UCS server support beyond year 3

[billmatthews]

Hello,

I'm in the early stages of considering some Cisco servers.  Specifically the UCS C240 M3.  At this point I'm just configuring them online for ballpark pricing, I haven't yet engaged a partner. I see when configuring options, SmartNet 24x7x4 is available for one year or three years.  My application requires that I find hardware with a 5 year support option. 

If I purchase it now with 3 years, will I be able to extend my SmartNet contract yearly after that? Assuming of course the product hasn't been EoL'd.

And to estimate the year 4/5 costs, should I just look at part number CON-OSP-C420M3, which appears to be about $660 online.  Again -- ballpark pricing only at this point.

Thanks

Bill

[Robert Burns · Accepted solution]

Bill,

Yes you can extend your support agreement at any time.  The purchase comes by default with 3 years of support.  Even when the EoL is announced, there's still a period where it's sold.  When the End of Sale notice is reached, then we have 5 years from that period for full TAC support on all products.

Full details of our support lifecycle are here:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/products_end-of-life_policy.html

Be careful when you're "ball parking" cost.  Cisco is notorious for our delta between list and actual sale cost.  Ensure you engage a partner to get comparable pricing when looking across each vendor.

Best of Luck and let us know if you have any questions during your comparision. 

Regards,

Robert

[billmatthews]

Great info, thanks