Ensure license is properly installed

[Goncalo.Contente]

Hi all,

I have a stack of switches (17.05.01) without internet connection and want to upgrade from network essentials to advantage. I have followed all the steps in the official doc

1 - configure license boot level to network advantage and reload switch
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst9300/software/release/17-5/configuration_guide/sys_mgmt/b_175_sys_mgmt_9300_cg/sl_using_policy.html#task_y52_xwk_l2b

2 - create RUM report
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst9300/software/release/17-5/configuration_guide/sys_mgmt/b_175_sys_mgmt_9300_cg/sl_using_policy.html#Cisco_Concept.dita_7057e18c-3c69-4d91-841b-0b5beb7a2d88

3- Upload RUM report to SMART account, download the ACK file and install ACK file on switch
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst9300/software/release/17-5/configuration_guide/sys_mgmt/b_175_sys_mgmt_9300_cg/sl_using_policy.html#Cisco_Task_in_List_GUI.dita_3e53f569-57a0-4aa7-a53f-f105c4d466e7

After installing the ACK.txt file i receive an "Import Data Successful" message. However I see the following log:
%SMART_LIC-6-REPORTING_REQUIRED: A Usage report acknowledgement will be required in 364 days

I was not expecting to see this log since this is a perpetual license, i wonder if this is not because we can move licenses between devices and CSSM just needs to confirm if its still in use on this switch stack.

Can someone confirm my assumptions and what is the correct behaviour? Also, is there a way to check if the license is properly installed?

[Torbjørn · Accepted solution]

The policy is determined by CSSM. I believe your license falls under "Unenforced/Non-Export Perpetual". The Documentation states the following: "For Unenforced/Non-Export Perpetual: the default policy’s first report requirement (within 365 days) applies only if you have purchased hardware or software from a distributor or partner. "

The "Policy" part of this doc could be useful to you: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/routers/sl_using_policy/b-sl-using-policy/info_about.html#Cisco_Concept.dita_de5f3960-a2fd-4c7c-911d-69afc822bf79

For verifying that licensing is OK you should verify the output of "show license status" and "show license summary". The most important things are: Smart account Information, Usage Reporting and Trust Code for license status, and that you see the expected license usage under license summary.

[Goncalo.Contente]

Hi @Torbjørn thanks for your reply. You are correct I have purchased the licenses through a partner.

For the show license summary I have

#sh license summary
License Usage:
  License                 Entitlement Tag               Count Status
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  network-advantage       (C9300-24 Network Advan...)       2 IN USE

As for the show license status

#sh license status
Utility:
  Status: DISABLED

Smart Licensing Using Policy:
  Status: ENABLED

Data Privacy:
  Sending Hostname: yes
    Callhome hostname privacy: DISABLED
    Smart Licensing hostname privacy: DISABLED
  Version privacy: DISABLED

Transport:
  Type: Transport Off

Policy:
  Policy in use: Merged from multiple sources.
  Reporting ACK required: yes (CISCO default)
  Unenforced/Non-Export Perpetual Attributes:
    First report requirement (days): 365 (CISCO default)
    Reporting frequency (days): 0 (CISCO default)
    Report on change (days): 90 (CISCO default)
  Unenforced/Non-Export Subscription Attributes:
    First report requirement (days): 90 (CISCO default)
    Reporting frequency (days): 90 (CISCO default)
    Report on change (days): 90 (CISCO default)
  Enforced (Perpetual/Subscription) License Attributes:
    First report requirement (days): 0 (CISCO default)
    Reporting frequency (days): 0 (CISCO default)
    Report on change (days): 0 (CISCO default)
  Export (Perpetual/Subscription) License Attributes:
    First report requirement (days): 0 (CISCO default)
    Reporting frequency (days): 0 (CISCO default)
    Report on change (days): 0 (CISCO default)

Miscellaneous:
  Custom Id: <empty>

Usage Reporting:
  Last ACK received: Jul 10 08:35:40 2024 GMT
  Next ACK deadline: Jul 10 08:35:40 2025 GMT
  Reporting push interval: 30  days
  Next ACK push check: <none>
  Next report push: Jul 10 08:28:38 2024 GMT
  Last report push: <none>
  Last report file write: <none>

Trust Code Installed: <none>

To be honest i don't really know what is the expected output. Could you confirm if its OK??

Regards

[Torbjørn]

That looks good to me. You should be good to go!