ISE 2.7 to 3.0/3.1 upgrade

[REJR77]

Dear community,

I need to upgrade a 2 nodes deployment (VM) that run 2.7 to 3.0 (or 3.1)

The ISE deployment is already using Smart Licensing with base licenses.

We are quite clear with the upgrade procedure, but have some questions with licenses.

Do we need to convert the old fashion license to new mode (Essential, Advantage...) before the upgrade or we can do this after the upgrade?

Any special thing to take into consideration with the license upgrade porcess ?

Also, for the new VM license mode (if we go to 3.1) , do we neeed to upgrade to the new VM licence mode before or after the upgrade?

Any feedback?

Thanks

[Mike.Cifelli]

Do we need to convert the old fashion license to new mode (Essential, Advantage...) before the upgrade or we can do this after the upgrade?

Any special thing to take into consideration with the license upgrade porcess ?

Also, for the new VM license mode (if we go to 3.1) , do we neeed to upgrade to the new VM licence mode before or after the upgrade?

-Regardless of what version you migrate to you will need to migrate from existing old model to new model for licensing support.  This will require TAC in order to assist with this process.  In my experiences TAC has actually suggested to do it post-upgrade.  Note that in doing so you will be out of compliance for a short window.  However, there should be no harm to features/services/etc. as your nodes would fall under the eval window.  However, you will upon logging in see a license warning banner.  Overall, from my experiences with migrating the licenses from 2.x to 3.x model everything is smooth and honestly rather easy when working with TAC.  My suggestion would be to take a look at the following, and work with TAC.

Additional info: 

Cisco Identity Services Engine - Cisco ISE License FAQ - Cisco

Products - ISE Licensing Migration Guide - Cisco

[Marcelo Morais · Accepted solution]

Hi @REJR77 ,

 special attention to the following (Cisco ISE License FAQ link that @Mike.Cifelli provided and ISE Admin Guide 2.7 search for Table 1 Cisco ISE License Packages

a.

The new licenses (Essential, Advantage and Premier) are ALL Subscription based licenses.

The old licenses (Base, Plus and Apex) are Perpetual (Base) and Subscription (Plus and Apex)

Double check if the Perpetual (Base) to Subscription is not an issue to you (in terms of Contract)

b.

" ... If upgrading to 3.0 from an existing 2.X release, it is required that a customer migrate their existing licenses to the new licenses and then upgrade to the 3.0 release... "

c.

" ... Customers who are on ISE 2.x and ISE 3.0 can continue to use the Legacy VM Licenses, until the end-of-life date of that license. They also can migrate the Legacy VM Licenses to the VM Common License and continue to stay on ISE 2.x of ISE 3.0. ... "

Hope this helps !!!