IOS XR licensing

[Alex1901]

Hello everyone. Can someone explain the details of IOS XR licensing for versions later than 24? Is traditional licensing without subscriptions still available? For example, if my device does not have access to CSSM for more than 90 days and transitions to an out-of-compliance state, will any functionality be restricted?

Here’s another example: If I buy an ASR 9902 with a minimal set of licenses, is it possible to activate all functionality without connecting to CSSM? Am I correct in understanding that all RTU functionality (i.e., just entering commands to activate the desired functionality) will work? And in the case of missing licenses and being in an out-of-compliance state, will the ability to update software be restricted, along with the lack of technical support?

[Ramblin Tech]

Cisco has largely moved to a subscription model and away from perpetual RTUs in order to show Wall Street a recurring revenue stream. They are not alone in doing this as it has become the industry norm, despite there never having been a single customer in the history of the universe asking their vendors to do business this way.

Anyway… take a look at the Cisco IOS XR Licensing collection, especially the IOS XR Smart Licensing doc, which should answer most of your questions.

To answer your specific question as to whether you can “activate all functionality without connecting to CSSM”: yes, you can, depending on what you mean by “all functionality”. To stay in-compliance from a licensing standpoint, you can use either a proxy CSSM that you manage on-prem (and periodically sync with Cisco’s cloud-based CSSM), or you can operate completely off-line with SLR (Specific License Registration). There are trade-offs associated with each of the on-line, on-prem, and SLR options that you should discuss with your account team.

OTOH, if you are wondering if you can gain access to all functions (Advantage license) and ports (Flexible Consumption Model), even those that you did not license by installing an Essentials license and keeping the system offline, then no. IIRC, a valid license for Advantage and all activated ports must be installed before such licenses can become out-of-compliance by not being in contact with CSSM for 90 days.