topic Re: Licensing question in Wireless

Licensing question

Ambuj M — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 16:53:08 GMT

Hi, have licensing question.

I have 2000 DNA advantage license that expired in 2027 and system running on 9800-40 controllers.

upgrading 500 old APs currently using DNA advantage licenses to Wi-Fi 7 APs, do I need to purchase 500 unified licenses for the new WiFi 7 APs or is there a way to convert 500 out of existing 2000 DNA advantage to unified licenses.

Has anyone dealt with this situation ?

Re: Licensing question

Mark Elsen — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 11:52:27 GMT

- @Ambuj M Check this paragraph completely : https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/wi-fi-7-products-licensing-faq.html#WiFi7licensing

Re: Licensing question

Ambuj M — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 14:41:52 GMT

I did hear back from Cisco, Wi-Fi7 AP will need unified licenses period. In back end Cisco can help with credit on existing licenses, but the customer will have to purchase unified licenses, this will most likely be not at $0 cost to customer. DNA and unified licenses both can be consumed from same smart account on same controller, older AP will consume DNA licenses and Wi-Fi 7 AP will consume unified license.

I already know customers will not like it, but I am sure Cisco will work it out on a case by case basis.

Meraki is a different story, for Meraki co-term use normal MR licenses for all AP, including Wi-Fi 7. However Meraki sub and EA require unify licenses

Re: Licensing question

Rich R — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:26:57 GMT

Correct @Ambuj M - your only option is to negotiate a deal for upgrade discount with your Cisco account manager.
The unified license includes support (which was never part of the DNA license) so will always cost more.
In that respect it is similar to the Meraki license.

Re: Licensing question

nmagboo@msi-ecs.com.ph — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 02:54:09 GMT

hi Ambuj,

i received an email regarding my new unified license for CW9172 yet the license is a Meraki Dashbaord license key, but im using a C9800 wlc on prem. how can i claim that license to my wlc or software central?

thank you.

Re: Licensing question

Ambuj M — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 03:35:19 GMT

see the on-prem management section here, see if it helps, best to call Meraki licensing to help migrate.

Selecting Management Mode for Next Gen Hardware with Unified Licenses - Cisco Meraki Documentation