Mandatory or optional support for security subscriptions?

[Daniel Gomez]

Hello experts,

We’re currently a bit confused about support SKUs for firepower devices.

We understand the box itself has to have some kind of support in order to have access to TAC and to RMA’s in case of failure. That is covered by the SmartNet support added.

But then, when adding the subscription for security features such as anti malware or IPS also adds another type of support. In this case, this support is mandatory?

In particular this is the case:

CON-L1SWT-FPR4115M This support is added to the main L-FPR4115T-TM= subscription SKU. The support may be manually removed but what kind of implications would doing this have? Is it possible to actually removing it? Or is it mandatory?

If anyone can help, it will be greatly appreciated.

[Marvin Rhoads]

That's a new line item Cisco have started adding as part of the "CX Success tracks". It's definitely not mandatory and (in my opinion) just a way for Cisco to charge even more for something you don't need. We have been selling firewall security subscriptions just fine for years without that new SKU.