How do I renew the license on a Cisco Catalyst 9300?
The Network Essentials or Network Advantage license is perpetual. Renew the Cisco DNA or Catalyst subscription and the hardware support contract, both quoted to your Smart Account.
Every Catalyst 9300 is ordered with two licenses from Cisco. The Network Stack license, Network Essentials or Network Advantage, is perpetual and comes with the hardware. The Cisco DNA or Catalyst subscription is a term license on a 3, 5 or 7 year term. The subscription comes up for renewal, together with the hardware support contract.
The two licenses
- Network Stack license. Network Essentials or Network Advantage. Cisco states it is perpetual and included with the hardware by default.
- Subscription license. Cisco DNA Essentials or Cisco DNA Advantage, valid for 3, 5 or 7 years. Cisco makes it mandatory at the time of purchase, together with the Network Stack license.
Cisco's ordering guide calls the subscription the Cisco DNA or Catalyst software subscription. A Catalyst 9300 ordered for Meraki management, the models with an "-M" designation, takes a Meraki license instead, on 1, 3, 5, 7 or 10 year terms.
What renewal covers
The subscription is the license with an end date, so it is the one quoted at renewal. Cisco strongly recommends that the hardware support contract term match the software subscription term, to avoid any gap in support. A renewal quote from Gatewell USA covers both on the same term.
Renewing a fleet
A fleet bought over several years carries several end dates. The renewal quote lists each subscription and support contract with its own end date and term, so a lapse anywhere shows on one page. Cisco's ordering guide makes Cisco DNA Advantage the default subscription selection on a new order. Check the tier on each switch before renewing, since one fleet can carry both tiers.
Smart Account and Smart Licensing
Cisco requires a Smart Account when a Catalyst 9300 is ordered. License entitlements are deposited in Cisco Smart Software Manager and in the Smart Account, which can hold Virtual Accounts. Catalyst 9000 switches use Smart Licensing Using Policy. A renewal bought through Gatewell USA is deposited in your own Smart Account.
What to send
- The switch serial numbers, or the subscription and contract numbers
- The current subscription tier and its end date
- The term you want
- The Smart Account the licenses should land in
How to buy it through Gatewell USA
Gatewell USA is a Cisco Registered Partner. Send the details on the renewals form at the quote page for a quote within one business day. Every Cisco subscription bought here is re-quoted 90 days before it lapses.