Do Catalyst Switches require DNAC or Prime?

[modular182]

Do Catalyst 9200 or 9300 switches require Cisco DNA or Prime to manage their licenses or can I license them from their CLI? Is it possible to just buy a pair of Cat 9200s and set them up in a network without buying anything else? Thank you in advance for your help.

[OrlandoGM · Accepted solution]

Hello @modular182!

Catalyst Switches require a DNA License when purchasing for the first time. Renewal is optional.

Cisco Prime and Cisco DNA Center are two different Network Management solutions where you can manage your devices (and licensing included). You can definitely have your switches operating normally on your network without Prime or DNAC, they are just additional solutions.

Hope it's helpful

Orlando González.