Question 1

What are the different Cisco Catalyst 9000 switch license tiers?

Accepted Answer

Cisco Catalyst 9000 switch licenses are offered in two network tiers—Network Essentials and Network Advantage—and two DNA software tiers—DNA Essentials and DNA Advantage—to scale features from foundational connectivity to full policy-based automation.

Question 2

How do I choose between Network Essentials and Network Advantage licenses?

Accepted Answer

Choose Network Essentials for basic L2/L3 routing and QoS, and select Network Advantage to unlock advanced features such as OSPF, BGP, multicast, segmented networks, and enhanced telemetry.

Question 3

What features are included in the Network Essentials license?

Accepted Answer

The Network Essentials license provides core capabilities like basic Layer 2 switching, static routing, enhanced QoS, and limited security features for small to mid-size deployments.

Question 4

What additional features does the Network Advantage license provide?

Accepted Answer

The Network Advantage license adds advanced routing (OSPF, BGP), IPv6, MPLS, VXLAN bridging, segment routing, full multicast support, and comprehensive telemetry for large-scale networks.

Question 5

What is Cisco DNA licensing and how does it relate to Catalyst 9000?

Accepted Answer

Cisco DNA licensing unlocks software-defined automation, assurance, and analytics on Catalyst 9000 switches through two tiers—DNA Essentials for basic automation and DNA Advantage for AI-driven assurance and policy enforcement.

Question 6

What is the difference between DNA Essentials and DNA Advantage?

Accepted Answer

DNA Essentials offers basic automation tools such as device provisioning and compliance, while DNA Advantage adds advanced analytics, intent-based segmentation, threat detection, and automated remediation.

Question 7

Can I upgrade my Catalyst 9000 license from Essentials to Advantage?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can upgrade from Network Essentials to Network Advantage or from DNA Essentials to DNA Advantage through Cisco Smart Software Manager or a Cisco licensing reseller without hardware replacement.

Question 8

How do I activate a Cisco Catalyst 9000 switch license?

Accepted Answer

Activate your license by registering the switch on Cisco Smart Software Manager, assigning the entitlement to the device via its PID and VID, and syncing the device to pull the license token.

Question 9

Does the Catalyst 9000 series require Smart Licensing?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Catalyst 9000 switches use Cisco Smart Licensing to centrally manage, monitor, and report license consumption in real time via the Cisco Smart Software Manager portal.

Question 10

What happens if my Catalyst 9000 license expires?

Accepted Answer

If a DNA license expires, advanced software features will revert to evaluation mode or shut down; network traffic forwarding remains unaffected under perpetual network-tier licenses.

Question 11

How long are Catalyst 9000 license terms?

Accepted Answer

Catalyst 9000 licenses are available in one-, three-, and five-year subscription terms; network-tier licenses can also be purchased as perpetual entitlements.

Question 12

How is Catalyst 9000 licensing priced?

Accepted Answer

Pricing is based on the switch model and license tier, with volume discounts available; subscriptions are priced per-device per-year while perpetual network licenses incur a one-time fee.

Question 13

Can I transfer Catalyst 9000 licenses to a new switch?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can transfer licenses by removing the entitlement from the original device in the Cisco Smart Software Manager and reassigning it to the new switch’s PID/VID.

Question 14

How do I verify the license status on a Catalyst 9000 switch?

Accepted Answer

Use the CLI command `show license status` or check the Cisco DNA Center or Smart Software Manager portal to view active, expired, or in-use licenses on your switch.

Question 15

Are trial licenses available for Catalyst 9000 switches?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Cisco offers 90-day evaluation licenses for both network and DNA tiers that you can request through the Cisco Software Central portal for testing before purchase.

Question 16

Do Catalyst 9000 licenses include built-in security features?

Accepted Answer

Network-tier licenses include basic security, while DNA Advantage adds advanced threat detection, Encrypted Traffic Analytics, Trust Sec segmentation, and automated compliance checks.

Switch Licenses Cisco Catalyst 9000

C9300-DNA-E-24-1R (Cisco DNA Essentials C9300 24P 1Y, For Renewal Only)

C9200-DNA-E-24-1R (1YR RNWL DNA ESSEN C920024P)

C9300-DNA-E-48-1R (1YR DNA ESSENTIALS C9300 48PORT RNWL ONLY)

C9300-DNA-E-24-3R (Cisco DNA Essentials C9300 24P 3Y, For Renewal Only)

C9300-DNA-E-24-3Y (C9300 DNA Essentials, 24-Port, 3 Year Term License)

C9300L-DNA-E-24-3Y (3YR TERM LICS C9300L DNA ESSEN 24PORT)

C9300-DNA-E-24S-3Y (C9300 DNA Essentials, 24-Port Fiber, 3 Year Term License)

C9200L-DA-24-SMSK (Cisco DNA Advantage C9200L 24P SMS-K)

C9200L-DE-24-SMSK (DNA ESSEN C9200L 24P SMS-K)

C9200L-DE-48-SMSK (Cisco DNA Essentials C9200L 48P SMS-K)

C9200-P-24-SMSK (Cisco DNA Premier C9200 24P SMS-K)

C9200-P-48-SMSK (Cisco DNA Premier C9200 48P SMS-K)

C9200-DA-24-SMSK (Cisco DNA Advantage C9200 24P SMS-K)

C9200-DE-24-SMSK (Cisco DNA Essentials C9200 24P SMS-K)

C9300-DE-24-SMSK (Cisco DNA Essentials for C9300 24P SMS-K)

C9300-DA-24-SMSK (Cisco DNA Advantage for C9300 24P SMS-K)

C9300-DA-48-SMSK (Cisco DNA Advantage for C9300 48P SMS-K)

C9300-DE-48-SMSK (DNA ESSENTIALS FOR C9300 48P SMS-K)

C9400-DA-SMSK (DNA ADVANTAGE FOR C9400 SMS-K)

C9400-DE-SMSK (Cisco DNA Essentials for C9400 SMS-K)

Questions & Answers

What are the different Cisco Catalyst 9000 switch license tiers?

How do I choose between Network Essentials and Network Advantage licenses?

What features are included in the Network Essentials license?

What additional features does the Network Advantage license provide?