Question 1

What is the Cisco ASA 5500 Security Contexts License?

Accepted Answer

The Cisco ASA 5500 Security Contexts License enables virtualization of a single ASA firewall into multiple logical devices for segmenting security policies and management domains.

Question 2

Which ASA 5500 models support multiple security contexts?

Accepted Answer

The ASA 5510, ASA 5520, ASA 5540, ASA 5550, ASA 5580, and ASA 5590 platforms support multiple security contexts with the appropriate licenses installed.

Question 3

How many security contexts are included in the ASA 5500 Base License?

Accepted Answer

The ASA 5500 Base License includes support for up to two active security contexts.

Question 4

What context license options are available for Cisco ASA 5500?

Accepted Answer

Cisco offers Base (2 contexts), Security Context license for up to 20 contexts (ASA5500-CTX20), and unlimited contexts (ASA5500-CTX-UNL) SKUs for ASA 5510–5590 series.

Question 5

How do I install or enable additional security contexts?

Accepted Answer

Obtain the appropriate license key, register it via Cisco Smart Licensing or local activation, then apply the key on the ASA CLI and reload the device.

Question 6

How can I verify the number of licensed security contexts?

Accepted Answer

Run the ASA CLI command `show license all` or `show context` to display total and used security contexts.

Question 7

What happens if I exceed the licensed number of security contexts?

Accepted Answer

The ASA will deny creation of additional contexts beyond the licensed limit and log a licensing violation error.

Question 8

Can I upgrade my ASA 5500 security contexts license?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Purchase the higher‐tier license SKU, apply the new activation key via Smart Licensing or local install, and reboot the ASA.

Question 9

Are ASA 5500 security contexts licenses perpetual or term based?

Accepted Answer

ASA 5500 security contexts licenses are perpetual and remain valid until hardware retirement or major platform upgrade.

Question 10

How do I purchase a Cisco ASA 5500 security contexts license?

Accepted Answer

Contact an authorized Cisco partner or reseller, reference the ASA model and desired context SKU, and process the order through your Smart Account.

Question 11

Does high availability support multiple security contexts?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Active/standby or active/active HA pairs can mirror multiple contexts as long as each peer has matching context licenses.

Question 12

What are the performance impacts of using multiple security contexts?

Accepted Answer

Each context shares CPU, memory, and throughput resources, so adding contexts may reduce per‐context performance.

Question 13

Can I migrate security contexts to a new ASA platform?

Accepted Answer

You can export each context’s configuration via CLI, transfer the files to the new ASA, import them, and apply the corresponding license keys.

Question 14

Is Smart Licensing required for ASA 5500 contexts?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Cisco Smart Licensing is the preferred method for registering and managing ASA 5500 context licenses and ensures compliance.

Question 15

What limitations should I consider for security contexts?

Accepted Answer

Review ASA platform hardware limits on memory, CPU, and feature support per context; also ensure proper licensing and HA compatibility.

Question 16

What are best practices when deploying multiple security contexts?

Accepted Answer

Define clear naming conventions, allocate sufficient hardware resources, centralize management with ASDM or Firepower Management Center, and maintain consistent licensing.

Security Cisco ASA 5500 Licenses

ASA5500-SC-5 (ASA5500-SC-5 ASA 5500 5 Security Contexts License)

ASA5500-SC-10 (ASA5500-SC-10 ASA 5500 10 Security Contexts License)

ASA5500-SC-20 (ASA5500-SC-20 ASA 5500 20 Security Contexts License)

ASA5500-SC-50 (ASA5500-SC-50 ASA 5500 50 Security Contexts License)

ASA5500-SC-100 (ASA 5500 100 SECURITY CONTEXTS LICS)

L-ASA5510-BOT-1YR= (1YR ASA 5510 BOTNET TRAFFIC FILTER LICENSE)

L-ASA5512-BOT-1YR= (Cisco ASA 5500 Filter Licenses L-ASA5512-BOT-1YR ASA 5512-X Botnet Traffic Filter Lic. for 1 Yr)

ASA5510-BOT-1YR (Cisco ASA 5500 License ASA5510-BOT-1YR ASA 5510 Botnet Traffic Filter License for 1 Year)

L-ASA5515-BOT-1YR= (1YR ASA 5515-X BOTNET TRAFFIC FILTER LICS FOR EDELIVERY)

L-ASA5520-BOT-1YR= (1YR ASA 5520 BOTNET TRAFFIC FILTER LICENSE)

ASA5520-BOT-1YR (Cisco ASA 5500 License ASA5520-BOT-1YR ASA 5520 Botnet Traffic Filter License for 1 Years)

L-ASA5525-BOT-1YR= (1YR ASA 5525-X BOTNET TRAFFIC FILTER LICS FOR EDELIVERY)

L-ASA5540-BOT-1YR= (1YR ASA 5540 BOTNET TRAFFIC FILTER LICENSE)

L-ASA-SC-5= (ASA 5500 5 SECURITY CONTEXTS LI)

ASA5540-BOT-1YR (Cisco ASA 5500 License ASA5540-BOT-1YR ASA 5540 Botnet Traffic Filter License for 1 Year)

L-ASA5550-BOT-1YR= (1YR ASA 5550 BOTNET TRAFFIC FILTER LICENSE)

ASA5545-BOT-1YR= (Cisco ASA 5500 Filter Licenses ASA5545-BOT-1YR ASA 5545-X Botnet Traffic Filter License for 1 Year)

L-ASA5545-BOT-1YR= (1YR BOTNET TRAFFIC FILTER LICS FOR ASA 5545-X ESD)

ASA5550-BOT-1YR (Cisco ASA 5500 License ASA5550-BOT-1YR ASA 5550 Botnet Traffic Filter License for 1 Yea)

L-ASA-SC-5-10= (UPG ASA 5500 5 TO 10 SECURITY CONTEXT LICENSE)

Questions & Answers

What is the Cisco ASA 5500 Security Contexts License?

Which ASA 5500 models support multiple security contexts?

How many security contexts are included in the ASA 5500 Base License?

What context license options are available for Cisco ASA 5500?