Cisco Meraki MS220-48FP vs MS225-48FP
The MS220-48FP is an end-of-support full-PoE access switch; the MS225-48FP is its current Layer 2 stacking replacement. The MS225-48FP keeps the same 48-port, 740W PoE profile but adds 10G SFP+ uplinks, physical stacking, and a larger 176 Gbps fabric, so it is the natural high-PoE upgrade.
Cisco Meraki MS220-48FP
Legacy full-PoE Layer 2 cloud-managed 48-port Gigabit access switch.
- 48x 1 GbE RJ45 with 740W PoE+ budget
- 4x 1 GbE SFP uplinks
- Physical + virtual stacking (MS225 compatible)
- End of sale and past end-of-support
Cisco Meraki MS225-48FP
Current Layer 2 stacking cloud-managed 48-port full-PoE switch with 10G uplinks.
- 48x 1 GbE RJ45 with 740W PoE+ budget
- 4x 10 GbE SFP+ uplinks
- Dedicated physical stacking up to 80 Gbps, 8 members
- 176 Gbps switching capacity
Cisco Meraki MS220-48FP vs Cisco Meraki MS225-48FP: spec comparison
| Spec | Cisco Meraki MS220-48FP | Cisco Meraki MS225-48FP |
|---|---|---|
| Access ports | 48x 1 GbE RJ45 | 48x 1 GbE RJ45 |
| PoE budget | 740W (PoE+) | 740W (PoE+) |
| Uplinks | 4x 1 GbE SFP | 4x 10 GbE SFP+ |
| Switching capacity | 104 Gbps | 176 Gbps |
| Forwarding rate | Up to 77 Mpps | 130.95 Mpps |
| Stacking | Physical 80G + virtual (MS225 compatible) | Dedicated stacking 80 Gbps, up to 8 members |
| Jumbo frames | 9,578 bytes | 9,600 bytes |
| Layer | Layer 2 | Layer 2 |
| Management | Meraki cloud dashboard | Meraki cloud dashboard |
| Lifecycle status | End of support | Current / shipping |
| Warranty | Lifetime hardware | Lifetime hardware |
Choose Cisco Meraki MS220-48FP if
There is no current-buy case for the MS220-48FP; it is past end-of-support and no longer patched. Keep it running only until MS225 units are staged for cutover.
Choose Cisco Meraki MS225-48FP if
Choose the MS225-48FP for any full-PoE access closet that needs 10G uplinks, physical stacking, and a larger forwarding fabric. It is the modern, supported successor with the same 740W power profile.
Verdict
Migrate from the MS220-48FP to the MS225-48FP. The MS225 keeps the identical 48-port, 740W PoE footprint while upgrading uplinks from 1G to 10G, raising the fabric to 176 Gbps, and adding true high-bandwidth physical stacking, all on supported firmware. The MS220-48FP being unpatched makes the move time-sensitive.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Meraki MS220-48FP end of life?
Yes. The MS220 series reached end-of-support in July 2024, so the MS220-48FP gets no further firmware or security updates and should be replaced.
Does the MS225-48FP have the same PoE budget as the MS220-48FP?
Yes. Both deliver a 740W PoE+ budget across all 48 ports, so high-density PoE phone, camera, and AP deployments migrate without losing power capacity.
What is the biggest upgrade from MS220-48FP to MS225-48FP?
The uplinks. The MS225-48FP moves from 1G SFP to 4x 10G SFP+ uplinks, and it adds dedicated physical stacking up to 80 Gbps with a 176 Gbps fabric, versus 104 Gbps on the MS220-48FP.
Can I stack MS225 with my existing MS220 switches?
The MS220 was stack-compatible with the MS225 in physical stacks historically, but mixing an end-of-support model into a new stack is not recommended. Plan a clean MS225-only stack.
More Meraki MS comparisons
Specs are for planning and may change; Uniqcli confirms the current Cisco bill of materials and pricing on your quote. Cisco, Catalyst, Nexus, Meraki, and Firepower are trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc.; Uniqcli LLC is an independent authorized Cisco partner.