License question for 3850 Switch

[stephenpease]

Hello all, 

I am trying to figure out what license(s) I will need for a very specific case. I have tried navigating the Cisco websites in an effort to hunt it down on my own, but I am not quite all the way there.

I need a 3850 switch with these specific items:

• 4x10G ports
• L2PT

That's it folks!

On the compare models page: http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/catalyst-3850-series-switches/models-comparison.html

I found that i am likely looking at the 48T model, but I couldn't find anything in the feature comparison tool that mentioned L2PT for the 3850. 

1. What version of licensing do I need for L2PT on the 3850? LAN Base, IP Base, IP Services? 
2. What license do I need for the 10G ports? (One of my switches has the evaluation license and for this new switch, that obviously won't fly)

Thanks for your help, 

Steve

[Julio E. Moisa]

Hi

For L2TP I think you need an ip services license.

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst3850/software/release/3se/ha_stack_manager/configuration_guide/b_hastck_3se_3850_cg/b_hastck_3se_3850_cg_chapter_011.html

About the 10G ports, you need to verify if you switch support the module, below you will find the list of modules supported per switch:

Table 2.       Network Module Numbers and Descriptions

Product Number	Product Description	WS-C3850-24XU WS-C3850-12X48U	WS-C3850-12XS WS-C3850-24XS
C3850-NM-4-1G	4 x Gigabit Ethernet network modules	Supported	Not supported
C3850-NM-2-10G	4 x Gigabit Ethernet/2 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet network modules	Supported	Not supported
C3850-NM-4-10G	4 x Gigabit Ethernet/4 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet network modules	Supported	Supported
C3850-NM-8-10G	8 x Gigabit Ethernet/8 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet network modules	Supported	See note
C3850-NM-2-40G	2 x 40 Gigabit Ethernet network modules	Supported	See note

Note:    The C3850-NM-4-10G module is supported only on the 48-port Gigabit Ethernet models or on the 12-port or higher 10 Gigabit Ethernet models. The C3850-NM-8x10G and C3850-NM-2x40G modules are supported on the 24-port and 48-port multigigabit switches and also on the 24-port 10G SFP+ switch model. The C3850-NM-4-1G and C3850-NM-2-10G modules are not supported on the 12-port and 24-port SFP+ models.

Table 3.       Network Module Compatibility Matrix

Models	Network Modules
WS-C3850-24T	C3850-NM-4-1G, C3850-NM-2-10G
WS-C3850-48T	C3850-NM-4-1G, C3850-NM-2-10G, C3850-NM-4-10G
WS-C3850-24P	C3850-NM-4-1G, C3850-NM-2-10G
WS-C3850-48P	C3850-NM-4-1G, C3850-NM-2-10G, C3850-NM-4-10G
WS-C3850-48F	C3850-NM-4-1G, C3850-NM-2-10G, C3850-NM-4-10G
WS-C3850-24U	C3850-NM-4-1G, C3850-NM-2-10G
WS-C3850-48U	C3850-NM-4-1G, C3850-NM-2-10G, C3850-NM-4-10G
WS-C3850-24XU	C3850-NM-4-1G, C3850-NM-2-10G, C3850-NM-4-10G, C3850-NM-8-10G, C3850-NM-2-40G
WS-C3850-12X48U	C3850-NM-4-1G, C3850-NM-2-10G, C3850-NM-4-10G, C3850-NM-8-10G, C3850-NM-2-40G
WS-C3850-12S	C3850-NM-4-1G, C3850-NM-2-10G
WS-C3850-24S	C3850-NM-4-1G, C3850-NM-2-10G
WS-C3850-12XS	C3850-NM-4-10G
WS-C3850-24XS	C3850-NM-4-10G, C3850-NM-8-10G, C3850-NM-2-40G
WS-C3850-48XS	None

Reference: http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-3850-series-switches/data_sheet_c78-720918.html

Please rate the comment if it is useful

:-)

[stephenpease]

Hi Julio, 

I appreciate the table and it looks like I would need the C3850-NM-4-10G module for the switch, but my question is whether or not I would need a 10G license that is separate from the other main three (LAN Base, IP Base, IP Services). On a switch I currently have, there is a 10G module in it, but the license for 10G operation is an evaluation only (it is on an ME 3600X) and I was wondering if this is common or if most switches will just operate at 10G once the module is installed and only the ME 3600X uses that evaluation license.

Additionally, I appreciate the note on L2TP, but it was not a typo and I am actually looking for layer 2 protocol tunneling (L2PT) license requirements.

Steve

[Julio E. Moisa]

You are welcome :-) 

Usually it is not required, I know for power stack you need IP Base license. But for modules is not required. 

What switch model do you have?

[Julio E. Moisa]

Apologies, I saw you have WS-C3850-48T-S, it uses IP Base. How is displayed on this link, the module for 4x10GE should work fine on your device, it is supported.

With IP Base Software

Models	Total Gigabit Ethernet (GE) Ports	Total Multi-Gigabit Ethernet Ports	Default AC Power Supply/ Available Power over Ethernet (PoE) Power	Optional Network Module	Stack Power
WS-C3850-24T-S	24	-	350 W, no PoE	4 x 1 GE 2 x 10 GE	Yes
WS-C3850-48T-S	48	-	350 W, no PoE	4 x 1 GE 2 x 10 GE 4 x 10 GE	Yes

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/catalyst-3850-series-switches/models-comparison.html

[stephenpease]

The whole idea is I want to purchase a 3850 with a C3850-NM-4-10G. I want to make sure that it will operate at 10G without needing a separate license like my ME3600X. Additionally I need L2PT capability. That's really it. I was hoping to find documentation showing that 10G capability on a new 3850 purchase will not come with an evaluation-only license for 10G.

I appreciate the help, but I am really hoping to find a definitive or authoritative answer. 

The Cisco feature navigator, when searched by platform only shows L2PT as available for 3750, 3650, ME versions, but NO mention of 3850. That is my concern, and I am hoping someone can guide me to where this is written in stone so I don't get a switch that can't do the 2 things I need it to do.

[Julio E. Moisa]

Yeap, I understand, actually depending of the models, they have default licenses, supported modules can be identified on the table.

For example the following switches have the IP Base license by default and they support specific modules:

With IP Base Software

Models	Total Gigabit Ethernet (GE) Ports	Total Multi-Gigabit Ethernet Ports	Default AC Power Supply/ Available Power over Ethernet (PoE) Power	Optional Network Module	Stack Power
WS-C3850-24T-S	24	-	350 W, no PoE	4 x 1 GE 2 x 10 GE	Yes
WS-C3850-48T-S	48	-	350 W, no PoE	4 x 1 GE 2 x 10 GE 4 x 10 GE	Yes
WS-C3850-24P-S	24 PoE+	-	715 W, 435 W	4 x 1 GE 2 x 10 GE	Yes
WS-C3850-48P-S	48 PoE+	-	715 W ,435 W	4 x 1 GE 2 x 10 GE 4 x 10 GE	Yes
WS-C3850-48F-S	48 PoE+	-	1100 W, 800 W	4 x 1 GE 2 x 10 GE 4 x 10 GE	Yes
WS-C3850-12S-S	12 Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP)	-	350 W, no PoE	4 x 1 GE 2 x 10 GE	Yes
WS-C3850-24S-S	24 SFP	-	350 W, no PoE	4 x 1 GE 2 x 10 GE	Yes
WS-C3850-24U-S	24 UPOE	-	1100 W, 800 W	4 x 1 GE 2 x 10 GE	Yes
WS-C3850-48U-S	48 UPOE	-	1100 W, 800 W	4 x 1 GE 2 x 10 GE 4 x 10 GE	Yes
WS-C3850-24XU-S	24 UPOE	24 UPOE	1100 W, 800 W	4 x 1 GE 2 x 10 GE 4 x 10 GE 8 x 10 GE 2 x 40 GE	Yes
WS-C3850-12X48U-S	36 UPOE	12 UPOE	1100 W, 800 W	4 x 1 GE 2 x 10 GE 4 x 10 GE 8 x 10 GE 2 x 40 GE	Yes

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/catalyst-3850-series-switches/models-comparison.html

[stephenpease]

Julio, 

Perhaps I'm not being clear enough. I understand that this module will work with a 3850, that is not the question. Reza originally answered which license supports L2PT, though a link to something detailing that in writing would be great.

However, the main question I now have is --> If I purchase the 3850 with the C3850-NM-4-10G module, will I need a separate license for 10G functionality and is there documentation proving this somewhere on the Cisco website?

[Reza Sharifi · Accepted solution]

Steve,

Perhaps I'm not being clear enough. I understand that this module will work with a 3850, that is not the question. Reza originally answered which license supports L2PT, though a link to something detailing that in writing would be great.

There is no clear document that I could find. So, what I did was to test on a 3850 with IP base license. Here are the options under the interface:

c3850-(config-if)#l2protocol-tunnel ?
  cdp                 Cisco Discovery Protocol
  drop-threshold      Set drop threshold for protocol packets
  lldp                Link Layer Discovery Protocol
  point-to-point      point-to-point L2 Protocol
  shutdown-threshold  Set shutdown threshold for protocol packets
  stp                 Spanning Tree Protocol
  vtp                 Vlan Trunking Protocol
  <cr>

However, the main question I now have is --> If I purchase the 3850 with the C3850-NM-4-10G module, will I need a separate license for 10G functionality and is there documentation proving this somewhere on the Cisco website?

Usually when you purchase the switch with IP Base license, it applies to the entire switch which includes the module for uplinks. That said, I have seen conflicting documents about the use of 4x10Gig. I personally have used the 2x10Gig module but  not the 4x10Gig. So, before purchasing please check with your local SE to make sure 4x10Gig does actually work on this switch.

Couple of other items:

1-The switch you are referring to is not POE and so, if you ever need any POE port, you would have to replace this switch or purchase an additional one.

2-This copper ports on this switch are all 10/100/1000 and cannot be upgraded to 10Gig.

3-Are you trying to use the 4x10Gig module for uplink or for end device connectivity?  This module is usually used for uplink, if this the case, having 2 10Gig for uplink may be sufficient.

HTH

[stephenpease]

Reza, 

I appreciate the help. I think that I'm going to have to get in touch with my sales rep and try to get through to their engineers on both of these issues. I was hoping to find Cisco docs, but they sure don't make it easy to find.

I have a 3850 with IP Base running IOS-XE 03.02.03SE and it does NOT have the l2protocol-tunneling option unfortunately. 

As for the 10G module, I need end device connectivity, so I think that puts me back in touch with the reps.

Appreciate the help, I'll call the Cisco partner and see if they can answer these questions.

[Reza Sharifi]

Hi,

Regarding 4x10G ports, do you need 10Gig copper or fiber? If you need copper than this model (WS-C3850-24XU) supports up to 24 ports of copper 10Gig interfaces.

Also, for L2PT, IP Base license is sufficient.

HTH

[stephenpease]

Reza, 

Thank you for the reply, I should have specified, as I will need fiber (preferably SFPs so I can do either). If I pick up (for example) the WS-C3850-48T-S model with the additional 4x10G interface, will I need another license for that so it runs at 10G? I don't want to get everything only to find that I only have a 90 day evaluation license. Thank you for the info on the L2PT.

Steve

[Julio E. Moisa]

Hi

About the 10G ports question, it is based on hardware, if your switch supports the module it will be able to work with 10G

:-)

[stephenpease]

Julio, 

I had replied to your other post, but "if your switch supports the module it will be able to work with 10G" is accurate in the sense that is will be able to, but I'm concerned what is required. As mentioned in my other reply, I have an ME3600X switch that has a 10G interface. So it has the capability, but the problem is that the license for 10G is separate and in evaluation. That is my concern, I don't want to be left with an evaluation license, rather I need it to be permanent.

Steve