United States
Q
What are Ruckus Wireless Controller licenses?
A
Ruckus Wireless Controller licenses are software entitlement keys that unlock and manage advanced WLAN features, define access point capacity, and enable controller-based network services on Ruckus SmartZone or Virtual SmartZone platforms.
Q
What types of Ruckus controller licenses are available?
A
Ruckus offers device-based (Base, Plus, and Premier), AP-based, and feature-based licenses for SmartZone and Virtual SmartZone controllers, each tailored for different feature sets, user capacities, and deployment scales.
Q
How do I purchase a Ruckus Wireless Controller license?
A
You can purchase Ruckus controller licenses through authorized Ruckus partners or distributors, or directly via the Ruckus online portal, selecting the appropriate license SKU for your controller model and deployment requirements.
Q
How do I activate a Ruckus controller license?
A
Activate your license by logging into the SmartZone or Virtual SmartZone GUI, navigating to Maintenance > License Management, uploading the license file or entering the activation code, and rebooting if prompted.
Q
How do I renew my Ruckus controller license?
A
Renew your license before expiration by ordering a renewal SKU through your Ruckus partner, then reapply the renewed license key in the License Management section of the controller’s web interface.
Q
Can I upgrade my existing Ruckus controller license?
A
Yes. To upgrade, purchase the desired higher-tier or additional feature license, then apply the new license key in the controller’s License Management menu to unlock advanced capabilities.
Q
Is it possible to transfer a Ruckus controller license to another device?
A
You can transfer a license by first deactivating it in the origin controller’s GUI, then reactivating the same license key on the target SmartZone or Virtual SmartZone instance via License Management.
Q
How do I check the status and expiry of my Ruckus controller licenses?
A
View license status, expiration date, and feature entitlements under Maintenance > License Management in the SmartZone or Virtual SmartZone GUI, or use the CLI command show license summary.
Q
What happens when a Ruckus controller license expires?
A
Upon expiration, controllers revert to limited functionality: APs may disconnect or operate at reduced capacity, and advanced features become inaccessible until the license is renewed.
Q
Are trial licenses available for Ruckus Wireless Controllers?
A
Yes. Ruckus offers 60-day evaluation licenses for SmartZone and Virtual SmartZone, which you can request via the Ruckus support portal to test full feature sets before purchase.
Q
How does licensing differ between physical and virtual Ruckus controllers?
A
Physical SmartZone appliances use device-based SKUs tied to hardware capacity, while Virtual SmartZone instances use vSZ subscription or perpetual licenses based on supported AP counts and feature bundles.
Q
Do Ruckus controller licenses include software support and updates?
A
License entitlements cover feature access only. Technical support and software updates require an active Ruckus SPC (Software and Support Protection) contract, purchased separately or bundled with the license.
Q
Can I add individual features to an existing Ruckus license?
A
Yes. Ruckus offers standalone feature add-on licenses (e.g., Hotspot, BLE, IoT) that you can apply alongside your base controller license to enable specific network services.
Q
How many access points can I manage with a Ruckus controller license?
A
Management capacity depends on the license tier: Base licenses support up to 25 APs, Plus up to 100 APs, and Premier up to 1,000 APs per SmartZone or Virtual SmartZone instance.
Q
Where can I retrieve my Ruckus controller license keys?
A
Download license files and retrieve activation codes from the Ruckus support portal under My Products > Licenses, or request them from your authorized Ruckus partner.
Q
How are cloud-managed Ruckus controllers licensed?
A
Cloud-managed Ruckus controllers use a subscription-based licensing model via Ruckus Cloud, billed per AP or per user, with licenses provisioned directly in the cloud management portal.
Q
What is the difference between Ruckus ZoneDirector and SmartZone licensing?
A
ZoneDirector uses AP-count perpetual licenses tied to the appliance, while SmartZone employs tiered feature licenses (Base/Plus/Premier) with enhanced scalability, analytics, and multi-tenant support.
