- Preface
- New and Changed Information
- Overview
-
- Configuring Ethernet Interfaces
- Configuring VLANs
- Configuring Private VLANs
- Configuring Access and Trunk Interfaces
- Configuring EtherChannels
- Configuring Virtual Port Channels
- Configuring Rapid PVST+
- Configuring Multiple Spanning Tree
- Configuring STP Extensions
- Configuring the MAC Address Table
- Configuring IGMP Snooping
- Configuring Traffic Storm Control
-
- Configuring Fibre Channel Interfaces
- Configuring Domain Parameters
- Configuring N Port Virtualization
- Configuring VSAN Trunking
- Configuring SAN Port Channel
- Configuring and Managing VSANs
- Configuring and Managing Zones
- Distributing Device Alias Services
- Configuring Fibre Channel Routing Services and Protocols
- Managing FLOGI, Name Server, FDMI, and RSCN Databases
- Discovering SCSI Targets
- Advanced Fibre Channel Features and Concepts
- Configuring FC-SP and DHCHAP
- Configuring Port Security
- Configuring Fabric Binding
- Configuring Fabric Configuration Servers
- Configuring Port Tracking
- Configuration Limits
- Index
Contents
- Managing Licenses
- Licensing Terminology
- Licensing Model
- Licence Installation
- Obtaining a Factory-Installed License
- Performing a Manual Installation
- Obtaining the License Key File
- Installing the License Key File
- Backing Up License Files
- Identifying License Features in Use
- Uninstalling Licenses
- Updating Licenses
- Grace Period Alerts
- License Transfers Between Switches
- Verifying the License Configuration
Managing Licenses
This chapter describes how to manage licenses on Cisco Nexus 5000 Series switches. It contains the following sections:
- Licensing Terminology
- Licensing Model
- Licence Installation
- Obtaining the License Key File
- Installing the License Key File
- Backing Up License Files
- Identifying License Features in Use
- Uninstalling Licenses
- Updating Licenses
- Grace Period Alerts
- License Transfers Between Switches
- Verifying the License Configuration
Licensing Terminology
Licensing allows you to access specified premium features on the switch after you install the appropriate license for that feature. This information describes licensing types, options, procedures, installation, and management for a Cisco Nexus 5000 Series switch.
The following terms are used:
-
Licensed feature—Permission to use a particular feature through a license file, a hardware object, or a legal contract. This permission is limited to the number of users, number of instances, time span, and the implemented switch.
-
Licensed application—A software feature that requires a license to be used.
-
License enforcement—A mechanism that prevents a feature from being used without first obtaining a license.
-
Node-locked license—A license that can only be used on a particular switch using the switch’s unique host ID.
-
Host IDs—A unique chassis serial number that is specific to each switch.
-
Proof of purchase—A document entitling its rightful owner to use licensed features on one switch as described in that document. The proof of purchase document is also known as the claim certificate.
-
Product Authorization Key (PAK)—The PAK allows you to obtain a license key from one of the sites listed in the proof of purchase document. After registering at the specified website, you will receive your license key file and installation instructions through e-mail.
-
License key file—A switch-specific unique file that specifies the licensed features. Each file contains digital signatures to prevent tampering and modification. License keys are required to use a licensed feature. License keys are enforced within a specified time span.
-
Missing license—If the bootflash has been corrupted or a supervisor module replaced after you have installed a license, that license shows as "missing." The feature still works, but the license count is inaccurate. You should reinstall the license as soon as possible.
-
Incremental license—An additional licensed feature that was not in the initial license file. License keys are incremental. If you purchase some features now and others later, the license file and the software detect the sum of all features for the specified switch.
-
Evaluation license—A temporary license. Evaluation licenses are time bound (valid for a specified number of days) and are not tied to a host ID (switch serial number).
-
Permanent license—A license that is not time bound is called a permanent license.
-
Grace period—The amount of time the features in a license package can continue functioning without a license.
-
Support—If you purchased Cisco support through a Cisco reseller, contact the reseller directly. If you purchased support directly from Cisco Systems, contact Cisco Technical Support at this URL: http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/687/Directory/DirTAC.shtml
Licensing Model
The licensing model for the Cisco NX-OS software is feature-based. Feature-based licenses make features available to the entire physical switch. The following table lists the feature-based license packages.
 Note | Any feature not included in the Storage Services license package is bundled with the Cisco NX-OS software and is provided with the switch hardware at no additional charge (See Base Services Package in the table). |
Licence Installation
Obtaining a Factory-Installed License
You can obtain factory-installed licenses for a new Cisco Nexus 5000 Series switch.
To obtain a factory-installed license, perform this task:
1. Contact your reseller or Cisco representative and request this service.
2. Your switch is shipped with the required licenses installed in the system. The proof of purchase document is sent along with the switch.
3. Obtain the host ID from the proof of purchase document for future use.
DETAILED STEPS
| Step 1 | Contact your reseller or Cisco
representative and request this service.
| ||
| Step 2 | Your switch is shipped with the required licenses installed in the system. The proof of purchase document is sent along with the switch. | ||
| Step 3 | Obtain the host ID from the proof of purchase document for future use. |
Performing a Manual Installation
All Cisco Nexus 5000 Series licenses are factory-installed. Manual installation is not required.
Obtaining the License Key File
To obtain new or updated license key files, perform this task:
1. Use the show license host-id command to obtain the serial number for your switch. The host ID is also referred to as the switch serial number.
2. Obtain either your claim certificate or your proof of purchase document. This document accompanies every Cisco Nexus 5000 Series switch.
3. Get the product authorization key (PAK) from either the claim certificate or the proof of purchase document.
4. Locate the website URL from either the claim certificate or the proof of purchase document.
5. Access the specified URL that applies to your switch and enter the switch serial number and the PAK.
6. Use the copy licenses command in EXEC mode to save your license file to one of two locations; either the bootflash or the volatile directory.
DETAILED STEPS
Installing the License Key File
To install a license key file in any switch, perform this task:
1. Log into the switch through the console port.
2. Perform the installation by entering the install license command from the switch console.
3. Back up the license file to a .tar file on bootflash: using the copy licenses command.
4. Exit the switch console and open a new terminal session to view all license files installed on the switch using the show license command.
DETAILED STEPS
| Step 1 | Log into the switch through the console port. | ||
| Step 2 | Perform the installation by entering
the
install
license command from the switch console.
switch# install license bootflash:license_file.lic Installing license ..done
| ||
| Step 3 | Back up the license file to a .tar
file on bootflash: using the
copy
licenses command.
switch# copy licenses bootflash:/Enterprise.tar Backing up license done | ||
| Step 4 | Exit the switch console and open a
new terminal session to view all license files installed on the switch using
the
show license
command.
switch# show license Enterprise.lic: SERVER this_host ANY VENDOR cisco INCREMENT ENTERPRISE_PKG cisco 1.0 permanent uncounted \ HOSTID=VDH=FOX0646S017 \ NOTICE="<LicFileID></LicFileID><LicLineID>0</LicLineID> \ <PAK>dummyPak</PAK>" SIGN=EE9F91EA4B64
You can use the show license brief command to display a list of license files installed on the switch. switch# show license brief Enterprise.lic FibreChannel.lic You can use the show license file command to display information about a specific license file installed on the switch. switch# show license file Enterprise.lic Enterprise.lic: SERVER this_host ANY VENDOR cisco INCREMENT ENTERPRISE_PKG cisco 1.0 permanent uncounted \ HOSTID=VDH=FOX0646S017 \ NOTICE="<LicFileID></LicFileID><LicLineID>0</LicLineID> \ <PAK>dummyPak</PAK>" SIGN=EE9F91EA4B64 |
Backing Up License Files
All installed license files can be backed up as a .tar file in the user specified location. Use the copy licenses command in EXEC mode to save your license file to one of two locations; bootflash: or volatile:. The following example saves all licenses to a file named Enterprise.tar:
switch# copy licenses bootflash:/Enterprise.tar
Backing up license done
 Tip | We recommend backing up your license files immediately after installing them and just before running a write erasecommand. |
 Caution | If you erase any existing licenses, you can only install them using the install license command. |
Identifying License Features in Use
When a Cisco NX-OS software feature is enabled, it can activate a license grace period. To identify the features active for a specific license, use the show license usage license-name command.
switch# show license usage FC_FEATURES_PKG
Application
-----------
PFM
-----------
Use the show license usage command to identify all of the active features on your switch.
switch# show license usage
Feature Ins Lic Status Expiry Date Comments
Count
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FM_SERVER_PKG No - Unused -
ENTERPRISE_PKG No - In use Grace 119D 23H
FC_FEATURES_PKG Yes - In use never -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Uninstalling Licenses
You can only uninstall a permanent license that is not in use. If you try to delete a permanent license that is currently being used, the software rejects the request with an error message. Uninstalling an unused license initiates the grace period. The grace period is measured from the first use of the feature without a license and is reset when a valid license file is installed.
Note | Permanent licenses cannot be uninstalled if they are currently being used. Features turned on by permanent licenses must first be disabled, before that license is uninstalled. |
If you are using an evaluation license and would like to install a new permanent license, you can do so without service disruption and before the evaluation license expires. Removing an evaluation license immediately triggers a grace period without service disruption.
Caution | Disable related features before uninstalling a license. The delete procedure fails if the license is in use. |
1. Save your running configuration to a remote server using the copy command
2. Enter the show license brief command in EXEC mode to view a list of all installed license key files and identify the file to be uninstalled. In this example, the file to be uninstalled is the FibreChannel.lic file.
3. Disable the features provided by the license to be uninstalled. Enter the show license usage package-name command to view the enabled features for a specified package.
4. Uninstall the FibreChannel.lic file using the clear license filename command, where filename is the name of the installed license key file.
5. Enter yes (yes is the default) to continue with the license update.
DETAILED STEPS
| Step 1 | Save your running configuration to a remote server using the copy command |
| Step 2 | Enter the
show license brief command in EXEC mode to
view a list of all installed license key files and identify the file to be
uninstalled. In this example, the file to be uninstalled is the
FibreChannel.lic file.
switch# show license brief Enterprise.lic FibreChannel.lic |
| Step 3 | Disable the features provided by the
license to be uninstalled. Enter the
show license usage
package-name command to view the enabled
features for a specified package.
switch# show license usage FC_FEATURES_PKG Application ----------- PFM ----------- |
| Step 4 | Uninstall the FibreChannel.lic file
using the
clear license
filename command, where
filename is the name of the
installed license key file.
switch# clear license FibreChannel.lic Clearing license FibreChannel.lic: SERVER this_host ANY VENDOR cisco |
| Step 5 | Enter
yes (yes
is the default) to continue with the license update.
Do you want to continue? (y/n) yes Clearing license ..done The FibreChannel.lic license key file is now uninstalled. |
Updating Licenses
If your license is time bound, you must obtain and install an updated license. Contact technical support to request an updated license.
Note | If you purchased Cisco support through a Cisco reseller, contact the reseller directly. If you purchased support directly from Cisco Systems, contact Cisco Technical Support at this URL: http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/687/Directory/DirTAC.shtml |
To update a license, perform this task:
1. Obtain the updated license file using the following procedure:
2. Save your running configuration to a remote server using the copy command.
3. Enter the show license brief command to verify the name of the file to be updated.
4. Update the license file using the update license url command, where url specifies the bootflash or volatile location of the updated license file.
5. Enter yes (yes is the default), to continue with the license update.
DETAILED STEPS
| Step 1 | Obtain the updated license file using
the following procedure:
|
| Step 2 | Save your running configuration to a remote server using the copy command. |
| Step 3 | Enter the
show license
brief command to verify the name of the file to be updated.
switch# show license brief Enterprise.lic: |
| Step 4 | Update the license file using the
update
license
url command,
where
url specifies the bootflash or
volatile location of the updated license file.
switch# update license bootflash:Advanced2.lic Advanced1.lic Updating Advanced1.lic: SERVER this_host ANY VENDOR cisco # An example fcports license INCREMENT SAN_EXTN_OVER_IP cisco 1.000 permanent 1 HOSTID=VDH=ABCD \ NOTICE=<LicFileID>Advanced1.lic</LicFileID><LicLineID>0</LicLineID> \ SIGN=33088E76F668 with bootflash:/Advanced2.lic: SERVER this_host ANY VENDOR cisco # An example fcports license INCREMENT SAN_EXTN_OVER_IP cisco 1.000 permanent 1 HOSTID=VDH=ABCD \ NOTICE=<LicFileID>Advanced2.lic</LicFileID><LicLineID>1</LicLineID> \ SIGN=67CB2A8CCAC2 |
| Step 5 | Enter
yes (yes is
the default), to continue with the license update.
Do you want to continue? (y/n) y Updating license ..done The Enterprise.lic license key file is now updated. |
Grace Period Alerts
Cisco NX-OS gives you a 120-day grace period. This grace period starts or continues when you are evaluating a feature for which you have not installed a license.
The grace period stops if you disable a feature you are evaluating, but if you enable that feature again without a valid license, the grace period countdown continues from when it had stopped.
The grace period operates across all features in a license package. License packages can contain several features. If you disable a feature during the grace period and there are other features in that license package that are still enabled, the countdown does not stop for that license package. To suspend the grace period countdown for a license package, you must disable every feature in that license package. Use the show license usage license-name command to determine which applications to disable.
switch# show license usage FC_FEATURES_PKG
Application
-----------
PFM
-----------
The Cisco NX-OS license counter keeps track of all licenses on a switch. If you are evaluating a feature and the grace period has started, you will receive console messages, SNMP traps, system messages, and Call Home messages on a daily basis.
The frequency of these messages become hourly during the last seven days of the grace period.
Note | You cannot modify the frequency of the grace period messages. |
Caution | After the final seven days of the grace period, the feature is turned off and your network traffic may be disrupted. Any future upgrade will enforce license requirements and the 120-day grace period. |
Use the show license usage command to display grace period information for a switch.
switch# show license usage
Feature Installed License Status ExpiryDate Comments
Count
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FM_SERVER_PKG Yes - Unused never license missing
MAINFRAME_PKG No - Unused never Grace Period 57days15hrs
ENTERPRISE_PKG Yes - InUse never -
SAN_EXTN_OVER_IP No 0 Unused never -
SAN_EXTN_OVER_IP_IPS4 No 0 Unused never -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
License Transfers Between Switches
A license is specific to the switch for which it is issued and is not valid on any other switch. If you need to transfer a license from one switch to another, contact your customer service representative.
Note | If you purchased Cisco support through a Cisco reseller, contact the reseller directly. If you purchased support directly from Cisco Systems, contact Cisco Technical Support at this URL: http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/687/Directory/DirTAC.shtml |
Verifying the License Configuration
To display the license configuration information, perform one of the following tasks:
switch# show license [brief]
Displays information for all installed license files.
switch# show license file
Displays information for a specific license file.
switch# show license host-id
Displays the host ID for the physical switch.
switch# show license usage
Displays the usage information for installed licenses.