Cisco Meraki MS320-48 vs MS250-48
The MS250-48 is the modern replacement for the end-of-life MS320-48 L3 aggregation/access switch. Both are 48-port Gigabit Layer 3 switches, but the MS250 adds high-speed physical stacking, 10G SFP+ uplinks, and a current support lifecycle, making it the recommended upgrade.
Meraki MS320-48
Layer 3 cloud-managed 48-port Gigabit switch for the access and aggregation layer.
- 48x GbE ports (non-PoE)
- 4x 10G SFP+ uplinks
- Layer 3 routing with cloud management
- End-of-life; replaced by the MS250-48
Meraki MS250-48
Layer 3 stackable cloud-managed 48-port Gigabit switch with 10G uplinks and 160G stacking.
- 48x GbE ports (non-PoE)
- 4x 10G SFP+ uplinks
- Physical stacking up to 160 Gbps
- Layer 3 routing with cloud management
Meraki MS320-48 vs Meraki MS250-48: spec comparison
| Spec | Meraki MS320-48 | Meraki MS250-48 |
|---|---|---|
| Access ports | 48x GbE | 48x GbE |
| PoE | Non-PoE | Non-PoE |
| Uplinks | 4x 10G SFP+ | 4x 10G SFP+ |
| Switching layer | Layer 3 | Layer 3 |
| Physical stacking | Yes, up to 80 Gbps | Yes, up to 160 Gbps |
| Switching capacity | Up to 176 Gbps | Up to 176 Gbps |
| L3 features | Static, OSPF routing | Static, OSPF routing, warm spare (VRRP) |
| Management | Meraki cloud dashboard | Meraki cloud dashboard |
| TAA-compliant option | Limited / EOL | Yes (TAA SKU available) |
| Warranty | Lifetime hardware warranty | Lifetime hardware warranty |
Choose Meraki MS320-48 if
Only choose the MS320-48 to match an existing MS320 install for spares, as it is end-of-life and no longer sold.
Choose Meraki MS250-48 if
Choose the MS250-48 for any new or refreshed L3 access/aggregation layer needing high-speed 160G stacking, warm-spare redundancy, and a current support lifecycle, including TAA-compliant federal builds.
Verdict
Migrate to the MS250-48. It matches the MS320-48 in 48 Gigabit ports, Layer 3 routing, and 10G uplinks while doubling stacking bandwidth to 160 Gbps and adding warm-spare redundancy, with a TAA-compliant SKU for federal buyers. Keep the end-of-life MS320-48 only as a short-term spare.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Meraki MS320-48 end of life?
Yes. The MS320 series is end-of-life, and the MS250-48 is the recommended Layer 3 stackable replacement for the MS320-48.
What is the difference between the MS320-48 and MS250-48?
Both are 48-port Layer 3 switches with 10G SFP+ uplinks, but the MS250 doubles stacking bandwidth to 160 Gbps, adds warm-spare (VRRP) redundancy, and has a current support lifecycle.
Can the MS250-48 stack with my MS320 switches?
No. The MS250 uses its own stacking architecture and stacks with other MS250/MS225 units, not the MS320.
Is the MS250-48 suitable for federal Layer 3 deployments?
Yes. It offers Layer 3 routing, warm-spare redundancy, and a TAA-compliant SKU, making it appropriate for federal and GPC-payable aggregation deployments.
More Meraki MS comparisons
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