If you are interested in buying Cisco equipment, you have a number of options. You can buy equipment directly from Cisco or from authorized Cisco resellers. You can buy equipment new or used. Cisco hardware may be freely resold or leased.
However, there are issues to consider before you buy used or "secondary market" equipment. (Secondary-market equipment is equipment purchased from a seller that is not an authorized Cisco reseller.)
The embedded Cisco software that runs on the hardware—as well as Cisco standalone software—is not transferable unless specifically allowed under the Cisco Software License Transfer and Re-Use Policy. If you purchase used or secondary-market Cisco equipment, you must acquire a new license from Cisco before the software can be used.
Used and secondary-market equipment is not covered under the Cisco standard warranty. Nor can you place it under a Cisco service and support contract unless it is relicensed by Cisco and has passed our inspection.
We can help you buy used or secondary-market Cisco equipment with confidence. In the Cisco Hardware Inspection and Software Relicensing Program, we inspect the equipment and relicense the software. Leasing companies that want to re-lease a Cisco product to another customer after the original lease term has expired can also participate in the program.
This program protects Cisco intellectual property, and it protects your network. You can be assured that the equipment is in proper condition, that it is running the safest and most appropriate software, and that it can deliver the full value you expect.(Note: If you do not wish to go through the relicensing and inspecting of used or secondary-market equipment, you can buy refurbished equipment for 25 to 75 percent off the original list price through Cisco Refresh. For more information, visit: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/remanufactured.html.)
This page provides an overview of the Cisco policies governing used and secondary-market equipment and software relicensing. In the section "Using the Program," you will find the steps you take to have Cisco products relicensed and inspected.
To take advantage of the Cisco Hardware Inspection and Software Relicensing Program, please contact your Cisco account manager or service account manager, or email the request to tss-inspections@cisco.com.
Cisco software—whether it is embedded operating system software or standalone application software—is not transferable unless specifically allowed under the Cisco Software License Transfer and Re-Use Policy. You must have Cisco's written consent and pay a license fee. After a transfer, the previous owner’s license to the software is terminated, and the transferee’s use of the software is governed by the Cisco End User License Agreement and in accordance with the original license entitlement.
This Software License Transfer and Re-Use Policy applies to all Cisco software, whether standalone, embedded software on hardware that is resold or on equipment that is re-leased to a new customer after the original lease term expired. Certain exceptions to the Policy requirement to pay a new license fee apply. They include:
For more details visit the Cisco Software License Transfer and Re-Use Policy.
The Cisco standard warranty and Cisco service and support contracts are not transferable. That means that any purchase of used or secondary-market Cisco equipment is not covered by the Cisco standard warranty and is not eligible for coverage by a Cisco support contract even if it is purchased through a Cisco channel partner or distributor.
Before used or secondary-market equipment can be placed under a new support contract, the requester must show proof of a valid software license and must have the equipment inspected to confirm that it is in proper working order and has been maintained appropriately. For more details visit the Non-Entitlement to Cisco Warranty and Service Support of Secondary Market Products Policy.
Customers who are interested in used or secondary-market Cisco equipment, but who do not wish to go through the process of relicensing and inspection, can buy remanufactured products through Cisco Refresh. For more information, visit: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/remanufactured.html.
To take advantage of the Cisco Hardware Inspection and Software Relicensing Program, purchasers of used and secondary-market equipment must follow these steps:
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| Routers |
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| Switches |
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Q: How does Cisco define "used and secondary-market equipment" that qualifies for this program?
A: Cisco defines used equipment as previously owned equipment that is now owned by a party other than the original customer. Secondary-market equipment is any Cisco equipment—whether it is represented as new, used, or refurbished—that is purchased from a seller that is not an authorized Cisco reseller or distributor. This includes both opened and unopened equipment. Previously owned equipment purchased from an unauthorized reseller cannot be placed under a service contract without being reinspected and possibly relicensed.
Q: Is a Cisco software license transferable?
A: No, unless it is specifically allowed under the Cisco Software License Transfer and Re-Use Policy. Cisco software licenses are not transferable from user to user unless otherwise stated by Cisco or required by applicable law. Any purchaser of used or secondary-market Cisco equipment is required to relicense the software. For further details read the End User License Agreement.
What if I do not wish to go through the relicensing and inspection process? Do I have other options?
A:You can purchase new equipment, or you can purchase refurbished equipment through Cisco Refresh for 25 to 75 percent off the original list price.
| Purchase Method | Benefit |
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| Purchase new equipment from an authorized Cisco reseller or from Cisco |
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| Purchase Cisco Certified Refurbished Equipment |
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| Purchase used or secondary-market equipment and have it relicensed and inspected |
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Q: Is the Cisco product warranty transferable?
A: No. The Cisco product warranty is nontransferable. A warranty is provided solely to the original end user of the equipment.
Q: Are service maintenance contracts such as Cisco Smart Net Total Care contracts transferable?
A: No. Standard service maintenance contracts are not transferable from user to user. Please contact your local legal counsel or contract manager if you have questions regarding any specially negotiated terms.
Q: Will Cisco support used and secondary-market equipment?
A: Cisco will offer support services for used and secondary-market equipment if the following criteria are met:
Q: How does one show proof of a valid software license?
A: Proof of a valid software license can be in the form of:
Q: Does the equipment inspection process certify that the product is operating according to manufacturer specifications?
A: No. The equipment inspection verifies basic operational and physical equipment requirements that will be supported through a Cisco service contract.
Q: Does the equipment inspection come with a guarantee or an additional warranty?
A: No. The equipment inspection verifies basic operational and physical equipment requirements that will be supported through a Cisco service contract.
Q: Is the equipment inspection service available globally?
A: Equipment inspections can be ordered in many locations globally. For specific locations, please contact the Cisco Total Implementation Solutions (TIS) team at tss-inspections@cisco.com
Q: Are equipment inspections available through all Cisco Authorized Channels?
A: Yes. Equipment inspections are available through all Cisco Authorized Channels.
Q: How much advance notice is needed to schedule an equipment inspection?
A: The following notice is required:
Q: What if the equipment does not pass inspection? Do I still need to pay the inspection fee?
A: Yes. The inspection fee covers the onsite inspection cost, which is incurred prior to the results of inspection.
Q: Where can I see the service descriptions for the inspections program?
A: The service descriptions for the inspections program can be seen at the following links:
Q: Are the prices of inspections chassis based?
A: Yes.
Q: If Cisco equipment has been declared permanently damaged, out of commission, or permanently unusable, can it be inspected and then be declared usable and serviceable?
A: No. Once equipment has been declared permanently damaged, out of commission or permanently unusable, it cannot be inspected, and it cannot be placed under a service contract.
Q: Whom do I contact if I need further assistance?
A: For further assistance, please contact: tss-inspections@cisco.com
Q: If I purchase a service contract from Cisco for used or secondary-market equipment, what costs will I incur?
A: You may incur the following types of fees:
Q: If I have multiple pieces of Cisco equipment at a single location, is the inspection fee charged per site location or per chassis?
A: Inspection fees are charged per chassis.
Q: Can the inspections program be used to recertify equipment that has been damaged from fire, flood, hurricane, or other natural or environmental events?
A: No. Use the global Compromised Equipment Return-to-Service (CERtS) process to determine under what circumstances (if any) the affected Cisco equipment may be re-entitled for Cisco maintenance and other Cisco services. Please initiate the CERtS process by emailing certs-engage@cisco.com
Q: How can I tell serial numbers have the compliance hold?
A: See Link: Verifying Compliance Flagged-Installed Serial Numbers.
Q: I am having trouble placing the order for the inspection
A: Please refer to the ASF Ordering Guide. Other supplementary guides: Register with Cisco and Associate Myself with a Company.