C1111-8P, can import an purchased .lic file.

[grh]

We recently purchased suitable licenses to enable our C1111-8P to be used as a VPN Server.

Cisco sent us a .lic with the instructions to import the license via tftp and to install the

license with the command "license install filename.lic". However, the only  "license smart" is supported

in te CLI so we cannot import the license file.

Please could someone explain how we can import the license?

Guy Hadland

UniSoft Corporation.

[Leo Laohoo]

Keep that license email because it will be useful when dealing with TAC, the License Team or the Entitlements Team. 

The router is probably loaded with firmware that support Cisco Smart License and this is why manually entering the license is not working.  

[grh]

Thanks Leo.

So would you recommend downgrading the router firmware to a version that does not expect a Smart License or is there a way to get the .lic converted to a Smart License?

[Leo Laohoo]

If the router can support 16.9.X then downgrade to that version because CSL is not supported at that code level.  Use the latest 16.9.X. 

And do not forget to read the Release Notes.

[Lachezar Kemerov · Accepted solution]

To add to Leo's answer - if you strictly need .lic file-based Licensing (Classic Licensing) then your only option is downgrading to a release that does not enforce cloud-based (Smart Licensing).

Anything below 16.9.1 supports only Classic Licensing.
16.9.1 to 16.10.1 (excl.) supports both Classic & Smart Licensing.
Anything 16.10.1 and above enforces Smart Licensing.

Depending on your IOS (and if you want to downgrade or not) you have two options:

a) Downgrade to pre-16.10.1 where file-based licensing is supported.
b) Convert your file-based license to Smart Licensing. The Product's admin guide can help you set it up. For converting the license you can follow this or contact the Licensing team for help.