Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series, Software Configuration Manual

Page: 193 / 2086

4-15
Catalyst 4500 Series Switch, Cisco IOS Software Configuration Guide - Cisco IOS XE 3.9.xE and IOS 15.2(5)Ex
Chapter 4 Administering the Switch
Managing Software Licenses Using Permanent Right-To-Use Features
•
Activating a PRTU License, page 4-16
• Deactivating a PRTU License, page 4-17
About a PRTU License
The Permanent Right-to-use (PRTU) license is not installable and it cannot be cleared; it is available by
default.
Prior to IOS Release XE 3.4.2SG, when you upgraded from one license level to another (e.g., IP Base
to Entservices), you visited
http://www.cisco.com/go/license , obtained the desired license using your
device’s PAK, and then applied the license on your device.
Note For details of the Cisco IOS activation process, see the Configuring the Cisco IOS Software
Activation Feature guide at this URL:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/ios/csa/configuration/guide/csa_commands.html
With IOS Release XE 3.4.2SG, the PRTU license feature simplifies the process by enabling you to do
the following:
•
Upgrade from a lower license to a higher license using the license right-to-use activate feature
name command.
• Downgrade from a higher license to a lower license using the license right-to-use deactivate
f eature name command.
•
You cannot relocate a PRTU license to another device because the license is bundled with the image.
So, by upgrading the IOS image, you obtain the PRTU license.
Benefits of a PRTU License
• They are not associated with a specific switch.
With the node-locked license model, in a release prior to IOS Cisco XE 3.4.2SG, a license was
applicable to a specific switch UID. Therefore, to activate a license on a new switch, you had to
obtain a new license for the new UID. With PRTU licenses, logging on the Cisco server is un
necessary to download and install the license. The license is available with the image.
• They can be instantly activated on any supported switch.
With the node-locked license model, you open the Cisco Product License Registration Portal to
obtain a license for a new switch that you purchase or an RMA switch that you need to replace. This
process is often cumbersome and lengthy, and applying the license on the new switch is an
error-prone activity. With PRTU licenses, you can apply a license on a switch and activate it
immediately.
• They can be applied without requiring an Internet connection.
With the node-locked license model, you need to access an Internet connection to obtain a license
for your device’s UID. This may be difficult in some deployment scenarios where an Internet
connection is unavailable. With PRTU licenses, you can apply a supported license on any switch at
any time without requiring an Internet connection to interact with the Cisco Product License
Registration Portal.