Anyconnect v4.4.x licensing requirement

[SIMMN]

Hi,

I have a set of ASA-x with Anyconnect Premium license and anyconnect v3.1.x is hosted on the ASA. I read through the FAQ and Ordering guide for Anyconnect v4.4.x but none of those helped me answer question below:

What is the consequences from End-user perspective if I loaded anyconnect v4.4.x onto my ASA with my current Anyconnect Premium license?

As part of non-interruptive testing, I did manually install latest 4.4.x version of anyconnect on my windows 10 and connect the VPN without any issue (no changes was done on ASA).

So someone help me clarify please.

[Rahul Govindan]

If you load the new Anyconnect 4.4 release on the ASA, end users will go through an automatic upgrade process to the new release when they connect to the ASA the next time. Other than that, there should be no difference in the whole connection process. 

[SIMMN]

Thanks. If I understand correctly, I can keep using Anyconnect 4.4.x with my existing Anyconnect Premium license? If so, then why is Anyconnect Plus/Apex license requirement?

[Rahul Govindan · Accepted solution]

The AnyConnect Plus/Apex license provides entitlement to download/use/get support AnyConnect 4.x and above releases from Cisco. 

As per the AnyConnect ordering guide:

An active subscription or an active SWSS contract is required for all software access and technical support. Please note that support contracts for the headend termination devices (ASA, ISE, etc.) must be purchased separately. AnyConnect 4.x licensed customers are also entitled to earlier AnyConnect releases

The new license itself works in the same way as the AnyConnect Essentials/Premium on the ASA. So technically, AnyConnect 4.x should work with the Premium licenses as of today, but Cisco could start enforcing this in a future ASA release.

[SIMMN]

Now I am clear. New license is mainly for support for now.

Thanks.