Converting ISE Evaluation VM (ISE-VM-K9) to Licensed VMC (ISE-VMC-K9)

[anfeldendani1996]

Hello everyone,

We are planning to deploy an ISE virtual appliance (VMC) with a Premier license in our environment. However, due to our country’s regulatory process, it usually takes some time before the official licenses are delivered.

In the meantime, I’m considering deploying ISE 3.5 using the evaluation OVA (ISE-VM-K9) and starting the configuration and integration work on it.

Once the official licenses arrive, can Cisco support assist with converting the PID from ISE-VM-K9 to ISE-VMC-K9 without losing the configuration?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Best regards,

[balaji.bandi]

Yes, ISE provides a 90-day license for evaluation use. Later, once you have a valid license, you can add a license without losing any configuration, as I know.

[anfeldendani1996]

hello , 

thank you for your return , 

i want to confirm just if the PID will be converted as well , since the appliance ISE-VM-K9 is not supported since march 2025 , so in case of a appliance/patch problem it will be not taken in charge 

regards 

[Aref Alsouqi]

Downloading and installing ISE 3.5 evaluation image "Cisco-vISE-300-3.5.0.527.ova" shouldn't dictate or imply the VM license type. When you use the evaluation image probably you won't be connecting the deployment to your smart account. So, you could go ahead and start building your deployment using the evaluation image, and once your licenses are aligned to your smart account you connect the deployment to your smart account and that's it. One thing to keep in mind please with the evaluation image of ISE is that it supports up to 100 endpoints only.

However, if you had old VM licenses and you purchased the new VM licenses then in that case you can reach out to TAC asking them to convert them for you.

Check this thread please that might have some useful information:

(1) Solved: Cisc ISE Virtual appliance - Cisco Community

[Marcelo Morais]

Hi @anfeldendani1996 ,

 please take a look at: Cisco ISE Licensing Guide.

" ... Cisco ISE, upon installation, grants a 90-day Evaluation license that supports 100 endpoints and enables all Cisco ISE features ... "

However, if you have a Premier License, you can use it through your Smart Account, even if you don't yet have a VM License, something like the image below (illustrative example):

About your question:

" ... can Cisco support assist with converting the PID from ISE-VM-K9 to ISE-VMC-K9 without losing the configuration ? ... "

Yes, you can also search for "7.2.3 How to renew expired support on the old VM PID" in the link above.

Hope this helps !