Cisco ISR PLR License
As you know, most Cisco products require a license to work at full capacity. While many customers migrate to Cisco Smart License to register their products and use direct connection to Cisco Smart Management Software (SSM) or satellite license server.
But some customers are not satisfied with this solution. This category of customers believes that any outgoing connection compromises their network security. But Cisco has a solution for this concern. The solution is the Cisco PLR license.
To that end, Cisco’s routing and switching product line provides purpose-built networking for WAN, LAN, and cloud networks. In addition, these products include advanced analytics, application optimization, automated provisioning and integrated security to provide a complete and proven solution.
Why is the Cisco PLR license required?
Most customers are still not familiar with the powerful Cisco License Reservation option. In general, permanent license reservation is a part of Cisco smart licensing solution. Using a smart license requires a smart account. Also, the product must be connected to Cisco Smart Software Management System (CSSM) or Smart Management Software (SSM on-Prem) to be able to reactivate and report the latest license status.
But what can some customers who have very secure internal networks with limited internet access do instead of using the license and smart software online? This is where the Cisco Permanent License Reservation or Cisco PLR license comes into play.
How does the Cisco PLR license work?
Cisco PLR license is a permanent solution introduced by Cisco for highly secure network architecture where all outgoing connections are restricted. In fact, to address the challenges of Cisco Smart License Online, Cisco has announced its Cisco Permanent License Reservation License or Cisco PLR license as Smart License Offline.
A Cisco PLR license allows you to register all product instances with all full features on an unlimited and permanent basis (no need to renew) using a reservation code provided by Cisco partners. This solution is similar to legacy PAK licenses and is available mostly for Cisco NXOS, IOS XE/XR, and Cisco Secure product lines.
In addition, since most customers still feel uncomfortable with Cisco smart licensing procedures and find the whole smart account and virtual account concepts confusing, PLR licenses are considered an easy-to-use and intuitive solution that can be easily applied to different devices.
In addition, it can opt out by providing a single authorization code that can permanently activate all premium features and eliminate all the concerns of Cisco Essential, Advantage, and Premier licenses with different features and expiration dates.
How to apply a Cisco PLR license?
On most Cisco IOS/NXOS devices (latest releases), such as Cisco Catalyst switches and Cisco Nexus switches, there are a few simple CLI commands that can generate a reservation code for you. Then, customers should send the code to Cisco sales experts and receive a unique authorization code.
All features are permanently enabled by entering the code in the CLI.
In addition, Cisco security products such as Cisco Identity Service Engine or Cisco ISE, Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center or Cisco FMC, Cisco Secure Firewalls (formerly Cisco Firepower) and Cisco Firewall Threat Defiance or Cisco FTD also support Cisco PLR licenses. This feature can be accessed through the GUI interface.
Cisco PLR license for Network Products
As we said, to address the challenges of its online Smart Licensing, Cisco has announced the Cisco Perpetual License Reservation License or Cisco PLR license as an offline smart license. With the Cisco PLR license, all the features and capabilities are activated for the customer indefinitely and permanently.
Therefore, there is no need to continuously or periodically connect to CSSM or SSMS on the premises server.
Cisco ASR Routers: Cisco ASR routers are feature-rich and scale economically with any bandwidth demand and support the application performance required for utility service needs. Currently Cisco ASR 900, ASR 1000 and ASR 9000 series routers support Cisco PLR license.
Cisco ISR Routers: Cisco ISR routers transform WAN communications in the enterprise branch, ISR 1000 and ISR 4000 series routers support Cisco ISR PLR license.
Cisco CSR1000v Router: Designed for private and public cloud deployments, Cisco CSR1000v routers can reach their full potential using a Cisco PLR license.
Cisco Nexus Switches: Cisco Nexus switches provide a foundation for the future with unmatched capabilities, multi-speed performance, encryption for growing applications and data centers. Currently, most Cisco Nexus models including: Nexus 5000, Nexus 7000, Nexus 9000 support Cisco PLR license.
Cisco Catalyst Switches: Cisco Catalyst switches are designed to meet the needs of rapidly evolving security threats, IoT evolution, cloud integration, and mobility. In the latest IOS XE update, Cisco PLR license is supported on Catalyst 3000 and Catalyst 9000 switches.
Cisco Catalyst 9800 Wireless Network Controller: With support for Wi-Fi, the Catalyst 9800 Wireless Controller strengthens your network and allows it to be deployed anywhere. Cisco PLR license is available for both Cat9800 physical device and Cat980 virtual device.
Cisco ISR License Reservation
Cisco ISR routers provide secure communication in different platforms by using the capabilities of IOS XE. Extensive and powerful facilities in the field of audio and video communication provided by these routers provide secure telephone and video conferences. Also, with the support of virtualization and High Availability, they are considered an attractive option for network design.
Cisco ISR PLR licensed router has two popular series ISR 1000 and ISR 4000. The 1000 series of this product is suitable for use in small and medium-sized organizational branches, and the 4000 series is used in larger dimensions.
This series of Cisco ISR routers supports Cisco Smart License online, through Cisco Smart Account, and offline, using Cisco PLR license. Customers can activate their desired features as below.
Customers must purchase the following licenses using their enterprise smart account through the Cisco website and activate their device online:
- APPXK9 license: to support WAAS and AVC technologies
- Cisco router SecurityK9 license: to support security features
- IP Base license of Cisco router: to support basic routing capabilities
- Cisco router UCK9 license: to support voice and video communication
- Cisco router HSECK9 license: to enable unlimited bandwidth to establish IPSec connections
Of course, you should note that the PLR license is only for use in IOS XE mode. This license is not applicable for IOS XE SD-WAN mode. All device capabilities will be activated in SD-WAN mode using Cisco SD-WAN DNA licenses.
