HA licensing for Cisco Catalyst 9800-L

[M Tech]

Hello Experts,

We are planning to purchase two Catalyst 9800-L controllers and deploy them in active+standby SSO HA pair mode. I checked Cisco Catalyst 9800-L Data Sheet and Licensing documentation and could not find what type of HA license we are required to buy. Does it mean there is no separate license needed for HA SSO? However, on the 9800 controller licensing FAQs it says that after setting up HA navigate to the licensing page in the web interface and follow the configuration prompt. Then it means we have to buy/activate HA license after setup? 

[Kasun Bandara]

you need two license for HA devices.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/9800/17-1/config-guide/b_wl_17_11_cg/smart-licensing.html

[M Tech]

Hi Kasun,

Thank you very much for your reply. However, in the linked documentation I could not find any licensing information that pertains to High Availability SSO. Sorry, could you please give me more details on what specific two licenses do I need to buy for HA setup?   

[Arshad Safrulla · Accepted solution]

Hi,

You don’t need any specific licenses to setup HA SSO in WLC. However for any APs joining to the 9800 requires AIR-DNA mandatory licenses.

As long as your APs have licenses you don’t need any separate licenses to be ordered. Please read the difference between AIR-DNA Advantage vs Essential license to understand the features available to each licensing tier.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/catalyst-9800-series-wireless-controllers/215635-licensing-on-9800-wireless-lan-controlle.html