How to Complete Connectivity Setup Guide

We will explain

This guide will cover:

• How to set up the key hardware (Vodafone router + Meraki MX68CW device)
• Getting started with the Meraki Dashboard (quick tour of menus)
• How to view basic Wi-Fi analytics
• How to connect a device to the Meraki Wi-Fi and how it appears on the dashboard
• How to connect a device to the Meraki LAN and how it appears on the dashboard

Your Complete Connectivity Package

Your Complete Connectivity package will include the following:

• Vodafone Router
• CISCO Meraki MX68CW device, with a Vodafone SIM card already inserted
• A power lead for the Meraki MX68CW
• Any additional add-on devices you may have ordered:
  • CISCO Meraki indoor Access Point MR36
  • CISCO Meraki outdoor Access Point MR76
  • CISCO Meraki indoor camera MR12
  • CISCO Meraki outdoor camera MR72

How to Set the Key Hardware

(Vodafone router + Meraki MX68CW device)

Key Steps

1. Power up and connect the Vodafone router to the internet.
2. Power up and connect the Meraki MX Wi-Fi and Security device to the Vodafone router.
3. Log in to your online dashboard.
4. Install your add-ons (optional).

Overview of the Setup

A diagram illustrates the basic setup: a Vodafone router/modem is connected via an Ethernet cable to a Meraki Wi-Fi & Security Appliance (MX68CW), which has a Vodafone SIM card inserted. Optional devices like Cameras and Wireless Access Points are also indicated.

Step 1: Vodafone Router Setup

To start the setup, open the Vodafone router box. It will contain:

• A Vodafone router
• An Ethernet cable (RJ45) and (RJ11)
• A power supply
• A Microfilter

Step 2: Positioning the Router

Unbox the router and position it near a power socket and your phone socket. Ensure there is enough room to connect the Meraki MX68CW. ⚠️ If possible, avoid placing them next to other electronic devices, metal objects (e.g., racking) or large obstacles, as these will interfere with your Wi-Fi signal.

Step 3: Connecting the Vodafone Router

There are several types of phone socket you may find at your business. If your phone socket has a single port, you will need a microfilter.

Plug one end of the internet cable into the black port at the back of the router, and the other end into the microfilter. Then plug the microfilter into the phone socket.

If your phone socket has two ports, you don't need a microfilter – just plug the internet cable into the smaller port, and the other end into the router's black port.

Now plug the power cable into the back of the router and connect to a nearby plug. Switch on the router by pressing the on/off button on the back.

The first time you do this, your router will set itself up. Leave it connected and uninterrupted for up to an hour. Once you have an internet connection, you will see a stable white light above ‘Internet’ towards the bottom of your router. ?

? That's the first step completed, with your Vodafone router successfully set up!

Step 4: CISCO Meraki MX68CW Setup

Now open the CISCO Meraki MX68CW box.

Inside the CISCO Meraki MX68CW box you will find:

• The Meraki MX68CW device (a silver box with two black antennas)
• A power adapter
• An Ethernet cable
• Screws and raw plugs for wall mounting
• A setup manual and SIM card tray opening pin

You will also receive a separate power lead (not in the CISCO Meraki MX68CW box but included in the Complete Connectivity package, in a small canvas bag). This needs to be plugged into the adapter.

Position your device as close to a window as possible. This is to ensure you get the best possible signal for the Mobile backup. As previously mentioned, avoid placing it in an enclosed environment (e.g., inside a cupboard or locker) or right next to other electronic devices, metal objects (such as racking) or large obstacles, so as to avoid Wi-Fi interference. ?

Connect your Meraki device to a power source using the AC adapter and power cable provided.

The Meraki MX device has WAN ports, LAN ports, and PoE LAN ports. Using the Ethernet cable provided, connect the first WAN port on the device, labelled ‘Internet 1', to the Vodafone router's ‘LAN-1’ port.

If you purchased additional devices with your Complete Connectivity package, such as cameras (Meraki MV) or wireless access points (Meraki MR), you will need to connect a suitable Ethernet cable from each of these to one of the MX68CW ports numbered from 3 to 10.

After connecting all your Meraki devices, check their LED lights to ensure they are properly connected:

• Your Meraki MX device(s) should display a solid white LED when it is connected to the internet and working properly. A solid purple LED means you are connected via the Vodafone Mobile Backup and you need to get your broadband connectivity checked. If the light is cycling through different colours, it is still downloading updates and you need to wait for it to finish. ?
• Your access points and camera device(s) should display a solid green or blue LED when connected. ?

Initial Setup: Account and Dashboard

Confirm Login Email Address

By now, you should have received an email from CISCO Meraki-No Reply, informing you that you have been granted administrator privileges to a network in the organisation "your organisation name". It will also confirm your login email address and provide a link to select your password. Click on this link.

We recommend that you use Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Firefox as internet browsers to access your dashboard.

Choose Password

1. Now click on the “Choose your password here" link in your email.
2. You will then have to enter your selected password and confirm it.

Connectivity Portal Login

After creating your password, you will be redirected to the Vodafone Complete Connectivity portal, found at http://dashboard.meraki.com. Use your email address and newly selected password to log in.

Secured and Protected: Two-Factor Authentication

To ensure your network is secured and protected, 2 Factor authentication (2FA) has been activated by default. This means for someone to successfully login, they will need their username & password details as well as a code that will be received on your phone each time you login.

SMS Authentication Setup

Upon your first login, you'll be asked to set up SMS authentication.

Type in your phone number, press send code. You'll receive an SMS from Meraki with a Code, type this code in the Code text box and press verify. ✔️

Backup Phone Number (Optional)

You'll be asked if you want to set up an additional number optionally as a backup in case the primary phone is not available with you. You can skip this if you don't have a backup phone by pressing Next.

Completing User Creation

Now you have successfully completed the user creation process. Every time you log in to your Meraki Dashboard, you will need both your account password and an SMS code, which will be received on your phone, to use for login.

Troubleshooting: Login or Password Issues

If you can't log in or forgot your password:

1. Go to https://dashboard.meraki.com/ and click on "I forgot my password".
2. This should take you to a new page, where you need to input your admin email address and press submit.
3. You will now be sent by email instructions from email Cisco Meraki – No Reply with subject "Cisco Meraki Password Reset".
4. Follow the instructions in the email to reset your password, then log in again to https://dashboard.meraki.com/ with your admin email and new password.

Getting Started with Dashboard: Quick Tour of Menus

Log-in to the Vodafone Dashboard

Once you have successfully logged in, from the network-wide tab, select Clients.

Connect with Live Clients (LAN or Wi-Fi)

Under the Status column, connected devices (a.k.a. "clients") are highlighted green while non-connected clients are shown as grey. You can also identify which devices are connected through a wired LAN connection...

... or through a Wi-Fi connection. ?

Display and Filter Client and Network Activity

By selecting Clients, you will be able to see a graph showing the activity of users on your network, as well as a table displaying all devices connected to your network and their corresponding operating system.

You can filter by various time intervals:

1. Over the last two hours
2. The last day
3. Over the last week
4. The last 30 days

Note: If you have requested static IPs, please refer to the ‘How to configure static IPs’ video.

Advanced Configuration

How to Configure Static IPs

This section provides visual steps for configuring static IPs, typically involving Wi-Fi settings and the Meraki Wi-Fi network.

How to Connect a Device to the Meraki Wi-Fi

Your Complete Connectivity Wi-Fi network comes created by default. To view your Wi-Fi name and password, select Security & SD-WAN from the left-hand menu and choose Wireless settings from the menu.

Secure and Personalize Your Network Name (SSID) and Password

We advise you to change your network name (SSID) and password before using your network to make it secure and personalized. Then click on Show Key to see your current network name (SSID) and password. For a detailed guide on how to do this, please watch the video "How to set up Wi-Fi for your guests and/or staff".

How to Add/Change SSID

This section provides visual steps for adding or changing the SSID on the Meraki dashboard.