# Meraki MG cellular gateway SIM cards, tested with ThingSIM

> Meraki MG cellular gateways give an MX security appliance or any network a mobile uplink, managed from the Meraki Dashboard. A ThingSIM goes in the gateway and the APN is set in the Dashboard.

## Setting up a ThingSIM in the Meraki Dashboard

The APN goes in **Cellular Gateway → Cellular Gateways → the MG → Uplink → Configuration**.

1. Activate the SIM in the ThingSIM portal, insert it in SIM1 and power the gateway.
2. In the Meraki Dashboard go to Cellular Gateway → Cellular Gateways and select the MG.
3. Open the Uplink tab, scroll to Configuration and click edit.
4. Enter the APN from the portal with IP type IPv4 and Authentication None, leave the username and password blank, and save.
5. If the gateway has never been online, set the same values on its local status page under Configure → Cellular Settings (override the SIM1 data session).
6. The Uplink tab then shows the SIM connected, with carrier and signal.

**Two SIMs:** MGs hold two SIMs, one active at a time. SIM1 is primary by default and SIM failover is switched on or off on the Uplink tab. On the MG52 each slot, including eSIM, is set as primary, secondary or not in use.

**Checking it works:** The Uplink tab in the Dashboard shows signal, carrier and usage over time; the local status page shows the same on site.

## MG Cellular Gateway

- **MG52**: Failover router, 5G SA, 2 SIM slots + eSIM. Cloud-managed IP67 5G gateway for branch primary/campus WAN.
- **MG21**: Failover router, 4G LTE-A Cat 6, 1 SIM slot. Branch LTE failover for Meraki MX networks.
- **MG52E**: Failover router, 5G SA, 2 SIM slots + eSIM. MG52 with external antennas.
- **MG41**: Failover router, 4G LTE-A Pro Cat 18, 2 SIM slots. Critical failover or primary LTE for branches, pop-ups, emergency services.
- **MG21E**: Failover router, 4G LTE-A Cat 6, 1 SIM slot. MG21 with external antennas.
- **MG41E**: Failover router, 4G LTE-A Pro Cat 18, 2 SIM slots. MG41 with external antennas.
- **MG51** (no longer sold): Failover router, 5G NSA, 2 SIM slots. Cloud-managed 5G gateway for branch primary WAN.
- **MG51E** (no longer sold): Failover router, 5G NSA, 2 SIM slots. MG51 with external antennas.

## Questions

### Does a ThingSIM work in a Meraki MG41?

Yes. Insert the SIM, set the APN from the portal for that SIM slot in the Meraki Dashboard, and the gateway connects as a cellular uplink.

### Which plan suits a Meraki backup uplink?

A gateway that only carries traffic during an outage usually fits in 1 GB or 5 GB a month. 5 GB on UK 4-network is £8.85 a month.

Suggested plan: 5 GB, UK 4-network, £8.85 a month per active SIM, ex VAT.

Source: https://thingsim.com/devices/cisco-meraki