In today’s always-on world, network downtime is not an option. Businesses depend on continuous connectivity to keep operations running smoothly, and achieving high availability is a cornerstone of network reliability. One effective way to ensure this is by implementing Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP). If you’re using Cisco Meraki devices, you can configure VRRP directly through the Meraki Dashboard in just a few clicks — no CLI required!
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to set up high availability for your network using VRRP via the Meraki GUI, making your network resilient and fault-tolerant.
What is VRRP and Why Should You Use it?
VRRP is a networking protocol that automatically assigns responsibility for a virtual router to one of the routers in a group. If the primary router fails, VRRP instantly switches control to a backup router, providing uninterrupted routing for your clients.
For organizations relying on Meraki MX security appliances or similar devices, VRRP allows you to configure redundant gateways simply and visually, enhancing your network’s uptime with minimal complexity.
Pre-configuration Checklist:
- Ensure you have at least two Meraki MX devices deployed in the same network location.
- Both MX devices should be up-to-date with the latest firmware.
- Confirm that you have administrator access to the Meraki Dashboard.
- Plan your subnet IP scheme and decide on your virtual IP addresses (VIPs).
Step-by-Step VRRP Setup in the Meraki Dashboard
1. Log in to Your Meraki Dashboard
Head over to dashboard.meraki.com and enter your credentials.
2. Navigate to Your Network
Select the network containing your MX security appliances where you want to enable high availability.
3. Access the Appliance Status Page
In the left-hand menu, click Security & SD-WAN > Appliance status.
This page lets you see all the MX devices in your network and their current status.
4. Enable High Availability (VRRP)
- On the Appliance Status page, locate the High Availability section.
- Click Enable High Availability or the toggle to activate VRRP.
- Pick the primary and secondary MX appliances from the list to act as the VRRP router pair.
5. Configure Virtual IP Addresses
- In the High Availability settings, you’ll find an option to assign a Virtual IP for your WAN and LAN interfaces.
- Enter the VIPs that the MX routers will share, acting as gateways for your clients.
- These addresses should be in the same subnet as your physical MX IPs but should not be used by any individual device.
6. Adjust Priority and Preemption Settings (Optional)
- Set the Priority for each MX appliance; the higher number router will act as the master in VRRP.
- Enable or disable Preemption to control whether the higher priority router takes over immediately if it recovers from failure.
7. Save Your Configuration
Once all settings are configured, click Save to apply the VRRP configuration.
Verify VRRP Operation
After configuration:
- Check the Status of both MX devices under Security & SD-WAN > Appliance status.
- The primary device should show as Master, and the backup as Backup.
- You can test failover by manually powering down the primary MX and watching the secondary take over the Virtual IP immediately.
Tips for a Smooth VRRP Experience
- Keep your MX devices on redundant power supplies to minimize failovers.
- Regularly update firmware to benefit from the latest stability improvements.
- Monitor your network’s uptime and VRRP status regularly through the dashboard.
Final Thoughts
Setting up high availability with VRRP on Meraki MX devices is a straightforward way to bolster your network’s resilience. The Meraki Dashboard GUI’s intuitive interface ensures you can configure this critical redundancy layer without diving into complex command lines.
Implementing VRRP means your network gracefully handles device outages, keeping your users connected and your business running without disruption. With this guide, you now have the roadmap to create a robust, fault-tolerant network infrastructure tailored for today’s demanding environments.
Stay connected and keep your network online!
