Cisco NX-OS Licensing

Cisco NX-OS Licensing

Generally, licensing for Cisco Nexus switches that run Cisco NX-OS software can be achieved using the Cisco NX-OS Licensing. This types of licensing lets you to access certain premium features on your device after you install the appropriate license for that feature. Currently, the following licensing models are available for Cisco NX-OS devices like Cisco Nexus 9000 family:

• Tier-Based Licenses
• Feature-Based Licenses
• Module-based Licenses
• Bundle/Chassis-based Licenses
• Honor Mode Licensing

Cisco Tier-Based Licenses

Cisco Tier-based licensing is available for some Cisco Nexus 9000 and 3000 Series switches. This type of licensing can be applied to both Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) and NX-OS standalone architectures where these switches is deployed. For Cisco Nexus platforms that do not support tier-based licensing, we offer only the NX-OS standalone feature-based licenses.

The -XM licenses apply to modular switches; the -GF licenses apply to switches with less than 3.6 Tbps; the -XF licenses apply to switches with more than 3.6 Tbps and less than 6.4 Tbps; and the -XF2 licenses apply to switches with more than 6.4 Tbps.

Cisco Subscription-based

Furthermore, a subscription-based license allows you to purchase a license for a specific period of time based on your requirement. These licenses are available as an Essentials, Advantage, or Premier license package. Moreover, by using these licenses you have the opportunity to adjust/upgrade the terms of the license (such as moving from Advantage to Premier) at the time of license renewal such as NX-OS upgrade licenses.

The following options are available when you order an Essentials or Advantage package for Nexus 9000 family switches:

Cisco ONE subscription license for DCN (Cisco ACI+NX-OS) for 3, 5, or 7 years

Also, you can use the following licenses to upgrade from an NX-OS LAN Enterprise Services license to an NX-OS Essentials or Advantage license.

Cisco Perpetual Licenses

A perpetual license enables you to make a one-time purchase of a license that does not expire. A perpetual license is offered as an Essentials or Advantage license package but is not available as a Premium license. The following licenses are available in perpetual term:

• Non-Cisco ONE perpetual license for DCN (ACI+NX-OS)
• Non-Cisco ONE perpetual license for NX-OS

To be added, customers can register all product instances using Cisco Permanent License Reservation (PLR License) in full state and forever.

Cisco Add-on Licenses

Moreover, several add-on licenses are also available, which can be added to either tier or purchased independently.

*Secure VXLAN EVPN Multi-Site using CloudSec is supported only on Cisco Nexus 9300-FX2 platform switches.

Feature support varies by platform and release. See the Nexus Switch Platform Support Matrix to determine which features are supported for your platform.

Feature-Based Licenses

Feature-based licenses make features available to the entire physical device. Therefore, you only require one copy of the license for a device. A license only supports the listed features. Licenses may be specific to a particular hardware platform.

Any feature that is not included in a license package is bundled with the Cisco NX-OS software and is provided at no extra charge to you.