Perpetual license for Catalyst 9100 series

[Anwar Safian]

Hi expert

Can Cat 9100 access point connect to 3504/5520/8540 wlc using its perpetual license?

Without using DNA license

[marce1000]

 Ref  : https://community.cisco.com/kxiwq67737/attachments/kxiwq67737/4461-blogs-network-infrastructure/984/1/Catalyst%209100%20FAQs.pdf

                                 looks not :

  What are the licensing options for Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access
Points?
A Cisco DNA term-based licenses (AIR-Cisco DNA Licenses) are
mandatory at the purchase of Catalyst 9100 Access Points.
These Access Points support three types of Cisco DNA Licenses:
Cisco DNA Essentials, Cisco DNA Advantage and Cisco DNA Premier.
Cisco DNA subscription licenses have to be purchased for a 3-, 5-,
or 7-year subscription term. However, upon expiry of Cisco DNA
license, Cisco DNA features will expire, whereas network essentials
and network advantage features will remain.

 M.

[Anwar Safian]

Hi marce1000

Thanks for your reply. 

So it means the AP 9100 series won't connect to/ won't work with 3504/5520/8540 wlc if we use only its perpetual license right?

Without DNA license

[siddiqsalih · Accepted solution]

Hi,

I think it's possible to connect 9100 aps to traditional controllers (8540,5520 etc) using perpetual licenses. We have to select DNA-OPT-OUT while configuring 9100 aps in CCW.

Please see the below thread from the 9100 ap FAQ part;

Q.  What are the licensing options for the Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access Points?

A.  Cisco DNA term-based licenses (AIR-Cisco DNA licenses) are mandatory with the purchase of Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access Points (except when connection to the AireOS controllers with sufficient number of perpetual AP/C1 licenses).

Note:         Cisco DNA licenses are required for connecting any access point to the Catalyst 9800 Series Controllers, DNA Center.

[siddiqsalih]

adding FAQ link;

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/catalyst-9100ax-access-points/nb-06-802-11ax-faq-cte-en.html

[jaiwaei36]

Hi Siddiq,

Sorry for replying on this thread. I'm still confuse. Do we still need DNA license for AireOS controller to work with 9100 series AP? 

[JPavonM]

@jaiwaei36 no you don't need such licenses, DNA licenses are optional not mandatory, and the only licenses you need on AireOS WLCs are the usual AP ones.

[jaiwaei36]

Hi @JPavonM , thanks for feedback. If that's the case, my customer's WLC is 5520 and currently using RTU license with a mix of 2700 and 2800 APs. They plan to purchase new 9100 series AP. Can the AP associated to the WLC with the RTU license? Or do I need to convert to smart licensing?

[JPavonM]

There is another interesting FAQ about DNA licenses for Wireless for you to read (Yes, why Cisco does not cover all questions in the same FAQ,? Who knows). See below:

 What does Cisco DNA flexibility on Wi-Fi 6 mean?

A.  Customers will have the option to buy Catalyst 9100 access point hardware and Cisco DNA Software subscription licenses separately. This allows AireOS customers (3504, 5520, and 8540 wireless controllers) with existing perpetual licenses to move to Wi-Fi 6 now and add Catalyst 9800 Series wireless controllers and Cisco DNA Software when they are ready. This also simplifies the process for Cisco DNA Software license portability and spare access points.

That tells you that C9100 would consume perpetual licenses from AireOS WLC (RTU) so you DON'T need to convert them to Smart Licenses.