuitive dashboard and powerful analytics make it a preferred choice for organizations looking to streamline their network operations.

This article offers a curated selection of interview questions designed to test your knowledge and proficiency with Cisco Meraki. By reviewing these questions and their detailed answers, you will be better prepared to demonstrate your expertise and problem-solving abilities in a professional setting.

Cisco Meraki Interview Questions and Answers

1. Describe the process of configuring a basic SSID on a Meraki wireless access point.

Configuring a basic SSID on a Meraki wireless access point involves using the Meraki Dashboard, a cloud-based management interface. First, log in and navigate to the Wireless section, then select the SSIDs tab. Click “Add SSID” to create a new one, providing a name and configuring settings like visibility and security (e.g., WPA2, WPA3). Set up access control, possibly using a pre-shared key or integrating with an external server like RADIUS. You can also configure traffic shaping and firewall rules to manage bandwidth and security. Save and apply the changes, and the new SSID will be available for clients.

2. Write a Python script to list all the networks in an organization using the Meraki API.

To list all networks in an organization using the Meraki API, interact with the relevant API endpoint. Here’s a Python script to achieve this:

import requests

API_KEY = 'your_api_key_here'
ORG_ID = 'your_organization_id_here'

url = f'https://api.meraki.com/api/v1/organizations/{ORG_ID}/networks'

headers = {
    'X-Cisco-Meraki-API-Key': API_KEY,
    'Content-Type': 'application/json'
}

response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)

if response.status_code == 200:
    networks = response.json()
    for network in networks:
        print(f"Network ID: {network['id']}, Name: {network['name']}")
else:
    print(f"Failed to retrieve networks: {response.status_code}")

3. How would you configure traffic shaping rules to prioritize VoIP traffic over other types of traffic?

Traffic shaping in Cisco Meraki can prioritize VoIP traffic, which is sensitive to latency and packet loss. To configure this, log in to the Dashboard, navigate to the “Security & SD-WAN” or “Wireless” tab, and go to “Traffic Shaping.” Create a rule for VoIP traffic, either by selecting predefined applications or defining custom rules. Set the priority to High and configure any additional settings as needed.

4. Write a Python function to update the firmware of all devices in a specific network using the Meraki API.

To update firmware for all devices in a specific network using the Meraki API, make authenticated requests to list devices and update their firmware. Here’s a Python function for this process:

import requests

def update_firmware(api_key, network_id, firmware_version):
    base_url = "https://api.meraki.com/api/v1"
    headers = {
        "X-Cisco-Meraki-API-Key": api_key,
        "Content-Type": "application/json"
    }

    devices_url = f"{base_url}/networks/{network_id}/devices"
    response = requests.get(devices_url, headers=headers)
    devices = response.json()

    for device in devices:
        device_serial = device['serial']
        update_url = f"{base_url}/networks/{network_id}/devices/{device_serial}/firmware"
        payload = {"firmware": firmware_version}
        requests.put(update_url, headers=headers, json=payload)

# Example usage
api_key = "your_api_key"
network_id = "your_network_id"
firmware_version = "new_firmware_version"
update_firmware(api_key, network_id, firmware_version)

5. Write a Python script to create a custom alert that triggers when a device goes offline.

To create a custom alert for when a Meraki device goes offline, use the Meraki Dashboard API. The following Python script checks device status and sends an alert if offline:

import requests
import time

API_KEY = 'your_api_key'
NETWORK_ID = 'your_network_id'
DEVICE_SERIAL = 'your_device_serial'
ALERT_EMAIL = '[email protected]'

def get_device_status(api_key, network_id, device_serial):
    url = f"https://api.meraki.com/api/v1/networks/{network_id}/devices/{device_serial}/uplink"
    headers = {
        'X-Cisco-Meraki-API-Key': api_key,
        'Content-Type': 'application/json'
    }
    response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)
    if response.status_code == 200:
        uplinks = response.json()
        for uplink in uplinks:
            if uplink['status'] == 'active':
                return True
    return False

def send_alert(email, device_serial):
    print(f"Alert: Device {device_serial} is offline. Sending email to {email}.")

while True:
    if not get_device_status(API_KEY, NETWORK_ID, DEVICE_SERIAL):
        send_alert(ALERT_EMAIL, DEVICE_SERIAL)
    time.sleep(60)

6. Describe the steps to configure high availability for a pair of Meraki MX security appliances.

To configure high availability for Meraki MX security appliances, connect both MX devices to the same network. In the Dashboard, add the secondary MX and enable “Warm Spare” to designate primary and secondary roles. Assign unique uplink IPs in the same subnet and verify both devices’ status.

7. How do you monitor Meraki devices and what key metrics do you track?

Monitoring Meraki devices involves using the Dashboard for real-time visibility into network performance. Key metrics include device status, network usage, client connectivity, latency, jitter, packet loss, and security events. The Dashboard and API facilitate comprehensive monitoring and management.

8. What steps would you take to configure security policies on a Meraki network?

To configure security policies on a Meraki network, log in to the Dashboard and navigate to “Security & SD-WAN.” Set up firewall rules, content filtering, IDS/IPS, VPN settings, and AMP. For wireless networks, configure security settings like WPA2/WPA3 encryption. Regularly review security logs and alerts.

9. How do you manage client devices on a Meraki network?

Managing client devices on a Meraki network is done through the Dashboard, which offers tools for monitoring, policy enforcement, network configuration, alerts, and remote troubleshooting. Administrators can view device details, apply group policies, and receive notifications for specific events.

10. Describe the process of managing firmware updates across multiple Meraki devices.

Managing firmware updates across multiple Meraki devices involves using the Dashboard to check for updates, schedule them, and monitor their deployment. Test updates on a subset of devices before full deployment. After updates, verify device functionality through real-time monitoring and alerts.