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Cisco Networking + Meraki: What’s New & Why It Matters

Team Hypershift · March 25, 2026

Cisco has consolidated its traditional product families into a single identity: Cisco Networking. This strategic shift merges Catalyst's enterprise capabilities with Meraki's approachable, cloud-based management approach.

One Cisco Networking Brand

Cisco is unifying Meraki and Catalyst under one brand — Cisco Networking — powered by a single cloud-managed experience. The familiar Meraki Dashboard remains the cornerstone, expanding its reach beyond access points and switches to become the primary control center for multi-domain networking.

Cloud Meets CLI

In the past, IT teams had to choose between Cloud Mode (Meraki) or Device Mode (Catalyst CLI). Cisco's new unified operating experience eliminates that choice. Upcoming releases will let administrators manage devices through the Dashboard and still access full read/write CLI — all synced to a single configuration source of truth.

Streamlined, Non-Disruptive Upgrades

Modernizing to cloud-managed IOS XE used to mean risk. Cisco has removed much of that friction with new, non-disruptive upgrade options, including:

  • Seamless transitions from Meraki firmware to IOS XE
  • Pre-flight checks and validation in the Dashboard
  • Recommended stable releases and clear upgrade guidance

Advanced Routing Arrives in the Dashboard

The Dashboard now supports enterprise routing features once limited to IOS XE, including:

  • BGP for complex path control
  • VRFs for structured segmentation
  • True Layer-3 interfaces and routed ports

Hypershield and Smart Switches Reshape Security

Cisco's Hypershield, powered by Cisco Silicon One smart switches, enables each port to function as a Layer 4 enforcement point, shifting security from the perimeter into the network itself. Support for post-quantum cryptography aligns with Cisco's long-term secure networking roadmap.

AI Takes Center Stage

AI is woven throughout the new Cisco experience:

  • AI-driven Radio Resource Management that automatically adapts to interference patterns
  • Natural-language troubleshooting that guides admins through changes and upgrades
  • Integrated ThousandEyes analytics connecting latency and packet loss data with application performance

Converged Routing and Security

Cisco is narrowing the gap between Meraki MX appliances and Cisco 8000 Series routers through unified policy frameworks, shared telemetry, and support for third-party firewall policy pushes.

Hybrid Mesh Firewalling: A Unified Security Fabric

Cisco's Hybrid Mesh Firewall treats every switch, router, and firewall as part of an adaptive enforcement mesh controlled through Cisco Security Cloud, delivering consistent identity-based policy and end-to-end encryption.

The Big Picture

Cisco's strategy prioritizes making enterprise-grade networking approachable and cloud-first, extending AI into real operational control, and pushing security and automation deeper into the fabric.