Cisco Meraki MS420-48 vs MS425-32
The MS420-48 is a discontinued first-generation 48-port 10G aggregation switch; the MS425-32 is its modern, supported replacement, adding dedicated 40G QSFP+ uplink/stacking, far higher switching capacity, and dual hot-swappable power supplies. If you are still running MS420s, migrate to the MS425 for current cloud features and lifecycle support.
Cisco Meraki MS420-48
First-generation cloud-managed 48-port 10G SFP+ Layer 3 aggregation switch, now end-of-sale and end-of-life.
- 48x 10G SFP+ ports for fiber aggregation
- Flexible stacking - any SFP+ port can act as a stack link, up to 8 units
- Layer 3 routing (static and OSPF) with cloud management
- Discontinued (announced 2016) - no longer sold or supported long-term
Cisco Meraki MS425-32
Modern cloud-managed 32-port 10G SFP+ Layer 3 aggregation switch with dedicated 40G QSFP+ stacking and redundant power.
- 32x 10G SFP+ plus 2x dedicated 40G QSFP+ uplink/stacking ports
- 800 Gbps switching capacity for high-density aggregation
- Dual hot-swappable 250W power supplies for redundancy
- Active, supported platform with current Meraki dashboard features
Cisco Meraki MS420-48 vs Cisco Meraki MS425-32: spec comparison
| Spec | Cisco Meraki MS420-48 | Cisco Meraki MS425-32 |
|---|---|---|
| 10G SFP+ ports | 48 | 32 |
| 40G QSFP+ ports | None | 2 (uplink/stacking) |
| Switching capacity | Lower (1st-gen Trident+ ASIC) | 800 Gbps |
| Stacking | Flexible - any SFP+ port, up to 8 units | Dedicated QSFP+ stacking (160 Gbps) |
| Layer 3 routing | Yes (static, OSPF) | Yes (static, OSPF) |
| Dedicated management port | 1x 1GbE | 1x 1GbE |
| Redundant power | No | Dual 250W AC, hot-swappable |
| Form factor | 1U rack-mount | 1U rack-mount |
| Lifecycle status | End-of-sale / end-of-life | Current / supported |
| Warranty | Lifetime hardware warranty | Lifetime hardware warranty |
Choose Cisco Meraki MS420-48 if
Only keep the MS420-48 if it is in service and budget forces you to defer replacement short-term; it offers more raw 10G ports (48 vs 32) in a single chassis.
Choose Cisco Meraki MS425-32 if
Choose the MS425-32 for any new build or refresh: you get dedicated 40G QSFP+ stacking and uplinks, 800 Gbps switching, dual hot-swap power, and a platform that stays current in the Meraki dashboard.
Verdict
Migrate to the MS425-32. The MS420-48 is end-of-life, so it loses long-term support and firmware updates, while the MS425 delivers dedicated 40G QSFP+ stacking, higher switching capacity, and redundant power. The only reason to hold the MS420 is a short-term budget constraint, and even then you should plan the cutover.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cisco Meraki MS420-48 end of life?
Yes. The MS420 series was discontinued (announced around 2016) and is past end-of-sale and end-of-life, so it no longer receives long-term support or new feature development.
What is the replacement for the Meraki MS420-48?
The MS425-32 (and MS425-16) is the modern Meraki aggregation switch that replaces the MS420 family, adding dedicated 40G QSFP+ uplink and stacking ports plus redundant power.
Does the MS425-32 have 40G ports?
Yes. The MS425-32 includes two dedicated 40G QSFP+ ports used for high-speed uplinks and stacking, which the MS420 lacked.
Why does the MS420 have 48 ports but the MS425 only 32?
The MS425 dedicates capacity to two 40G QSFP+ ports and higher overall switching throughput, so it trades raw 10G port count for dedicated high-speed uplink/stacking and redundant power.
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.