Cisco Meraki MX250

Basic Information

The Cisco Meraki MX250 is an enterprise-grade cloud-managed security and SD-WAN appliance. It functions as an integrated router, next-generation firewall, traffic shaper, and Internet gateway, designed for distributed networks, large branches, campuses, or datacenter VPN concentration.

• Model: MX250-HW
• Version: Not applicable; functionality is delivered via cloud-managed firmware.
• Release Date: Specific release date is not publicly detailed, but the product is actively supported and sold.
• Minimum Requirements: Requires an active Cisco Meraki license and internet connectivity for cloud management.
• Supported Operating Systems: Management is performed via the web-based Meraki Dashboard, accessible from any modern web browser on various operating systems. The appliance itself runs a proprietary Meraki OS.
• Latest Stable Version: Firmware updates are automatically managed and pushed from the Meraki cloud, ensuring the device runs the latest stable version without manual intervention.
• End of Support Date: Tied to the active license term. Support, including firmware updates, ceases without a valid license.
• End of Life Date: Not publicly specified for current models; typically announced well in advance by Cisco.
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Auto-updates are contingent on an active Meraki license. Updates cease upon license expiration.
• License Type: Subscription-based. Options include Enterprise, Advanced Security, and Secure SD-WAN Plus, available in terms of 1, 3, 5, 7, or 10 years.
• Deployment Model: Cloud-managed. Zero-touch provisioning allows for remote deployment and management through the Meraki Dashboard.

Technical Specifications

The MX250 is a 1U rack-mountable appliance designed for high-performance network security and connectivity.

• Processor: Specific processor details are not publicly disclosed, as performance is measured by throughput metrics.
• RAM: Specific RAM details are not publicly disclosed.
• Storage: Includes 128GB SSD cache storage.
• Display: Status indicators via LEDs on the front panel.
• Ports:
  • WAN: 2x 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ ports.
  • LAN: 8x 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ ports, 8x 1 Gigabit Ethernet SFP ports, 8x 1 Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 ports.
  • Management: 1x RJ45 Management Interface.
  • USB: 1x USB port for 3G/4G cellular failover (requires approved modem).
• Operating System: Proprietary Meraki OS.
• Dimensions (H x D x W): 1.75" x 17.3" x 19" (44 mm x 440 mm x 483 mm).
• Weight: Approximately 16 lb (7.3 kg) or 8.55 kg.

Analysis of Technical Specifications

The Cisco Meraki MX250 offers robust connectivity options with multiple 10 Gigabit SFP+ ports for both WAN and LAN, alongside Gigabit SFP and RJ45 ports. This extensive port configuration provides significant flexibility for high-speed fiber and copper deployments in large campus or data center environments. The inclusion of dual hot-swappable power supplies and fans ensures high availability and redundancy, critical for enterprise operations. The 128GB SSD cache enhances performance for web caching and other functions. While specific CPU and RAM details are not provided, the appliance's performance is quantified by its high throughput capabilities, indicating a powerful underlying hardware architecture optimized for network security tasks. The rack-mountable form factor is standard for enterprise network equipment.

Support & Compatibility

The Cisco Meraki MX250 operates within the Meraki cloud ecosystem, leveraging centralized management and support.

• Latest Version: Firmware is automatically updated via the Meraki cloud.
• OS Support: Management is via the web-based Meraki Dashboard, compatible with standard web browsers across various operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux, mobile OS).
• End of Support Date: Support is tied to the active subscription license. Upon license expiration, cloud management, firmware updates, and technical support cease.
• Localization: The Meraki Dashboard supports multiple languages for global usability.
• Available Drivers: Not applicable for a network appliance; functionality is embedded in the Meraki OS and managed via the cloud.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

The MX250 benefits from Cisco Meraki's cloud-managed model, which simplifies support and compatibility. Automatic firmware updates ensure the device always runs the latest software with the newest features and security patches, reducing administrative overhead. The subscription-based licensing model includes 24x7 enterprise support and a lifetime hardware warranty with next-day advanced replacement, providing comprehensive coverage. This model ensures continuous access to critical services and hardware replacement, which is a significant advantage for maintaining network uptime. The web-based dashboard offers broad compatibility for management across different client operating systems.

Security Status

The Cisco Meraki MX250 is a security appliance offering a comprehensive suite of security features.

• Security Features:
  • Stateful Firewall.
  • Next-Generation Firewall (Layer 7 application visibility and control).
  • Intrusion Detection & Prevention (IDS/IPS) using Cisco SNORT® engine.
  • Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) powered by Cisco AMP engine.
  • Content Filtering (CIPA-compliant, Google SafeSearch, YouTube for Schools).
  • Web Search Filtering.
  • Geo-IP based Firewalling.
  • Auto VPN for self-configuring site-to-site VPNs (IKE/IPsec).
  • Client VPN (L2TP/IPsec for Windows, Mac OS X, iPad, Android).
  • Identity-based policies and Active Directory integration.
  • Layer 7 traffic shaping and application prioritization.
  • 802.1x port authentication for wired devices.
  • WAN failover and 3G/4G cellular failover support.
• Known Vulnerabilities: Cisco Meraki regularly releases firmware updates to address any identified vulnerabilities, delivered automatically via the cloud. Specific public lists of vulnerabilities for the MX250 are not typically provided by the manufacturer in marketing materials.
• Blacklist Status: Not applicable to the appliance itself. Security features include threat intelligence from Cisco Threat Grid and Webroot BrightCloud for URL categorization.
• Certifications: Meraki datacenters are SAS70 Type II certified and PCI Level 1 certified.
• Encryption Support:
  • VPN: 128-bit AES encryption for Auto VPN (IPsec).
  • Wireless (Meraki ecosystem): WPA2-Enterprise with 802.1X authentication, supporting AES encryption.
• Authentication Methods:
  • Meraki Dashboard: Username/password with optional two-factor authentication (SMS-based).
  • VPN: IPsec.
  • Network Access: 802.1x port authentication, Active Directory integration.
• General Recommendations: Utilize the Advanced Security or Secure SD-WAN Plus licenses to enable full threat protection features like IDS/IPS and AMP. Implement two-factor authentication for dashboard access.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating

The Cisco Meraki MX250 provides a high level of security, functioning as a Unified Threat Management (UTM) solution. Its cloud-managed architecture ensures that security signatures and threat intelligence are continuously updated, offering protection against evolving threats without manual intervention. The integration of industry-leading security engines like SNORT® for IPS and Cisco AMP for malware protection, combined with robust firewalling and VPN capabilities, makes it suitable for securing large enterprise networks. The availability of different license tiers allows organizations to scale their security posture based on their specific needs, from basic firewalling to advanced threat defense and SD-WAN security. Two-factor authentication for management access further strengthens administrative security.

Performance & Benchmarks

The Cisco Meraki MX250 is engineered for high performance in demanding enterprise environments.

• Benchmark Scores:
  • Maximum NAT Firewall Throughput: Up to 7.5 Gbps.
  • Maximum Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) Throughput: 2 Gbps.
  • Maximum Site-to-Site VPN Throughput: 4 Gbps.
  • Maximum Advanced Security Throughput (with IDS/IPS, AMP): 3 Gbps.
• Real-world Performance Metrics:
  • Recommended maximum clients/devices: Up to 2,000.
  • Supports high-speed 10G SFP+ WAN and LAN connectivity.
  • SD-WAN capabilities with dynamic path selection for optimized application performance.
• Power Consumption:
  • Idle: 105W.
  • Maximum: 190W.
• Carbon Footprint: Not publicly available.
• Comparison with Similar Assets:
  • The MX250 offers lower throughput than the MX450 (e.g., MX450 NAT firewall throughput is 10 Gbps, NGFW is 5 Gbps, VPN is 6.5 Gbps, Advanced Security is 7 Gbps, and supports up to 10,000 clients).
  • It is positioned for large campus environments or as a VPN concentrator for large VPN topologies, offering higher performance than smaller MX models.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status

The Cisco Meraki MX250 delivers strong performance metrics, particularly its 7.5 Gbps NAT firewall throughput and 4 Gbps VPN throughput, making it well-suited for large branch offices, campus networks, or as a VPN concentrator. Its ability to handle up to 2,000 clients with advanced security features enabled at 3 Gbps throughput demonstrates its capacity for demanding enterprise workloads. The appliance's multi-gigabit interfaces (10G SFP+) ensure it can support high-bandwidth requirements. Power consumption is reasonable for an appliance of its class, especially considering its redundant power supplies. While not the highest-end Meraki MX appliance (the MX450 surpasses it), the MX250 strikes a balance between performance, features, and cost-effectiveness for its target deployment scenarios.

User Reviews & Feedback

User feedback for the Cisco Meraki MX250 generally highlights its ease of deployment, comprehensive feature set, and the benefits of cloud management.

• Strengths:
  • Ease of Management: The cloud-based Meraki Dashboard is frequently praised for its intuitive interface, simplifying configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting across multiple sites.
  • Zero-Touch Provisioning: This feature allows for rapid deployment in remote locations without requiring on-site IT expertise.
  • Integrated Feature Set: Users appreciate the all-in-one nature, consolidating routing, firewall, SD-WAN, and advanced security services into a single appliance, reducing complexity and cost.
  • Automatic Updates: Cloud-managed firmware and security signature updates are a significant advantage, ensuring continuous protection and access to new features.
  • High Availability: Redundant power supplies and the ability to configure warm-spare pairs are valued for maintaining network uptime.
  • Scalability: Suitable for growing organizations, offering robust performance for up to 2,000 users.
• Weaknesses:
  • Subscription Model: The mandatory subscription license, while providing comprehensive support and features, represents an ongoing operational cost that some users may find restrictive if not budgeted appropriately.
  • Dependency on Cloud: While a strength for management, a complete loss of internet connectivity can impact certain cloud-dependent features or management capabilities, though the appliance continues to forward traffic.
  • Cost: The initial hardware cost combined with recurring license fees can be a significant investment.
• Recommended Use Cases:
  • Head offices or large branch offices requiring multi-gigabit threat protection and SD-WAN capabilities.
  • Regional hubs acting as secure VPN concentrators for numerous remote and branch sites.
  • Organizations migrating applications to the cloud that require application-aware traffic shaping and optimization.
  • Enterprises seeking a unified threat management (UTM) solution for distributed sites.

Vulnerabilities

• CVE-2025-20212
  Published: 2025-04-02 - Updated: 2025-04-07 - CVSS: 7.7 - EPSS: 0.14%
  A vulnerability in the Cisco AnyConnect VPN server of Cisco Meraki MX and Cisco Meraki Z Series devices could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition in the Cisco AnyConnect service on an affected device. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid VPN user credentials on the affected device.
• This vulnerability exists because a variable is not initialized when an SSL VPN session is established. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by supplying crafted attributes while establishing an SSL VPN session with an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause the Cisco AnyConnect VPN server to restart, resulting in the failure of the established SSL VPN sessions and forcing remote users to initiate a new VPN connection and reauthenticate. A sustained attack could prevent new SSL VPN connections from being established.
  Published: - Updated: - CVSS: - EPSS:
  
• Note: When the attack traffic stops, the Cisco AnyConnect VPN server recovers without manual intervention.
  Published: - Updated: - CVSS: - EPSS:
  
• CVE-2024-20513
  Published: 2024-10-02 - Updated: 2025-06-04 - CVSS: 5.8 - EPSS: 0.30%
  A vulnerability in the Cisco AnyConnect VPN server of Cisco Meraki MX and Cisco Meraki Z Series Teleworker Gateway devices could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a DoS condition for targeted users of the AnyConnect service on an affected device.
• This vulnerability is due to insufficient entropy for handlers that are used during SSL VPN session establishment. An unauthenticated attacker could exploit this vulnerability by brute forcing valid session handlers. An authenticated attacker could exploit this vulnerability by connecting to the AnyConnect VPN service of an affected device to retrieve a valid session handler and, based on that handler, predict further valid session handlers. The attacker would then send a crafted HTTPS request using the brute-forced or predicted session handler to the AnyConnect VPN server of the device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to terminate targeted SSL VPN sessions, forcing remote users to initiate new VPN connections and reauthenticate.
  Published: - Updated: - CVSS: - EPSS:
  

View more

Summary

The Cisco Meraki MX250 is a powerful and versatile cloud-managed security and SD-WAN appliance designed for demanding enterprise environments, particularly large branch offices, campuses, and as a VPN concentrator. Its primary strength lies in its comprehensive integration of routing, next-generation firewall, SD-WAN, and advanced security features, all managed through an intuitive web-based dashboard. This cloud-centric approach enables zero-touch provisioning, automatic firmware updates, and simplified remote management, significantly reducing operational complexity and the need for specialized on-site IT staff.

Technically, the MX250 offers impressive throughputs, including up to 7.5 Gbps for stateful firewall and 4 Gbps for site-to-site VPN, supporting up to 2,000 clients. Its extensive port configuration, featuring multiple 10 Gigabit SFP+ interfaces, provides high-speed connectivity and flexibility for diverse network architectures. Redundant power supplies further enhance its reliability. From a security standpoint, the MX250 integrates robust features like SNORT®-based IDS/IPS, Cisco AMP, content filtering, and geo-IP firewalling, ensuring a strong defense against modern threats, continuously updated via the cloud.

The main weakness identified is the mandatory subscription licensing model, which, while providing extensive support and features, represents a continuous operational expenditure. However, this model also guarantees 24x7 support, lifetime hardware warranty with next-day replacement, and perpetual access to the latest software and security intelligence. Overall, the MX250 is an excellent choice for organizations prioritizing ease of management, comprehensive security, and high performance in a scalable, cloud-managed solution for their distributed networks.

The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.