Cisco Meraki MS42 vs MS125-48
The MS125-48 is the modern replacement for the end-of-life MS42 L2 access switch. Both are 48-port Gigabit Layer 2 switches, but the MS125 adds 10G SFP+ uplinks, physical stacking, and a current support lifecycle, making it the recommended upgrade.
Meraki MS42
Layer 2 cloud-managed 48-port Gigabit access switch (non-PoE).
- 48x GbE ports (non-PoE)
- 4x 1G SFP uplinks
- Layer 2 cloud-managed switching
- End-of-life; replaced by the MS125-48
Meraki MS125-48
Layer 2 stackable cloud-managed 48-port Gigabit access switch with 10G SFP+ uplinks (non-PoE).
- 48x GbE ports (non-PoE)
- 4x 10G SFP+ uplinks
- Physical stacking support
- Current, fully supported MS125 series
Meraki MS42 vs Meraki MS125-48: spec comparison
| Spec | Meraki MS42 | Meraki MS125-48 |
|---|---|---|
| Access ports | 48x GbE | 48x GbE |
| PoE | Non-PoE | Non-PoE |
| Uplinks | 4x 1G SFP | 4x 10G SFP+ |
| Switching layer | Layer 2 | Layer 2 |
| Physical stacking | No (virtual only) | Yes (physical stacking) |
| Switching capacity | Up to 104 Gbps | Up to 176 Gbps |
| 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 MS42 if
Only choose the MS42 to match an existing MS42 install for spares, as it is end-of-life and no longer sold.
Choose Meraki MS125-48 if
Choose the MS125-48 for any new or refreshed non-PoE access layer needing 10G SFP+ uplinks, physical stacking, and a current support lifecycle, including TAA-compliant federal builds.
Verdict
Migrate to the MS125-48. It matches the MS42 in 48 Gigabit ports and Layer 2 switching while upgrading uplinks from 1G to 10G SFP+, adding physical stacking, and providing a current TAA-compliant SKU for federal buyers. Keep the end-of-life MS42 only as a short-term spare.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Meraki MS42 end of life?
Yes. The MS42 has reached end-of-life. The MS125-48 is the recommended Layer 2 stackable replacement.
What is the difference between the MS42 and MS125-48?
Both are 48-port non-PoE Layer 2 switches, but the MS125-48 upgrades uplinks from 1G to 10G SFP+, adds physical stacking, and has a current support lifecycle.
Does the MS125-48 support 10G uplinks?
Yes. The MS125-48 includes 4x 10G SFP+ uplink ports, a significant upgrade over the MS42's 1G SFP uplinks.
Is the MS125-48 TAA-compliant for federal use?
Yes. Meraki offers TAA-compliant MS125 SKUs suitable for federal and GPC-payable procurements.
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.