How to Handle Meraki End-of-Support Alerts Without Replacing Your Hardware

What does Meraki End-of-Support (EoST) actually mean? — and how to silence dashboard alerts without a forced hardware upgrade. 

The short answer: When Cisco declares a Meraki device End-of-Support (EoST), your hardware does not stop working. It continues to function and can still be managed in your Meraki dashboard — including with newly purchased management licenses. What changes is that Cisco may stop providing hardware replacements, software updates, and TAC support for that device. None of those changes require you to replace hardware that is performing exactly as expected. This article explains what EoST actually means for your Meraki switches, what your three replacement options cost when you do need them, and how to remove the blinking alerts from your dashboard today. 

In this blog, we're going to talk about what End-of-Support (EoST) means in the world of Meraki and even more importantly, how to silence those annoying blinking alerts.  More FUD answered here:  Is the Cisco Secondary Market Legal, Safe, and Reliable? 

First and foremost, the device will continue to work as intended and can be managed in the dashboard just as before the EoST date.  Did you know that dashboard management licenses for hardware that is already End-of-Support can still be purchased today?  The MS220s were End-of-Sale'd on July 29, 2017, with an End-of-Support date of July 29, 2024.  The license below would allow you to renew management licensing for MS220s through 2031, 6 years (and counting) beyond the series official End-of-Support date.

What Happens After the End-of-Support Date?

1. Hardware replacements might no longer be provided by Cisco.
2. Software Updates might no longer be provided by Cisco.
3. TAC support might no longer be provided by Cisco.

Don't panic!  The FUD monster might just be trying to scare you into a forced upgrade!  Seriously, though, let's talk about each potential concern.

How can I get rid of the blinking notifications for End-of-Support (EoST) hardware?

Well, Meraki doesn't allow you to completely disable EoST notifications globally, but you can get rid of the visual noise by:

1.  Move your EoST assets to a newly created network within in your org.  The EoST switches can still be managed within your dashboard,  but they will no longer be in your primary network, which eliminates the blinks!

   • Create a new network called 'Production EoST'
   • Move all EoST devices into that network
   • Remove that network from dashboards and views used for daily operations.
2. Modify Email Alert Settings
   • Go to Network-wide -> Alerts
   • Disable "Hardware end-of-life alerts
   • You can also do this in Organization ->Settings -> Alerts

And that's it!

Thank you for reading!

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to Meraki hardware after the End-of-Support date?

Your hardware continues to work exactly as it did before the EoST date. It remains manageable in the Meraki dashboard, and you can still purchase management licenses for it — in some cases years beyond the official EoST date. What Cisco may stop providing is: (1) hardware replacements under warranty, (2) software updates, and (3) TAC support. These are commercial decisions, not technical ones. The device is not deprecated by software or remotely disabled.

Can I still buy management licenses for Meraki hardware after End-of-Support?

Yes. Dashboard management licenses for EoST hardware are available for purchase even after the official support end date. For example, Meraki MS220 switches — End-of-Sale July 2017, End-of-Support July 2024 — can still be licensed for dashboard management through 2031 and beyond. Check with a Meraki partner or secondary-market supplier for current license availability.

How do I remove the blinking End-of-Support notifications from my Meraki dashboard?

There are two approaches. First, you can move EoST devices to a newly created network (e.g., 'Production EoST') and remove that network from your daily operational views — the devices remain manageable but the alerts disappear from your primary dashboard. Second, you can disable hardware EoST alert emails by going to Network-wide > Alerts and turning off 'Hardware end-of-life alerts', or globally at Organization > Settings > Alerts.

Do I need to replace Meraki hardware immediately after End-of-Support?

Not necessarily. The decision should be based on whether the hardware still meets your technical requirements — not on the EoST notification itself. Meraki access switches are solid-state devices with long operational lifespans. If a device is performing reliably, segmented correctly, and managed within your dashboard, EoST does not make it a security or operational liability. When replacement is eventually needed, three cost tiers apply: a replacement unit from Edgeium (~$200), a current-model replacement from Edgeium, or a current-model replacement through the standard Cisco channel (~$6,000+).

Is Meraki End-of-Support the same as End-of-Sale?

No. End-of-Sale (EoS) means Cisco has stopped selling that model — you can no longer purchase it new from Cisco's channel. End-of-Support (EoST) means Cisco's official support obligations for that model have ended. They typically occur years apart: the Meraki MS220 was End-of-Sale in July 2017 but not End-of-Support until July 2024. Secondary-market suppliers like Edgeium continue to sell and support both EoS and EoST hardware, often at a fraction of the cost of current-model replacements.