Meraki Go Indoor WiFi 6 Access Point for Reliable Connectivity

The Meraki Go Indoor WiFi 6 Access Point is a reliable solution for businesses and organizations that need seamless connectivity. It's designed to provide fast and secure internet access to employees, customers, and guests.

This access point supports up to 200 clients and can reach speeds of up to 1.9 Gbps. It's also equipped with a 2.5GbE port for wired connections.

With its compact design, the Meraki Go Indoor WiFi 6 Access Point can be easily mounted on walls or ceilings, making it perfect for small to medium-sized businesses. It's also easy to set up and manage using the Meraki dashboard.

The Meraki Go GR12 Indoor WiFi 6 Access Point is a powerful device that's packed with features to give you a fast and reliable network. It supports WiFi 6, which offers up to 3x faster speeds than WiFi 5.

One of the standout features of the Meraki Go GR12 is its ability to connect up to 100 devices at the same time, making it perfect for homes with multiple users. This is thanks to its 2x capacity.

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Setting up the Meraki Go GR12 is a breeze, thanks to its quick and easy setup process. You can get your network up and running in minutes using the Meraki Go mobile app or web portal.

The Meraki Go GR12 also comes with business-grade security that blocks malicious websites, malware, phishing, and other harmful threats. This ensures that your network is secure and reliable.

Here are the key specs of the Meraki Go GR12:

In terms of hardware, the Meraki Go GR12 has a 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n/ax and 5 GHz 802.11a/n/ac/ax Wi-Fi radio, which provides a strong and reliable connection. It also has 2×2 MIMO (2 spatial streams) internal omnidirectional antennas for better coverage.

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The Meraki cloud app interface is where you'll spend most of your time configuring and managing your Meraki Go Indoor Wi-Fi 6 access point.

You can access the interface from the mobile app or the web app, and they're functionally the same. I personally prefer logging in through the web app.

The home screen displays easy access functions like the Speed test and Reboot, as well as a quick view of connected devices and usage data. At this point, I don't see any data because I haven't configured a Wi-Fi network yet.

The Hardware screen shows the status of your Meraki hardware, which is useful for monitoring the health of your device. I only have one Meraki device at the moment, but I'm sure I'll be adding more soon – the Amazon link on the interface is already encouraging me to do so.

By default, networks are set up to allow devices to connect in NAT mode, which isolates client devices from each other.

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The Meraki Go GR12 is a powerful indoor WiFi 6 access point that's packed with features to help you manage your network with ease.

One of the key features is WPA3 security, which allows you to set each SSID to WPA3, WPA2, or a mixed mode supporting both.

The guest network feature is also a game-changer, enabling you to disable certain networks and prevent clients from accessing other network devices.

Scheduling is another useful feature, allowing you to set specific times for each Wi-Fi network to be online and offline.

The GR12 also supports usage limits, which is a Quality of Service (QoS) feature that prioritizes network traffic.

Web blocking is another feature that lets you block clients from connecting to specific domains.

You can also configure radio settings to specify whether a network runs dual-band or single-band, and enable band steering in dual-band mode.

The GR12 supports OFDMA, a WiFi 6 feature that handles crowded networks by dividing the channel into smaller resource units.

MU-MIMO and Beamforming are also supported, but you'll need compatible client devices to see these features in action.

The GR12 can inter-connect with multiple other compatible access points to form a mesh network, but be aware that only Meraki Go APs can be used.

Here are some key WiFi features of the Meraki Go GR12:

The Meraki Go GR12 is one of the smaller WiFi 6 access points on the market, measuring 7.95 x 5.55 x 1.02 inches (20.2 x 14.1 x 2.6 cm).

It's rectangular in shape, a departure from the usual circular design, which makes it easy to mount on the wall or leave on a desk.

This flexibility in placement is thanks to the inclusion of mounting holes and four silicone feet, allowing you to position the device in various ways.

The case is made of plastic, but the manufacturer didn't skimp on thermal management - a metallic piece inside disperses heat away from the main chipsets, keeping the case warm but not hot to the touch.

I was able to verify this by taking a thermal photo, which showed an acceptable temperature level.

You'll also notice a recessed area at the bottom of the case for the Ethernet port, which supports PoE (802.3af) and is a Gigabit port.

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Next to it, there's a 12V power port, providing an alternative to powering the device via a PoE switch.

A recessed Reset button is also included, making it easy to return the device to its default factory settings.

The Meraki Go GR12 is an indoors-only WiFi 6 access point, so you won't find any silicone covers or seals, or an IP rating.

The internal hardware of the Meraki Go GR12 is quite interesting. It uses unconventional screws that may require a bit of force to remove, but don't worry, it's worth it.

The top cover comes off easily, revealing a metallic piece for heat dissipation, which is a great design choice. On the bottom part, you'll find the PCB, or printed circuit board.

The Meraki Go GR12 has three antennas: two for the 2.4GHz and 5GHz radio bands, and one for Bluetooth version 4.4. This setup is a bit unusual, but it seems to work well, with the PCB connecting directly to one antenna.

Ethernet Ports are a type of network interface that allows devices to connect to a local area network (LAN).

They typically come in two types: RJ-45 and TIA-568, with RJ-45 being the most common.

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Most internal hardware components have a specific operating temperature range, which is crucial for their performance and longevity. This range can vary from -40°C to 85°C for some components.

For example, the CPU can throttle its performance or even shut down if it gets too hot, usually above 85°C.

Some components, like the RAM, can operate within a narrower temperature range, typically between 0°C and 80°C.

The motherboard's operating temperature range is also important, as it can affect the system's overall performance and stability.

In general, it's essential to ensure that your computer's internal temperature stays within the recommended range to prevent damage to the components and ensure optimal performance.

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The Meraki Go GR12's internal hardware is quite interesting.

The device has unconventional screws that require a bit of force to remove, even with a straight screwdriver.

Cisco has done away with warranty voiding seals, which is a plus for DIY enthusiasts.

The top cover comes off to reveal a metallic piece for heat dissipation, and underneath, you'll find the PCB.

Three antennas are used for the 2.4GHz, 5GHz radio bands, and Bluetooth 4.4.

The PCB connects directly to one of the antennas, and there's a second heat dissipating metallic piece attached to the bottom plastic part of the case.

For WiFi, the Meraki Go GR12 uses Qualcomm QCN5152 and QCN5121 chips for the 5GHz and 2.4GHz radio bands, respectively.

This access point doesn't have thermal glue paste, which is a nice touch.

The Meraki Go GR12 has some impressive specs, but let's dive into the details. The GR12 has a quad-core 1GHz Qualcomm IPQ6010 CPU, which is the same as the EnGenius ECW220S.

In terms of memory, the GR12 has 1GB of RAM, while the EnGenius ECW220S has half that amount at 512MB. The TP-Link EAP610 and Ubiquiti U6-Pro have even less, with 256MB and 1GB of RAM respectively.

Here's a quick comparison of the specs:

I personally chose to use the Zyxel XS1930-12HP switch, which had more than enough power for the GR12.

The Meraki Go GR12 and GR62 access points are a significant upgrade from their predecessors, offering speeds up to three times faster and twice the capacity.

They're powered by Cisco technology, which means you get built-in enterprise-level security and automatic firmware updates to keep your network secure.

Setting up these access points is a breeze, taking under 10 minutes and requiring nothing more than scanning a QR code using the Meraki Go app.

Both the GR12 and GR62 can handle up to 100 connected devices simultaneously without dropping speed, making them perfect for busy businesses with a lot of customers.

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The GR62 outdoor access point is also IP67-rated, so it can withstand harsh environments and foul weather.

One of the coolest features of these access points is their ability to automatically update their firmware and apply security updates, so you don't have to worry about a thing.

They also utilise Wi-Fi 6's Target Wake Time (TWT) feature, which saves power and lengthens battery life on connected devices like smartphones and tablets.

Both access points can wirelessly mesh with other Meraki Go access points to extend Wi-Fi coverage with all points using the same SSID.

The Meraki Go app and web portal make it easy to customise your network and get insights on business and guest usage, including real-time network usage and foot traffic.

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Let's take a closer look at the Meraki Go GR12 and three other Wi-Fi access point options. The Meraki Go GR12 has a quad-core 1GHz Qualcomm IPQ6010 CPU, which is also found in the EnGenius ECW220S.

The Meraki Go GR12 has 1GB of SK Hynix RAM, while the EnGenius ECW220S has 512MB of Samsung RAM. The TP-Link EAP610 has a more powerful quad-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm IPQ6000 CPU.

The Meraki Go GR12 has a 256MB Spansion MS02G2 storage, while the EnGenius ECW220S has a 128MB MXIC X205107 MX30UF1G18AC-XKI storage. The Ubiquiti U6-Pro has 4GB of Mouser Electronics storage.

Here's a comparison of the four access points' CPUs:

The Meraki Go GR12 has a single Ethernet port, so it's likely you'll need to connect it to a switch, like the Zyxel XS1930-12HP, which also powers the access point.

The Meraki Go GR12 supports WiFi 6 features like OFDMA, which helps handle crowded networks by transmitting data across multiple sub-carries. This is a great way to ensure a reliable WiFi connection, especially in areas with many devices.

MU-MIMO and Beamforming are also present, but you'll need compatible client devices to see these features in action. The Meraki Go GR12 can inter-connect with multiple other compatible access points to form a mesh network, but you can only use Meraki Go APs and not combine them with Cisco Meraki access points.

The access point's omni-directional antennas have a 5.6dBi gain for the 2.4GHz radio and a 5.3dBi gain for the 5GHz radio band. This can help improve signal strength and reduce interference.

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Channel Width is an important factor in WiFi performance. The device supports 20/40 MHz channel width on the 2.4 GHz frequency band.

This allows for a good balance between range and speed. You can use this channel width for most everyday activities like browsing the web and checking email.

The device also supports 20/40/80 MHz channel width on the 5 GHz frequency band. This provides even faster speeds and is ideal for applications that require a lot of bandwidth, such as online gaming and video streaming.

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The Meraki Go GR12 supports OFDMA, a feature that helps handle crowded networks by transmitting data across multiple sub-carries.

This feature is particularly useful in areas with many devices connected to the same network, and it can help ensure a reliable connection.

However, OFDMA is only used when there are compatible client devices and when the network is severely crowded, making it a last resort.

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Unfortunately, there's no setting to enable or disable OFDMA on both bands, so you'll need to rely on the device's default settings.

MU-MIMO and Beamforming are also present on the Meraki Go GR12, but you'll need to use compatible client devices to take advantage of these features.

The Meraki Go GR12 can also inter-connect with multiple other compatible access points to form a mesh network.

However, it's worth noting that you can only use Meraki Go APs together, and they can't be combined with Cisco Meraki access points.

The omni-directional antennas on the Meraki Go GR12 have a 5.6dBi gain for the 2.4GHz radio and a 5.3dBi gain for the 5GHz radio band.

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The 5GHz wireless test was conducted with a WiFi 6 laptop (AX200) and two WiFi 5 client devices, including an Intel 8265 laptop and a Pixel 2 XL phone. At 5 feet from the access point, the WiFi 6 laptop achieved an average of 791Mbps upstream and 438Mbps downstream.

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The attenuation was -44dB, which isn't great considering the distance. Moving farther from the access point, the throughput remained usable at 45 feet, with 110Mbps upstream and 45.9Mbps downstream.

The WiFi 5 laptop with an Intel 8265 performed similarly at 30 feet, with 267Mbps upstream and at 45 feet, with 131Mbps upstream. However, at 5 feet, it was slower, reaching 698Mbps upstream and 207Mbps downstream.

At 70 feet, the signal strength was too weak, resulting in 11.5Mbps upstream and 2.2Mbps downstream for the WiFi 6 laptop, and 6Mbps upstream and 1.6Mbps downstream for the WiFi 5 laptop. This is not suitable for most applications or services.

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The Meraki Go GR12 access points are built for business with an easy-to-use app for everyone.

OFDMA is a great way to handle crowded networks, ensuring more data is transmitted across multiple sub-carries without using the entire channel for the transmission.

MU-MIMO and Beamforming are present in the Meraki Go GR12, but you need to use compatible client devices to see these features in action.

The Meraki Go GR12 can inter-connect with multiple other compatible access points to form a mesh network, but you can only use Meraki Go APs and they can't be combined with Cisco Meraki access points.

Omni-directional antennas on the Meraki Go GR12 have a 5.6dBi gain for the 2.4GHz radio and a 5.3dBi gain for the 5GHz radio band.

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The Meraki Go Indoor Wi-Fi 6 Access Point has its share of advantages and disadvantages.

One notable con is the awkwardness that comes with installing the access point, particularly when dealing with software issues. This can be frustrating for some users.

Another drawback is that the advanced features of the access point are not as impressive as one might expect. They don't live up to the promise of being truly advanced.

Here are some specific cons to consider:

The device has some great features that make it a strong contender. It supports WiFi 6, which is the latest wireless standard.

One of the key benefits of WiFi 6 is its ability to handle multiple devices at once, thanks to features like OFDMA and TWT. These technologies allow for more efficient use of bandwidth, resulting in faster speeds and better performance.

The device also has decent wireless performance, making it suitable for a variety of applications. This is especially important for users who need to stream video or play online games.

In addition to its wireless capabilities, the device also offers advanced features like NAT and Bridge wireless address translation mode. This allows for more flexibility in setting up and configuring the device.

The device is also secure, with support for WPA3, which is the latest encryption standard. This provides an extra layer of protection for users who need to transmit sensitive data.

Finally, the device supports mesh networking and PoE, which can be useful for users who need to set up a large network or want to power devices over Ethernet.

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Some users may experience awkwardness when installing the access point, particularly with the software.

The advanced features of Meraki Go devices may not live up to their name, and some users might find them lacking in depth.

Installing multiple types of Meraki Go devices can be tricky, as there is no actual platform controller to manage them.

Here are some specific cons to consider:

To set up your own Meraki Go network, you'll need to know what devices are required.

You can find out what devices you'll need by checking the management options for Meraki Go.

Setting up your own network can be a straightforward process, but it's essential to have the right equipment to ensure a reliable and secure connection.

To set up your own Meraki Go network, you'll need to determine what devices you'll need to get started.

The Meraki Go network requires specific devices to function properly.

You can find out what devices are necessary by checking the information provided in the "Management Options" section of the Meraki Go documentation.

When it comes to determining the right number of clients for your wireless network, it's essential to consider the recommended client-to-access-point ratio.

The general rule of thumb is to have one access point per 50 clients or 500 square feet. This ensures a strong and reliable connection for all users.

Meraki Go's access points are designed to be easy to set up, even for small businesses without an IT department.

The GR12 indoor access point is a great option for businesses with limited space, while the GR62 outdoor access point is ideal for businesses with outdoor seating like cafes or restaurants.

The GR62 outdoor access point is IP67-rated, making it resistant to harsh environments and foul weather.

Both access points can handle up to 100 connected devices simultaneously without dropping speed.

You can set up Meraki Go's access points in under 10 minutes by scanning a QR code using the Meraki Go smartphone app.

There are no monthly subscription or licensing fees to pay, making Meraki Go a cost-effective solution for small businesses.

The Meraki Go app and web portal provide easy customization and key insights on business and guest usage, helping you make informed decisions about your network.

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