Safeguard is currently in pre-release status. As we continue to refine and enhance this product, you may notice occasional unexpected behavior or variations in performance. Your feedback during this pre-release phase is invaluable — please share any issues or suggestions with our support team to help us deliver the best possible experience for general availability.
Overview
Safeguard allows you to download your backed up configuration data at any time. Whether you need to review historical configurations, maintain offline backups, or analyze configuration changes, the download feature gives you complete access to your snapshot data in an organized, readable format.
This guide explains how to download snapshot data, what's included in the download package, and how to work with the exported files.
Before You Begin
Before downloading snapshot data, ensure you:
- Have appropriate permissions in your workspace to access the entity
- Know which snapshot version you need (most recent or a specific historical snapshot)
- Understand that downloaded data represents a point-in-time configuration state
Two Ways to Download Snapshot Data
Safeguard provides two methods for downloading snapshot data, depending on whether you need the most recent backup or a specific historical version:
Method 1: Quick Download from Entity Page
Best for: Getting the latest configuration quickly
- Downloads the most recent snapshot automatically
Method 2: Selective Download from Snapshot History
Best for: Accessing specific historical configurations
- Choose any snapshot from the entity's history
Method 1: Download from Entity Page
Use this method when you need the latest backed up configuration for any entity.
Step 1: Navigate to Your Entity
- Log in to your workspace and navigate to Safeguard
- Identify the Organization and click on it to access the Entity page
- Find the specific entity using the search bar or scrolling through the list
Step 2: Locate Your Entity
- Once you location the entity, click the three-dot icon (⋮) to open the actions menu
- Select "Download data" from the dropdown menu
Step 3: Confirm Download
A confirmation modal will appear displaying:
- Entity name
- Snapshot timestamp (when the latest backup was taken)
- Notification that this will download the most recent snapshot only
Click "Download data" to proceed.
Step 4: Save Your File
- Your browser will begin downloading a ZIP file
- Choose your download location and save the file
What you get: A complete archive of the entity's most recent configuration state, organized in a structured folder hierarchy.
Method 2: Download from Snapshot History
Use this method when you need a specific historical configuration or want to compare different versions.
Step 1: Access Snapshot History
- Navigate to your entity
- Click on “View Snapshots” to view the Snapshot History page
Step 2: Browse Available Snapshots
- Review the list of snapshots
- Use the Explorer, search bar or filters to find specific snapshots
- Sort by date to find the exact version you need
Step 3: Select Your Snapshot
- Click on the snapshot you want to download
- Review the snapshot details to confirm it's the correct version
- Verify the timestamp matches your requirements
Step 4: Download the Snapshot
- Click the "Download" button for your selected snapshot
- No additional confirmation is required
- The download begins immediately
Step 5: Save Your File
- Your browser downloads a ZIP
- Save the file to your preferred location
What you get: A complete archive of the entity's configuration at that specific point in time.
Understanding Your Downloaded Data
ZIP File Contents
Every download package includes:
- README.md: Essential documentation explaining the file structure and how to navigate the data
- data/: Main directory containing all configuration files organized by type
File Structure Overview
The data is organized in a logical hierarchy:
data/
├── organization/ # Organization-wide settings
├── network/ # Network-specific configurations
├── devices/ # Individual device settings
└── floor_plans/ # Floor plan images
Data Organization by Entity Type
Network Entity Downloads
Include:
- Network configurations: All network-wide settings and by product category
- Device configurations: Settings for each device in the network, organized by serial number
- Floor plans: Both configuration metadata and actual floor plan images
Organization Entity Downloads
Include:
- Organization settings: Global configurations that apply across all networks
Template Entity Downloads
Include:
- Network configurations: All network-wide settings and by product category
Common Use Cases
Compliance and Auditing
Maintain configuration records for compliance:
- Archive configurations for audit trails
- Document configuration states during incidents
Migration Planning
Export configurations for migration projects:
- Download current state before migration
- Use data to plan and document changes
- Verify post-migration configurations match requirements
Troubleshooting
Access historical configurations for problem resolution:
- Download snapshots from before issues began
- Compare working vs. non-working configurations
- Identify configuration drift or unauthorized changes
Common Questions
Q: How large are typical download files?
A: File sizes vary based on entity size. Organization downloads typically range from a few KB to a couple MB. Network downloads can be larger (1-50 MB) depending on the number of devices and floor plans. Template downloads are usually compact (under 1 MB).
Q: Can I download multiple snapshots at once?
A: Currently, each snapshot must be downloaded individually. For bulk exports, download each required snapshot separately and organize them locally.
Q: How long are snapshots available for download?
A: Snapshots are available for download throughout Safeguard's retention period (default: 365 days). After this period, older snapshots are automatically removed and cannot be downloaded.
Q: Can I download data from deleted entities?
A: Yes, during the 14-day grace period after deletion, you can still download the most recent snapshot data. After permanent deletion, downloads are no longer possible.
Q: What's the difference between downloading from Entity page vs. Snapshot History?
A: Entity page always downloads the most recent snapshot with one click. Snapshot History lets you choose any specific historical snapshot, useful for retrieving older configurations.
Q: Can I automate snapshot downloads?
A: Currently, we only support manual download through the UI.
Q: Can I re-import downloaded configurations back to Meraki?
A: Downloaded data is for reference, backup, and analysis purposes. Re-importing configurations requires using Meraki's API or entering manually through the dashboard - the downloaded JSON files serve as a reference for re-configuration.
