Smart Licensing
A new way to think about software licensing
Smart Licensing
At the core is Smart Licensing, a flexible approach that streamlines the management of your software licenses.
Smart Account
A Smart Account is used to create users and groups, and organize licenses according to your business needs.
Cisco Smart Software Manager (CSSM)
CSSM is an intuitive portal where you can activate and manage all of your Cisco licenses. An On-Prem version is available for security-sensitive customers.
Contact Cisco
View Smart License documentation by product
Choose product family:
ZK Research white paper: How to get the most out of your infrastructure investments with Smart Licensing
Read how Cisco is changing its approach to software licensing and how it’s significantly more flexible than traditional licensing models.
What makes Smart Licenses different?
Classic Licenses:
Limited view
Customers often do not know what licenses they own.
PAK registration
Customers must manually register each device with a product activation key.
Device-specific
Licenses are specific to only one device.
Smart Licenses:
Complete view
Software, services, and devices are all visible in an easy-to-use portal.
Easy registration
No product activation keys (PAKs) needed. Activation is easy and software is ready to use.
Company-specific
Flexible licensing with use across all devices.
Deployment options for different security profiles
Direct
Direct cloud access with Cisco Smart Software Manager (CSSM).
On-premises
On-premises access with Cisco Smart Software Manager On-Prem.
Offline
Offline access through License Reservation.
Recommended for you
Smart Licensing podcast
In this episode of Cisco Champion Radio with Cisco’s Donnie Savage and Cisco Champion host Daren Fulwell you’ll learn everything you need to know about Smart Licensing.
Smart Licensing Deployment Options white paper
Learn how Smart Licensing works, why it’s important and what deployment options are available.
Smart Licensing: Five Myths Debunked blog
Smart Licensing provides insight into software license ownership and consumption. Take a look at five myths and the truth behind them.
Smart Accounts are foundational to Smart Licensing
To use Smart Licensing, you must first set up a Cisco Smart Account.
Smart Enabled Product Families
See product overview, features, and behaviors specific to Smart Licensing.
Resources
Cisco Smart Software Manager satellite (On-Prem)
Tutorials
Learn the basics
- (Video - 5:44 min)
- Introduction to Smart Licenses (PDF - 1.7 MB)
- (Video - 11:51 min)
- Introduction to Cisco SSM satellite (PDF - 1.7 MB)
Manage Smart Licenses
- (Video - 7:01 min)
- Convert Classic Licenses to Smart Licenses (Video - 6:45 min)
- Smart Accounts & Smart Licensing API
- Additional Training Resources