So, let me start off with I am still learning networking. For that matter, I will always be learning networking. OMG, there is sooooo much to it! So, I wanted to get that out of the way.

What is Meraki

Well, it is a company. Or, it was a company before Cisco bought them. Now, it is part of Cisco. However, I still see much that indicates they are on the fringe of the Cisco infrastructure. A post I read indicated it was conceived of at MIT. So, warning this is cool but there are issue.

Meraki Requires A Cloud License

That is, this thing CANNOT run is standalone mode. It has to be connected to a Cloud license. So what, well be ready to pay for ever! There is no lifetime license period. Oh, and if you get one make sure it is unclaimed.

What Is Unclaimed

Well, for starters. As stated above, without the Cloud. Meraki devices are really dumb. In fact, they will not function. Also, if still claimed on a cloud license somewhere good luck. Why? Well the device is attached at the hip to that cloud license. So, it will take an act of God to get that unclaimed from the original license if it is not done by the original owner of the license. Ok, to be clear as MUD!!! Never buy one that is claimed make sure it is unclaimed!!!

Ok Ignore Everything Above

Now, my goal is post to take one of these devices and completely untether it from its previous life in the Borg. HOWEVER, be warned this will not be the Meraki device it once was! It will be something new it will have a new life based on OpenWrt. I really hope it will be a fruitful one!!!

Purpose of This Post

Yes, I am going to unBorg this device. My device is a MS22 and I have found OpenWrt resources that should work with this device.

Resources

The meat and potatoes of this unBorging. This is where I am starting. Also, yes you will need Docker to do this. There are other ways, but Docker is the way to go from previous experience with switch OS stuff.

OpenWrt for Meraki - So, this is the kernel layer apparently the original kernel is a hack of OpenWrt. That was made by MIT.

Someone else pissed at the cloud. - Yes this plays with getting the thing to be smart without the stupid Borg attached to it.

How to connect really to Meraki MS22. J4 is mentioned and I have that so I hope this works I hope to telnet into this device via J4. However, this is a different model that pictured. So, I will not know until I actually attempt to connect. Time to get out my hardware mad skills and see what happens. Let's Get`R Done!

Here we go!

For now it is all on my Google Drive Meraki Folder J4 Jumper

Oh, found PostmerkOS install instructions. And the related blog

I also ordered this SPI flash tool.

Then, I did this.

That was fun!

The chip is now ready to be written. But I am going to wait for my spi programmer to come unless I get board and want to build it via Teensy 3.1 dev board as that is also supported by flashrom.

and the UART is outlined in PostMerkOS as well.

What About a UI?

Well, PostMerkOS is all cli at the moment. Maybe I will help with UI dev and post that in GitHub when I get some time. For now, I think ssh and CLI will be fine.

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