Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Cisco Certified Refurbished Equipment reliable and safe to use in my network infrastructure?
A: Yes. Cisco Certified Refurbished Equipment undergoes a comprehensive set of refurbishing, testing, and inspection processes:

  • Inspection: Each unit is subjected to a thorough physical and visual inspection at each step of the process.
  • Testing: A comprehensive set of diagnostic, functional and network traffic system tests are performed. Burn-in and/or thermal cycling are performed to ensure product integrity. All units must meet Cisco factory specifications.
  • Repair: Units that fail any inspection and testing are repaired with the faulty components and boards replaced as applicable. The units are then subjected again to functional, network traffic system, burn-in and thermal cycling as applicable.
  • Restore default configuration: Previous configuration and owner information is removed and the unit is returned to default settings. Previous owner information recorded on Cisco databases is also erased.
  • Upgrages: Each unit's serial number is checked against our database to determine if any Engineering Change Orders apply and software/hardware upgrades are performed on that unit in compliance with the Engineering Change Orders.
  • Software: A fully licensed and current shippable release of the software is installed to help ensure maximum performance and network compatibility.
  • Cleaning: Each unit is thoroughly cleaned and detailed. Old labels are removed and new labels applied. New fasteners and new panels are installed as appropriate. Casings are cleaned, touched up or repainted as applicable.
  • Packaging: Units are carefully wrapped, placed in a new protective shipping box and sealed in preparation for delivery.

In addition, Cisco Certified Refurbished Equipment carries the same warranty as equivalent new products and is eligible for the same Cisco SMARTnet and service contracts options.

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Q: What is the difference between Cisco Certified Refurbished Equipment and used Cisco equipment sold by unauthorized resellers?
A: The following table details the differences between Cisco Certified Refurbished Equipment and used equipment sold by non-Cisco sources.

  Cisco Certified Refurbished Equipment Used Cisco Equipment from Non-Cisco Sources
Refurbishing and testing processes
  • Refurbished to factory specifications using Cisco approved parts by the same vendors who service Cisco SMARTnet contracts
  • Upgrades as necessary to comply with post-ship ECOs
  • Identified by "-RF" appended to part number
  • Quality varies by seller
  • No market standard exists for quality of refurbishing process
  • Not all products are refurbished; some are sold as-is
  • No provision to incorporate upgrades to comply with ECOs
Warranty
  • Same warranty terms as Cisco equivalent new products
  • Supports both hardware and software
  • Provided by broker with various terms
  • Warranty applies to hardware only
  • No warranty or support for software issues
Software
  • Sold with Cisco IOS Software license
  • Software upgrade performed as required to comply with ECOs
  • No provision to upgrade software to comply with ECOs (if required)
  • Software on product is nontransferable, and new license must be purchased from Cisco
Support and maintenance
  • Eligible for Cisco SMARTnet maintenance contracts
  • 24-hour phone, online, and onsite support options available
  • Not eligible for Cisco SMARTnet unless you pay inspection fees ($600 to $7000) and purchase software license
Supply
  • Over 2500 different refurbished Cisco products
  • In-stock items ship same day
  • Both current and end-of-sale products
  • Inventory varies from reseller to reseller
  • Quotes based on "shadow" inventory; double-booking of inventory common
  • Availability not guaranteed
Financing
  • Available through third-party financing companies
  • Not all products eligible for financing

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Q: What is an end-of-sale product?

A: End-of-sale product is product that has entered the End-of-Life process as a result of Cisco announcing the end-of-sale and end-of-life of the product. Subsequently, the product is no longer in production and is no longer available to purchase from Cisco. However, Cisco Certified Refurbished Equipment includes both current (in production) and end-of-sale product.

Cisco warranties and Cisco service contracts apply to both current and end-of-sale product. Service contracts for end-of-sale product are generally available up to 5 years from the end-of-sale / end-of-life product announcement.

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Q: Can Cisco Certified Refurbished Equipment be leased or financed?
A: Yes. Cisco Capital offers a variety of easy and flexible financing programs. Combining these programs with Cisco Certified Refurbished Equipment enables customers to lower their total cost of ownership, reduce financial risk, realize tax savings, simplify operating budgets, and make the most of their capital budgets. See more information about the Cisco Capital financing programs.

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Q: What is the ordering process?
A: Orders are sold through authorized Cisco resellers and distributors.

Locate a reseller.

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Q: In what countries is the program available?
A: The Cisco Certified Refurbished Equipment program is offered in the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, Korea, and select countries in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

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