ACI - License requirement

[ju.mahieu]

Hi,

My N9k leaves have been shipped with the following licenses :

ACI-N9K-48X -> ACI software license for a 48-port 1/10G Cisco Nexus 9000 Series switch
ACI-F48G -> ACI SW license for a 48p 1G Nexus 2K

Do you have any informations to install the files ?

And how can I check the license status/usage in ACI ?

Regards,

Ju

[Manish Gogna]

Hi Ju,

Please check the following for Licensing checklist and install instructions on Nexus 9K

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/sw/nx-os/licensing/guide/b_Cisco_NX-OS_Licensing_Guide/b_Cisco_NX-OS_Licensing_Guide_chapter_01.html#con_24896

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/nexus9000/sw/6-x/troubleshooting/guide/b_Cisco_Nexus_9000_Series_NX-OS_Troubleshooting_Guide/b_Cisco_Standalone_Series_NX-OS_Troubleshooting_Guide_chapter_010.html#reference_38CFBF8379E043548B5A9FB5DC649C51

Manish

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[ju.mahieu]

Thank you Manish for your answer.

But unfortunately, the two links you provided are related to the 9k running in NX-OS mode , not about the ACI mode.

"show license" is not available on my leaf.

Any other ideas ?

Regards

Ju

[Manish Gogna · Accepted solution]

Hi Ju,

The Application Centric Infrastructure platform does not use traditional licenses like you would see in the IOS or NXOS platforms. In ACI model, licenses are honor-based for the fabric and are bundled with the product when it's purchased. So if you own the product and purchased it from a valid source, then you are entitled to configure and use it as you wish.

Are you seeing any error messages preventing you from configuring anything?

Manish

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[ju.mahieu]

Thank you Manish,

Yes, our products have been purchases from a valid Cisco partner and everything works great (No error messages). But I was wondering what I had to do with the licenses key included in the 9k boxes. Good news if I have nothing to do ;-)

Regards,

Ju

[sunilferrao]

Hi Manish

is ACI license coming with permanent or yearly renewal based , can you share the document which explain ACI full Licensing part

Thanks 

snl

[Manish Gogna]

There isn't any public doc discussing only ACI licensing in detail. ACI licensing related information can be checked here

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/cloud-systems-management/application-policy-infrastructure-controller-apic/datasheet-c78-732414.html

http://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/solutions/collateral/data-center-virtualization/cloud-infrastructure/at-a-glance-c45-732732.pdf

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/software/one-data-center/datasheet-c78-733010.html

Honor-based licenses do not normally need to be renewed annually.

Manish

[Nik Noltenius]

Hi Manish,

and hi everyone else for that matter,

sorry to warm this post up again but I have a question building up on the discussion so far.

Given that I don't have install or renew the honor based licenses how are they linked to the switches when it comes to support? If a customer happens to connect three FEXes even though they only purchased two licenses and run into a problem how do I as a partner and how does Cisco know if the device affected is actually licensed?

And if I replace a FEX can I "re-use" the old license?

I mean this doesn't even need to be ill intent if we think of a larger scale scenario.

I apologize in advance if the answers should be obvious but I can't really find anything except this discussion.

Kind regards

Nik

[Manish Gogna]

Hi Nik,

There is no license on the ACI switches that can be validated. This is because the platform does not use traditional licenses like you would see in the IOS or NXOS platforms. In the ACI model, licenses are honor-based for the fabric and are bundled with the product when it's purchased, as far as i know these licenses are tied to the hardware serial numbers. Cisco expects its partners and customers to buy the relevant new licenses when adding new devices.

HTH

Manish

[Nik Noltenius]

Thank you for clarification, Manish!

I'm still missing some details but I think I understand it "well enough" now ;)

Regards

Nik

[adeboye.adeoso]

Yes, you don't have to do anything, the licenses comes pre-configured. 

[pacofrnkeng]

One of the best answers i've read all day long, thanks

[jstevensen]

Followup question - If I were to purchase lab equipment on Ebay (cringe - yes) will it work or is there licensing issues?

I have to ask because Ciscos REFUSAL to provide access to proper training equipment pushes people underground to Ebay/shady resellers.   Id be happy with GNS3.  But Nope.   I Was reading i can deploy a virtual APIC in a ESX so all I need is cheapo 2nd hand hardware.

(Insert all the responses - "But Cisco ACI Simulator....")

USELESS.  No dataplane so connecting real world devices (FW, etc) in a lab is a no-go.