topic Re: cisco vwlc9800 and ap license in Wireless

cisco vwlc9800 and ap license

mohamed-elkaffas — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 18:57:02 GMT

Now i deployed Vwlc9800 (17.12.0) ova file , and joined APs i have 3 questions aboout license. I dont have cisco DNA environment

1- The virtual wireless controller 9800 Need License?

2- I have 20APs connected Model 3802i(US), what the limitation if i connected those APS without license if found in question no1?

3- when i go to Licensing from WLC Management panel i got those note

Smart Licensing Status	ENABLED		Smart Licensing Using Policy	ENABLED
Unique Product ID	C9800-CL-K9		Unique Serial Number	XXXXXXX

LICENSES IN USE

No licenses in use

So what is no licenses in use?

Re: cisco vwlc9800 and ap license

Mark Elsen — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 19:12:24 GMT

- FYI : https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controllers/nb-06-cat9800-ser-wirel-faq-ctp-en.html#CiscoCatalyst9800SeriesWirelessControllerlicensing

Re: cisco vwlc9800 and ap license

mohamed-elkaffas — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 19:23:14 GMT

so i cant run 20 ap without license right ?

Re: cisco vwlc9800 and ap license

Mark Elsen — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 19:34:05 GMT

- Normally not , but the VWLC9800 won't complain too much or enforce it ,

Re: cisco vwlc9800 and ap license

Mark Elsen — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 19:38:24 GMT

- Also found https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controllers/impl-catalyst-9800-wrls-lan-ctrlr-licens-faq.html
>...

Q. Is there license enforcement on Catalyst 9800-CL WLC?

A. If a 9800-CL WLC is not connected to a smart licensing service, there is a limit of 50 access points enforced on the device. Once a 9800-CL WLC is connected to a smart licensing service, this restriction disappears. The compliance of the controller is decided based on the licenses available.

You may want to read the rest of the document too,

Re: cisco vwlc9800 and ap license

mohamed-elkaffas — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 19:54:47 GMT

i got it , if there no license i have restricted to 50 AP only

Re: cisco vwlc9800 and ap license

Rich R — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 14:33:55 GMT

That's a little bit surprising because there should an AIR license consumed for each AP which joins the WLC.
It might be a bug that it shows "No licenses in use" when you have not connected it to smart licensing.
What does the output of "sh lic air entities summary" show?
You should also see them under the License Usage section of the "show lic all" output.

As @Mark Elsen highlighted the enforcement currently only starts for more than 50 APs but Cisco could change that at any time.