The more we learn about the new Smart Licensing System being rolled out by Cisco, the more surprised we are by how many Cisco customers have yet to hear about it.
The Smart Licensing System will require Catalyst 3650, 3850, and 9000 series switches to connect to the internet daily to validate licensing via a call home to Cisco’s entitlement system. Devices that do not “check in” will suffer a loss of functionality, including the inability to reconfigure without utilizing significant manual workarounds.
Beyond the risks the new system introduces to customers, it heralds a change to owning network hardware: licenses become subscription-based instead of perpetual.
Are you ready for Cisco Smart Licensing? Learn more about the risks it poses to you, and your options to “opt out” in our new post on the XSi blog. 