NX-OS 9K Licensing

[ZK916]

Hello, 

One of our network engineers tried to deploy a new N9K-C93180YC-FX which we purchased with the Essentials license. He had an issue with the deployment and asked that he needed the PAK file in order to be able to complete the install. 

I am not an expert on the Nexus platform and was wondering if someone can shed some light on why the PAK file is required is we already purchased the Essentials license? 

Thanks in advance. 

Best, ~zK 

[ericnich]

zK,

The traditional approach to licensing on Nexus 9000 switches was buying a PAK file and putting it on the switch. You didn't need the PAK file in addition to the license, the PAK file *was* the license from a technical perspective.

There was a migration to a new approach which was essentially completed in 10.2(1): https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/sw/nx-os/licensing/guide/cisco-nexus-nx-os-smart-licensing-using-policy-user-guide/m-smart-licensing-using-policy.html

PAK files are not needed and cannot be used under this new approach.

[ZK916]

@ericnich …This is very helpful! Thanks for that. 

If we have cisco Nexus9000 C93180YC-FX version 9.3(8), would the proper process be to upgrade the NX-OS to version 10.2(1) and with this software version no PAK license would be required. Would this be a correct? 

Thanks in advance. 

~zK 

[ericnich]

zK,

The recommended releases are currently 9.3(12) and 10.2(5): https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/nexus9000/sw/recommended_release/b_Minimum_and_Recommended_Cisco_NX-OS_Releases_for_Cisco_Nexus_9000_Series_Switches.html

You wouldn't need the PAK on 10.2(5), but you would need to configure Smart Licensing Using Policy: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/sw/nx-os/licensing/guide/cisco-nexus-nx-os-smart-licensing-using-policy-user-guide/m-configuring-slp.html

Eric