Unregistered 9800-CL

[gtsgts64]

how to avoid the consequences of not registering the device?

Mar 28 20:40:15.994: %IOSXE_EWLC_LICENSE-2-MSGDEVICENOTREG: Unregistered 9800-CL can only be used in lab. For production usage, please register this device in 24 days. Failure to do so will result in a limited number 50 of Access Points being allowed post this.

[Scott Fella]

I have never ran into that issue when deploying a 9800-CL in my lab multiple times.. You just get a syslog message that is like a nag message.  Take a look at the FAQ:

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

[Scott Fella]

More info from the link=:

Q. Is there license enforcement on 9800 WLC?

A.No. If improperly licensed, 9800 WLC displays out-of-compliance notifications and sends syslog messages.

There is no hard enforcement and no impact on any of the functionalities.If your license expires, your network also keeps functionning.

Q. What is evaluation license and how long does it last?

A.Evaluation license allows you to use all 9800 controller functionalities for 90 days.

When the evaluations period expires, syslog messages and notifications appear and ask you to properly license your controller.

These messages do not affect 9800 functionalities. When the evaluation expires, it cannot be reset.

Q. Is there license enforcement on 9800 WLC?

A.No. If improperly licensed, 9800 WLC displays out-of-compliance notifications and sends syslog messages.

There is no hard enforcement and no impact on any of the functionalities.If your license expires, your network also keeps functionning.

Q. What is evaluation license and how long does it last?

A.Evaluation license allows you to use all 9800 controller functionalities for 90 days.

When the evaluations period expires, syslog messages and notifications appear and ask you to properly license your controller.

These messages do not affect 9800 functionalities. When the evaluation expires, it cannot be reset.

[marce1000]

   - Strange , did you download correct and or designated  9800-CL image , from https://software.cisco.com/download/home/286322605/type/282046477/release/Cupertino-17.9.3 (e.g.)

   M.

[Scott Fella]

Also, what code are you running and what access points.  The license on the newer 91xx are purchased with the access point.  Older ap's you would need to purchase a license if running them in production.  This is a lab correct?

[Rich R · Accepted solution]

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/9800/17-7/release-notes/rn-17-7-9800.html

Smart Licensing Using Policy: Resource Utilization Measurement (RUM) Reporting and Acknowledgment (ACK) Requirement for Cisco Catalyst 9800-CL Wireless Controller
If you are using a Cisco Catalyst 9800-CL Wireless Controller, you must complete RUM reporting and ensure that the ACK is made available on the product instance - at least once. This is to ensure that correct and up-to-date usage information is reflected in CSSM.
The following command is introduced:
   show license air entities
For more information, see the chapter Smart Licensing Using Policy.

From Cisco IOS XE Cupertino 17.7.1 onwards, for Cisco Catalyst 9800-CL Wireless Controller, ensure that you complete Resource Utilization Measurement (RUM) reporting and ensure that the ACK is made available on the product instance at least once. This is to ensure that correct and up-to-date usage information is reflected in the Cisco Smart Software Manager (CSSM).

Note	Starting from Cisco IOS XE Cupertino 17.7.1, the Cisco Catalyst 9800-CL Wireless Controller will not accept more than 50 APs if the smart licensing is not connected and up.

[Weyland]

In our case our On-Prem SSM did not register the product instance correctly, the CSLU address generated in SSM starts with https://nameserver, this require DNS to be turned on at the WLC9800, otherwise it can only handle http://IP so I changed from htts to http and from name to ip and then it registrered as it should. No more license notification.

[Rich R]

We abandoned On-Prem because of too many problems and now use direct connection to Cisco cloud.