License confusion

[Jonn cos]

Hi all,

If we talk about licensing in general, there are basically 2 types of licenses.

1) Right to use paper license. No activation is required. Means we need to buy it ethically/legally but if we dont, feature will still work.

2) Product activation license, without this license, the feature will not be activated.

Can someone help me understand how do we know that specific license is just paper or PAK ?

[InayathUlla Sharieff · Accepted solution]

Hi John,

Please find below link which explains aboubt this;

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/routers/ps10616/white_paper_c11_556985_ps10536_Products_White_Paper.html#wp9000793

Product Activation Key (PAK)

A PAK is an 11 digit alphanumeric key created by Cisco manufacturing that identifies a specific software purchase. PAKs are not tied to a specific device until they are used to generate a software activation license. PAKs can be ordered independently for feature upgrades. PAKs do not have an expiration date and can be redeemed any time after purchase.

Delivery of PAKs can be paper based or electronic. Paper based PAKs begin with SL- for technology package licenses and FL- for Feature licenses. Customers ordering paper based PAKs are sent a software claim certificate by mail identifying their PAK string. Below is the example of a PAK.

Product Name: SL-XX-DATA-K9=

Product Qty: 1

Product Authorization Key: 4XCSL26588E

Electronic PAKs begin with L-SL for technology package licenses and L-FL for Feature licenses. Customers ordering an electronic PAK receive an email which points to a secure portal where they can download a pdf file containing the PAK information shown above. This information is sent to the customer in a matter of minutes after purchase.

HTH

Regards

Inayath