Cisco or Meraki licensing? The choice is yours!

Cisco or Meraki licensing? The choice is yours!

Cisco and Meraki have introduced a new dual‑licensing era for wireless access points — combining Cisco’s traditional DNA licensing with Meraki’s cloud‑first subscription model. This shift is part of Cisco’s broader 2026 strategy to unify hardware platforms while giving customers flexibility in how they manage and license their networks.

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Cisco & Meraki Dual Licensing for Wireless Access Points (2026 Update)

Cisco’s wireless portfolio has been converging for years, but 2026 marks the first time customers can deploy the same access point hardware using either Cisco Catalyst (DNA Center) licensing or Meraki cloud subscription licensing. This dual‑licensing approach gives organisations unprecedented choice in how they operate their wireless networks — without being locked into a single management ecosystem.

Why Dual Licensing Exists

Cisco’s strategy is to unify hardware across Catalyst and Meraki while allowing customers to choose the operational model that fits their environment. This aligns with Cisco’s shift toward subscription‑based licensing, including the Meraki Subscription Licensing model introduced globally for new and renewing customers. 

The result:One AP platform. Two management ecosystems. Multiple licensing paths.

How Dual Licensing Works

Modern Cisco/Meraki APs — particularly the Wi‑Fi 6E and Wi‑Fi 7 Catalyst Wireless (CW) series — can be onboarded into either:

1. Meraki Cloud Management

Using Meraki Subscription Licensing, which provides:

  • Amber Mode (no shutdown if a licence lapses)
  • Flexible billing (monthly, quarterly, annual, prepaid)
  • Simplified SKUs
  • Auto‑renewal
  • Network‑level subscription management

Meraki APs require a single licence type (Enterprise, Advanced, or Upgrade), available in 1–10 year terms. 

2. Cisco Catalyst Management (DNA Center / Catalyst Center)

Using Cisco DNA licensing, typically:

  • DNA Essentials
  • DNA Advantage

This model is still used for traditional Catalyst deployments where customers want deep CLI control, advanced telemetry, or integration with Catalyst Center automation.

Supported Access Points

Cisco’s new Wi‑Fi 7 Catalyst Wireless (CW) series — such as the CW9172, CW9174, CW9176, CW9178, and CW9179 — are designed for this dual‑persona capability. They can operate as either:

  • Catalyst APs (IOS‑XE + DNA licensing), or
  • Meraki APs (Meraki cloud + subscription licensing)

These models share hardware but load different software personas depending on the chosen ecosystem. 

Licensing Models in Detail

Meraki Subscription Licensing (New Standard)

  • Default for new Meraki organisations
  • Replaces Per‑Device Licensing for new customers
  • Cannot be mixed with other Meraki licensing models
  • Provides resilience via Amber Mode

Meraki Co‑Term Licensing (Legacy but still supported)

  • One expiry date for all devices
  • Weighted average calculation

Cisco DNA Licensing (Catalyst Mode)

  • Required when running APs in Catalyst persona
  • Tied to Catalyst Center features (automation, assurance, telemetry)
Why Dual Licensing Matters

1. Investment Protection

Customers can buy a single AP model and decide later whether it will run in Meraki or Catalyst mode.

2. Flexible Migration Paths

Organisations can:

  • Start with Catalyst and migrate to Meraki
  • Start with Meraki and move to Catalyst
  • Run hybrid environments during transition periods

3. Simplified Procurement

One hardware SKU supports multiple operational models.

4. Cloud‑First Future

Cisco is clearly positioning Meraki Subscription Licensing as the long‑term direction for cloud‑managed wireless. 

Practical Example: A Dual‑Licensed Deployment

A retailer with 300 stores can:

  • Use Meraki cloud management for remote sites (simple ops, low IT overhead)
  • Use Catalyst Center for HQ and distribution centres (deep control, automation)
  • Deploy the same CW9174 AP model everywhere
  • Apply Meraki licences to some APs and DNA licences to others

This reduces hardware fragmentation and simplifies lifecycle management.


Conclusion

Cisco’s new dual‑licensing model for wireless access points is one of the most significant changes in the company’s wireless strategy in a decade. By allowing the same AP hardware to run either Meraki or Catalyst software — and by modernising Meraki licensing into a subscription‑first model — Cisco gives customers more flexibility, more resilience, and a clearer path toward cloud‑managed networking.

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