DNAC is not a requirement to use 9200CX.
Be aware that all Catalyst 9200/9300/9400/9500/9600 already have Limited Lifetime Hardware Warranty and, in addition, there is no longer the need to buy SmartNet to download software because it is also free: Cisco Catalyst IOS Software Update Program for Cisco Catalyst 9200/X, 9300/X, 9400/X, 9500/X and 9600/X Series Switches
This Program allows customers using a valid Cisco.com ID to receive the following:
● Free critical updates:
◦ Free critical updates are available to the original customer for up to 1 year after announced end-of- support. These critical updates maintain the compliance of the Software with published specifications, release notes and industry wide compliance.
◦ Free vulnerability and security updates are available to the original customer for up to 3 years after announced end-of-sale.
◦ No support contract is required to obtain these software updates.
● Free major and minor releases:
◦ Free major and minor release updates are available to an original customer moving from one release to another within the same perpetual license level (i.e. Cisco Network Advantage or Cisco Network Essentials).
◦ No support contract is required to obtain these releases.
● Upgrades of Cisco DNA Software subscription licenses:
◦ Upgrading from Cisco DNA Essentials to Cisco DNA Advantage licenses are available for an additional fee. If the customer chooses to upgrade a Cisco DNA Software subscription license, a corresponding upgrade of the Network Stack license on the applicable switch is free.
