Getting Started with Meraki APIs
One Platform. Three APIs. Endless options.
Meraki provides easy to use APIs, connected with our highly programmable, cloud-based network architecture. Our APIs are free to use and easy to integrate into other applications. The Meraki development community is growing quickly and sharing their open source code. Continue reading below to learn about the Dashboard API, Captive Portal API, Scanning API, and Bluetooth Beacons.
We have partnered with Cisco DevNet to offer the Meraki Challenge – a program designed for those new to the Meraki Platform. Challenge winners are eligible to receive a developers kit, complete with a Meraki wireless access point with built-in Bluetooth beacons to help you get started building.
Automate network deployment at scale with the Dashboard API
The Meraki Dashboard API allows developers to handle tedious tasks quickly and programatically. The API enables access to the Meraki dashboard configuration via a modern, programmable, RESTful API using HTTPS and JSON.
Using this API, a large retailer provisioned 1,800 store networks in 9 minutes. With the same API the customer then created their own portal for field technicians to add and remove Meraki devices without requiring access to the Meraki Dashboard.
Powered by the Dashboard API, their network automation tools introduced a refreshingly simple yet powerful and secure new way to deploy and manage their network at scale.
Capture marketing data and demographics from the Captive Portal API
Cisco Meraki access points and security appliances feature the ability to enable a splash page. With the Captive Portal API (or EXCAP API), developers can deploy highly customized splash pages to create an experience, capture analytics, integrate with social networking platforms, and provide marketing experiences.
The Captive Portal API may be used in tandem with the Scanning API to unlock rich solutions such as the ability to pair a shoppers’ identity to their mobile device upon their first visit, facilitating real-time shopper engagement without requiring splash page interactions on subsequent visits. Our technology partners have taken this to new heights by offering seamless social integrations and proximity-based marketing campaigns.
Real-time Wi-Fi location data via the Meraki Scanning API
The Scanning API is a rich, post-based API that offers real-time location data that can be used to measure visitor behavior, improve customer engagement, and increase loyalty across sites. Location Analytics, included with the Meraki MR access points, offer an in-dashboard analytics platform. The Meraki Scanning API offers direct access to the same data in near-realtime, empowering organizations to analyze traffic trends, dwell time, new vs. repeat visitor loyalty and more. Learn more about Proximity Marketing
Developers can use the Scanning API to integrate latitude, longitude and x, y location data from their Meraki networks with their own custom-built applications. Our developer ecosystem around the Scanning API has grown recently to include dozens of partner companies providing all types of value-adding features including enhanced analytics, mobile apps with indoor maps, and location based notifications. Learn More
Bluetooth built-in for mobile apps with micro-location
Meraki Wi-Fi access points include a built-in Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio with ability to transmit, receive, and locate BLE Beacons. Client devices like smartphones “hear” the BLE Beacon transmitted by a Meraki AP, and an app on the smartphone can respond to a recognized Beacon using Apple’s iBeacon protocol.
Asset tracking using bluetooth beacons is now possible with the Meraki access points. Enabling BLE scanning on the Meraki dashboard allows the Meraki AP to detect, and geolocate all nearby Bluetooth Low Energy devices. The Meraki access points can locate Bluetooth beacons from all major vendors, wearables like fitness monitors, and even smartphones running a beacon-enabled app.