How To Add Meraki Devices Via API Monitoring In SolarWindsOrion Platform HF5, NPM HF3: 2020.2.6 ?

Question

Hi All,

Good Day !

We are currently running SolarWindsOrion Platform HF5, NPM HF3: 2020.2.6 and need to set up API monitoring for approximately 300 Cisco Meraki devices.

Reviewed the online documentation, but the "Orchestrator API" polling option is missing from our console.

Could you please advise if there is a specific workaround required for our setup?

Regards,
Anish

Ansab138 · Answer

It sounds like you are hitting a common "version gap" issue. The Orchestrator API polling for Meraki was a feature that underwent significant changes and improvements in the versions following 2020.2.6.

In your specific version (Orion 2020.2.6), the Meraki monitoring was still largely being transitioned or required specific modules to be at a certain "Service Plan" or hotfix level.

Here is why you aren't seeing it and how to fix it:

1. The Version Constraint

In 2020.2.6, native Meraki API monitoring was often tucked under the "Cloud" monitoring settings rather than the standard "Add Node" workflow.

* Full-scale "Orchestrator" support (which handles the Meraki Dashboard API calls) became much more stable and prominent in SolarWinds Platform 2022.x and the current Hybrid Cloud Observability (HCO).

2. Where to look in 2020.2.6

Since you are on an older version, the option might be located here:

* Go to Settings > All Settings.
* Look for Cloud Infrastructure Monitoring (usually under the "Product Specific Settings" or "Node & Group Management").
* Click Manage Cloud Accounts.
* Check if there is an Add Cloud Account button. Meraki was often added here as a "Cloud Controller" rather than a standard SNMP node.

3. Required Modules

To see the Meraki API options in 2020.2.6, you generally need:

* NPM (Network Performance Monitor)
* SAM (Server & Application Monitor) — In older versions, some API polling engines lived inside the SAM module's job stack.

4. How to Enable it (The Workaround)

If it is truly missing from the UI:

* Check your Licensing: Ensure you aren't at your node limit, as API controllers sometimes count as a specific "managed entity."
* API Key: Ensure you have generated the Read-Only API Key in your Meraki Dashboard (Organization > Settings > Dashboard API Access). Without this key being active on the Meraki side, Orion sometimes fails to validate the setup.

The Recommendation: Upgrade to HCO

You are currently running a version from late 2021. SolarWinds has since replaced the "Orion Platform" with Hybrid Cloud Observability (HCO).

* Native Support: HCO has a dedicated, easy-to-use wizard for Meraki. You just enter the API Key, and it automatically discovers all 300+ devices, Org units, and Networks.
* Performance: Polling 300 devices via API on 2020.2.6 can be heavy on the "Information Service" (as we saw in your Q103/Q149 queries). HCO is much more efficient at handling these JSON/Rest calls.

bijuk · Answer

@anish.888222 ,   If your requirement is to monitor Meraki devices, it is feasible to do so with your current version as well.

Please ask your Network team to generate the API key as per this document. - Cisco Meraki Dashboard API - Cisco Meraki Documentation and onboard the nodes using the API KEY.

KyleO · Answer

Hi @anish.888222,

Orchestrator API support was added in version 2024.4:

https://documentation.solarwinds.com/en/success_center/npm/content/release_notes/npm_2024-4_release_notes.htm#link5

I recommend you upgrade to the latest version (2026.1) as soon as possible. You will have to step up to SolarWinds Platform 2024.4.1 first due to being on such an older version. Please see this for more information and instructions:

https://documentation.solarwinds.com/en/success_center/orionplatform/content/install-centralized-upgrade-primary-server.htm

In the meantime, you can try the method explained here but YMMV due to your older version:

https://documentation.solarwinds.com/en/success_center/npm/content/npm-monitor-meraki-devices.htm