ACS 5.8 VMware Software and Base License

[garciajbg305]

Hello,

So, I purchased ACS 5.8 VMware Software and Base License recently. When the software arrived I was surprised to find 3 discs (one was for an install of 5.7, the other an upgrade to 5.8, and a license disc). When I created a VM and went to upload the .iso I found that this software came with a .img image instead. My question is why would Cisco send me and old disc that I need to upgrade instead of sending the version that can be downloaded from their website? Now a five minute task just turned into who know how long. Should I just get third-party software to convert the .img to a .iso in order to upload into a VM or should I contact Cisco and ask what gives? I am just disappointed with the fact Cisco would send old software and expect a customer to upgrade to 5.8.

[Marvin Rhoads · Accepted solution]

You can just download the 5.8 iso ("ACS_v5.8.0.32.iso") straight from the download site and deploy your VM using that. Then update it to the current Patch level (Patch 5 as of right now). Both are available for download to users with entitlement from here:

https://software.cisco.com/download/release.html?mdfid=286286338&flowid=76642&softwareid=282766937&release=5.8.0.32&relind=AVAILABLE&rellifecycle=&reltype=latest

Shipped media has a lot do do with logistics and the distribution channel and very little to do with delivering the most current release directly to the end user.

I'm not sure I've ever deployed from media I received in the package since I started working with Cisco equipment over 20 years ago.

[garciajbg305]

Marvin,

Thank you for the reply. Yes, I understand I can download it from Cisco's website; however, I did not have access to do so. I ended up calling Cisco and submitting a ticket. They ended up giving me access for 72 hrs to download the software online. So all is well in the world now. I am a bit disappointed that I received an older version and wrong file type to begin with. If software is purchased directly from Cisco do I have service level support for the software? Or is this an additional cost? 

[Marvin Rhoads]

You're welcome. Thanks for rating.

Regarding the support, when you purchase from a knowledgeable partner they usually include the software support contract with the purchase. It is a separately priced item with an associated term - up to 5 years. However, it is not a mandatory item and one can buy it a la carte. In cases like that, one has to go the route that you discovered.

Even when one does purchase the support contract (which entitles you to not only future upgrades but also full 24-7 TAC support), the partner still needs to make sure your CCO id is added to the contract. Yes you can do it yourself but the partner doing it for you is one of the things that distinguished the better ones from the no so good ones.