Enterprise Networking: Meraki 802.11n MR16 AP Delivers Better Range with Smaller Footprint and Price

Meraki 802.11n MR16 AP Delivers Better Range with Smaller Footprint and Price

by Andrew Garcia

Meraki MR16

The MR16 has a 2-by-2 MIMO configuration, with two 802.11n radios.

Power

The MR16 offers an 802.3af-compliant, gigabit Power over Ethernet adapter, plus a DC power port that didn't exist in previous models.

Size Comparison

The MR16 (left) is much smaller than the older MR14 (right). The MR16 measures in at 7.3 by 5.8 by 1.0 inches and 17 ounces, whereas the old MR14 is 18.5 by 6.6 by 1.7 inches and 27 ounces.

Mainboard

To save space inside the AP, Meraki consolidated down to a single board in the MR16.

MR14 Inside

By contrast, the older model-the MR14-had three distinct elements inside.

5GHz Bandwidth Comparison

In the AirMagnet Survey PRO 8.0 iPerf tests, the MR14 (left) showed consistently lower total download performance than the MR16 (right).

5GHz PHY Assessment

At left the MR14 delivers lesser PHY data rates throughout the office than the MR16 (right).

2.4GHz iPerf Comparison

The download performance difference between the MR14 (left) and MR16 (right) were less pronounced in the 2.4GHz band.

Meraki 802.11n MR16 AP Delivers Better Range with Smaller Footprint and Price - Page 10