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Switch Alternate Management Interface Configuration

Dashboard Location: Network-wide > Configure > General

Network Management Interface Isolation

Switch alternate management interface configuration in Meraki networks provides network administrators with the capability to isolate management traffic from user data traffic by designating a specific VLAN for network management protocols. This functionality enables enhanced security through network segmentation, improved network monitoring capabilities, and centralized management traffic control across distributed switch deployments. The alternate management interface supports protocols including RADIUS authentication, SNMP monitoring, Syslog reporting, and other critical network management functions while maintaining operational isolation from production traffic.

Diagram

Diagram

Classes

switch (meraki.domains.organizations.networks)

NameTypeConstraintMandatoryDefault Value
alternate_management_interfaceClass[alternate_management_interface]No

alternate_management_interface (meraki.domains.organizations.networks.switch)

NameTypeConstraintMandatoryDefault Value
enabledBooleantrue, falseNo
vlan_idAnyInteger[min: 1, max: 4094] or String[matches: `(?:[1-9][1-9][0-9][1-9][0-9]2
protocolsListChoice[radius, snmp, syslog]No
switchesList[switches]No

switches (meraki.domains.organizations.networks.switch.alternate_management_interface)

NameTypeConstraintMandatoryDefault Value
alternate_management_ipIPYes
subnet_maskStringRegex: ^(255|254|252|248|240|224|192|128|0+)(\.0|\.128|\.192|\.224|\.240|\.248|\.252|\.254|\.255){0,3}$No
gatewayIPNo
deviceAnyString[matches: ^[A-Z0-9]{4}-[A-Z0-9]{4}-[A-Z0-9]{4}$] or String[min: 1, max: 127]Yes

Examples

Example-1: The example below demonstrates switch alternate management interface configuration using tested YAML configuration from pipeline fixtures.

meraki:
domains:
- name: "!env domain"
administrator:
name: "!env org_admin"
organizations:
- name: "!env org"
networks:
- name: "!env network_name"
product_types:
- appliance
- switch
- wireless
- camera
- sensor
- cellularGateway
switch:
alternate_management_interface:
enabled: false
protocols: ["radius", "snmp", "syslog"]
vlan_id: 100

Example-3: The example below demonstrates selective protocol management for specific network monitoring requirements.

meraki:
domains:
- name: "!env domain"
administrator:
name: "!env org_admin"
organizations:
- name: "!env org"
networks:
- name: "Selective-Management-Network"
product_types:
- switch
- appliance
- wireless
switch:
alternate_management_interface:
# Enable selective management isolation
enabled: true
# Only isolate authentication and monitoring
protocols: [
"radius",
"snmp"
]
# Management VLAN for monitoring traffic
vlan_id: "!env monitoring_vlan_id"

Configuration Parameters

ParameterTypeRequiredDescription
alternate_management_interfaceObjectNoAlternate management interface configuration
alternate_management_interface.enabledBooleanYesEnable/disable alternate management interface
alternate_management_interface.protocolsArrayConditionalProtocols to route through alternate interface (required if enabled)
alternate_management_interface.vlan_idIntegerConditionalVLAN ID for management traffic (required if enabled)

Supported Management Protocols

ProtocolPurposeDefault InterfaceIsolation Benefit
radiusAuthentication server communicationData VLANSecure credential exchange
snmpNetwork monitoring and managementData VLANIsolated monitoring traffic
syslogSystem log transmissionData VLANCentralized log management
ldapDirectory service authenticationData VLANEnterprise user authentication