topic Re: Cisco NCS 540 Licensing in MPLS

Cisco NCS 540 Licensing

Rami Ibrahim — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 09:30:36 GMT

Hello,

We have a core ISP network of Juniper routers and we are trying to do some POC and test MPLS features using Cisco NCS products and see interoperability with Junos with final goal to migrate everything to Cisco.

We need to do a POC using N540X-6Z18G-SYS-D and we want to place 2-3 N540 in some of our minor POPs.

We will get these as RF or used for the purpose of the POC from a supplier and if all goes well we will order new NCS from Cisco.

The issue is that we got confused about the licensing in NCS540. How does it enforce the license?

If we get used routers with no license, can we still enable all the features?

Some documents says license is mandatory and some says its like honor-based. I really get confused.

Thanks..

Best regards,

Re: Cisco NCS 540 Licensing

balaji.bandi — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 12:15:48 GMT

Depends on the code running on those Routers. In general, Smart License offers you 90 days of RTU to explore the features and test them.

Could you look at the documentation, enable the features, and test it?

Re: Cisco NCS 540 Licensing

Rami Ibrahim — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 12:47:26 GMT

Hello balaji,

Thanks for your reply. We don't have the routers yet, we want to request some used Gears and test them so we don't know the software version in advance and we afraid we won't be able to test anything.

Could you please tell me what will happen if the 90 days RTU expires ? what is the behavior

Best regards,

Re: Cisco NCS 540 Licensing

balaji.bandi — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 17:54:38 GMT

90-day Right-To-Use (RTU) license expires, network services generally continue to operate without interruption, but the device enters an "Out of Compliance" (OOC) state, and administrative functions may be restricted until compliance is restored.

you can find more information here :

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/iosxr/ncs540/licensing/article/ncs540-licensing-reference.html#c-key-features-fcm

Re: Cisco NCS 540 Licensing

Ramblin Tech — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 18:19:05 GMT

Short answer: all XR/XE/NXOS software is copyrighted and must be operated under a license issued by Cisco, as Cisco retains ownership of the software.

Longer answer: how important is it to your organization to strictly operate within legal boundaries? If it is important, then only buy refurbished gear (+ software license) from an authorized Cisco reseller of such equipment and avoid used gear from the secondary market entirely. Unauthorized sellers of used gear on the secondary market have no legal right to provide you with copies of Cisco software stored in the used hardware, nor does Cisco allow end users to operate its software (however obtained) in such used gear purchased through unauthorized channels. If financing this POC is an issue (ie, your organization would rather minimize costs of a POC), you might reach out to Cisco or a Cisco reseller in your area and see if they will support a Try-and-Buy or Demo-Depot program where there are no up-front costs to run a POC at your site.

OTOH, if it is not important to your organization to strictly operate within legal boundaries, my suggestions end here.

Re: Cisco NCS 540 Licensing

Rami Ibrahim — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 19:55:17 GMT

Thanks for the answer however, I'm looking for a clear answer regarding the enforcement of the license on 540.

My understanding now as Balaji said is that when 90 days expired all features will continue to work but software upgrade will be blocked

Re: Cisco NCS 540 Licensing

filopeter — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 08:44:35 GMT

There is no license enforcement, but after 90 days you may get into "SIA Out-of-Compliance" state, where sw upgrade is blocked. To perform sw upgrade is then possible using the disater recovery procedure only.

Re: Cisco NCS 540 Licensing

Rami Ibrahim — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 08:58:02 GMT

Thanks for the reply.

One more question, current licensing is per-10G

ESS-AC-10G-RTU-1 - Essentials

ADV-AC-10G-RTU-1 - Advantage Without Essentials

ADN-AC-10G-RTU-1 - Advantage With Essentials

Does this means I need licensing to enable 10G ports and 1G ports can be working without any restrictions or 1G interfaces need licensing as well?

Best regards,,

Re: Cisco NCS 540 Licensing

filopeter — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 10:00:30 GMT

Every active interface requires a license. Here is some math behind:

1. check all "up" interfaces
2. count the total "up" interface bandwidth and round it to the nearest 10GE, with 1x10GE as minimum
3. the result gives you the number of required licenses

Here are some examples

1x10GE + 8x1GE = 18GE -> requires 2 x10G licenses
2x10GE + 24x1GE = 44GE -> requires 4x10G licenses
2x40GE + 6x10GE + 16x1GE = 156GE -> requires 16x10G licenses
2x100GE + 12x10GE + 16x1GE = 336GE -> requires 34x10G licenses

Re: Cisco NCS 540 Licensing

Rami Ibrahim — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 11:43:46 GMT

Thanks a lot. Its clear now.