Obtaining Software
This chapter describes how to obtain and install the latest Cisco IPS software, and contains the following sections:
•Supported Sensors
•Obtaining Cisco IPS Software
•IPS Software Versioning
•Software Release Examples
•Upgrade Notes and Caveats
•Accessing IPS Documentation
•Cisco Security Intelligence Operations
•Obtaining a License Key From Cisco.com
Supported Sensors
IPS 7.0(x)E4 supports the following sensors:
•IPS 4240
•IPS 4255
•IPS 4260
•IPS 4270-20
•AIM IPS
•AIP SSM
•IDSM2
•NME IPS
Note Only the AIM IPS, IDSM2, and NME IPS are supported in IPS 7.0(9)E4.
Note We highly recommend that you upgrade to the latest IPS 7.1(x) version if you have the IPS 4240, IPS 4255, IPS 4260, IPS 4270-20, or AIP SSM-10/20/40. Because IPS 7.0(9)E4 applies only to the AIM IPS, IDSM2, and NME IPS, the 7.0(9)E4 upgrade files will be prevented from being installed on all other platforms.
Obtaining Cisco IPS Software
You can download the latest Cisco IPS software from Cisco.com. You must have an account with cryptographic access before you can download software and you must be logged into Cisco.com to access the software download site. You can sign up for IPS Alert Bulletins to receive information on the latest software releases.
Caution
The BIOS on Cisco IPS sensors is specific to Cisco IPS sensors and must only be upgraded under instructions from Cisco with BIOS files obtained from the Cisco website. Installing a non-Cisco or third-party BIOS on Cisco IPS sensors voids the warranty.
You can find major and minor updates, service packs, signature and signature engine updates, system and recovery files, firmware upgrades, and readmes on the Download Software site on Cisco.com. Signature updates are posted to Cisco.com approximately every week, more often if needed. Service packs are posted to Cisco.com as needed. Major and minor updates are also posted periodically. Check Cisco.com regularly for the latest IPS software.
Note You must have an IPS subscription service license and be logged in to Cisco.com to download software. You must have an active IPS maintenance contract and a Cisco.com password to download software. You must have a sensor license to apply signature updates.
Downloading IPS Software
To download software on Cisco.com, follow these steps:
Step 1 Log in to Cisco.com.
Step 2 From the Support drop-down menu, choose Download Software.
Step 3 Under Select a Software Product Category, choose Security Software.
Step 4 Choose Intrusion Prevention System (IPS).
Step 5 Enter your username and password.
Step 6 In the Download Software window, choose IPS Appliances > Cisco Intrusion Prevention System and then click the version you want to download.
Step 7 Click the type of software file you need. The available files appear in a list in the right side of the window. You can sort by file name, file size, memory, and release date. And you can access the Release Notes and other product documentation.
Step 8 Click the file you want to download. The file details appear.
Step 9 Verify that it is the correct file, and click Download.
Step 10 Click Agree to accept the software download rules.
The first time you download a file from Cisco.com, you must fill in the Encryption Software Export Distribution Authorization form before you can download the software.
•Fill out the form and click Submit. The Cisco Systems Inc. Encryption Software Usage Handling and Distribution Policy appears.
•Read the policy and click I Accept. The Encryption Software Export/Distribution Form appears.
If you previously filled out the Encryption Software Export Distribution Authorization form, and read and accepted the Cisco Systems Inc. Encryption Software Usage Handling and Distribution Policy, these forms are not displayed again.
The File Download dialog box appears.
Step 11 Open the file or save it to your computer.
Step 12 Follow the instructions in the Readme to install the update.
Note Major and minor updates, service packs, recovery files, signature and signature engine updates are the same for all sensors. System image files are unique per platform.
For More Information
•For the procedure for obtaining and installing the license key, see Obtaining a License Key From Cisco.com.
•For an explanation of the IPS file versioning scheme, see IPS Software Versioning.
IPS Software Versioning
When you download IPS software images from Cisco.com, you should understand the versioning scheme so that you know which files are base files, which are cumulative, and which are incremental.
Major Update
A major update contains new functionality or an architectural change in the product. For example, the Cisco IPS 7.0 base version includes everything (except deprecated features) since the previous major release (the minor update features, service pack fixes, and signature updates) plus any new changes. Major update 7.0(1) requires 5.1(6) and later. With each major update there are corresponding system and recovery packages.
Note The 7.0(1) major update is used to upgrade 5.1(6) and later sensors to 7.0(1) If you are reinstalling 7.0(1) on a sensor that already has 7.0(1) installed, use the system image or recovery procedures rather than the major update.
Minor Update
A minor update is incremental to the major version. Minor updates are also base versions for service packs. The first minor update for 7.0 is 7.1(1). Minor updates are released for minor enhancements to the product. Minor updates contain all previous minor features (except deprecated features), service pack fixes, signature updates since the last major version, and the new minor features being released. You can install the minor updates on the previous major or minor version (and often even on earlier versions). The minimum supported version needed to upgrade to the newest minor version is listed in the Readme that accompanies the minor update. With each minor update there are corresponding system and recovery packages.
Service Pack
A service pack is cumulative following a base version release (minor or major). Service packs are used for the release of defect fixes with no new enhancements. Service packs contain all service pack fixes since the last base version (minor or major) and the new defect fixes being released. Service packs require the minor version. The minimum supported version needed to upgrade to the newest service pack is listed in the Readme that accompanies the service pack. Service packs also include the latest engine update. For example, if service pack 7.0(3) is released, and E3 is the latest engine level, the service pack is released as 7.0(3)E3.
Patch Release
A patch release is used to address defects that are identified in the upgrade binaries after a software release. Rather than waiting until the next major or minor update, or service pack to address these defects, a patch can be posted. Patches include all prior patch releases within the associated service pack level. The patches roll into the next official major or minor update, or service pack.
Before you can install a patch release, the most recent major or minor update, or service pack must be installed. For example, patch release 7.0(1p1) requires 7.0(1).
Note Upgrading to a newer patch does not require you to uninstall the old patch. For example, you can upgrade from patch 7.0(1p1) to 7.0(1p2) without first uninstalling 7.0(1p1).
Figure 22-1 illustrates what each part of the IPS software file represents for major and minor updates, service packs, and patch releases.
Figure 22-1 IPS Software File Name for Major and Minor Updates, Service Packs, and Patch Releases
Signature Update
A signature update is a package file containing a set of rules designed to recognize malicious network activities. Signature updates are released independently from other software updates. Each time a major or minor update is released, you can install signature updates on the new version and the next oldest version for a period of at least six months. Signature updates are dependent on a required signature engine version. Because of this, a req designator lists the signature engine required to support a particular signature update.
Figure 22-2 illustrates what each part of the IPS software file represents for signature updates.
Figure 22-2 IPS Software File Name for Signature Updates
Signature Engine Update
A signature engine update is an executable file containing binary code to support new signature updates. Signature engine files require a specific service pack, which is also identified by the req designator.
Figure 22-3 illustrates what each part of the IPS software file represents for signature engine updates.
Figure 22-3 IPS Software File Name for Signature Engine Updates
Recovery and System Image Files
Recovery and system image files contain separate versions for the installer and the underlying application. The installer version contains a major and minor version field. The major version is incremented by one of any major changes to the image installer, for example, switching from .tar to rpm or changing kernels. The minor version can be incremented by any one of the following:
•Minor change to the installer, for example, a user prompt added.
•Repackages require the installer minor version to be incremented by one if the image file must be repackaged to address a defect or problem with the installer.
Figure 22-4 illustrates what each part of the IPS software file represents for recovery and system image files.
Figure 22-4 IPS Software File Name for Recovery and System Image Files
Software Release Examples
Note The AIM IPS and NME IPS have a signifier in their filenames, for example IPS-AIM-K9-7.1-1-E3.pkg. In IPS 7.0(9)E4 the IDSM2 also has a signifier in the filenames, for example, IPS-IDSM_2-K9-7.0-9-E4.pkg.
Table 22-1 lists platform-independent Cisco IPS 7.x software release examples. Refer to the Readmes that accompany the software files for detailed instructions on how to install the files.
Table 22-1 Platform-Independent Release Examples
|
|
|
|
|
Signature update1 |
Weekly |
sig |
S353 |
IPS-sig-S353-req-E4.pkg |
Signature engine update2 |
As needed |
engine |
E4 |
IPS-engine-E4-req-7.0-7.pkg |
Service packs3 |
Semi-annually or as needed |
— |
7.0(7) |
IPS-K9-7.0-7-E4.pkg |
Minor version update4 |
Annually |
— |
7.1(1) |
IPS-K9-7.1-1-E4.pkg |
Major version update5 |
Annually |
— |
8.0(1) |
IPS-K9-8.0-1-E4.pkg |
Patch release6 |
As needed |
patch |
7.0(1p1) |
IPS-K9-patch-7.0-1pl-E4.pkg |
Recovery package7 |
Annually or as needed |
r |
1.1-7.0(1) |
IPS-K9-r-1.1-a-7.0-4-E4.pkg |
Table 22-2 describes platform-dependent software release examples.
Table 22-2 Platform-Dependent Release Examples
|
|
|
|
|
System image1 |
Annually |
sys |
Separate file for each sensor platform |
IPS 4240-K9-sys-1.1-a-7.0-4-E4.img |
Maintenance partition image2 |
Annually |
mp |
IDSM2 |
c6svc-mp.2-1-2.bin.gz |
Bootloader |
As needed |
bl |
AIM IPS NME IPS |
pse_aim_x.y.z.bin pse_nm_x.y.z.bin (where x, y, z is the release number) |
Mini-kernel |
As needed |
mini-kernel |
AIM IPS NME IPS |
pse_mini_kernel_1.1.10.64.bz2 |
Table 22-3 describes the platform identifiers used in platform-specific names.
Table 22-3 Platform Identifiers
|
|
IPS 4240 series |
4240 |
IPS 4255 series |
4255 |
IPS 4260 series |
4260 |
IPS 4270-20 series |
4270_20 |
IDS module for Catalyst 6K |
IDSM_2 |
IPS network module |
AIM NME |
adaptive security appliance modules |
SSM_10 SSM_20 SSM_40 |
For More Information
For instructions on how to access these files on Cisco.com, see Obtaining Cisco IPS Software.
Upgrade Notes and Caveats
Observe the following when upgrading to IPS 7.0:
•The minimum required version for upgrading to 7.0 is 5.1(6) or later.
•Use IPS-AIM-K9-7.0-x-E4.pkg to upgrade the AIM IPS and IPS-NME-K9-7.0-x-E4 to upgrade the NME IPS. For all other supported sensors, use the IPS-K9-7.0-x-E4.pkg upgrade file.
Note In IPS 7.0(9)E4 the IDSM2 has a separate upgrade file, IPS-IDSM_2-K9-7.0-9-E4.pkg.
•If you configured Auto Update for your sensor, copy the 7.0(x)E4 update files to the directory on the server that your sensor polls for updates.
•After you upgrade any IPS software on your sensor, you must restart the IDM to see the latest software features.
•The Cisco.com IP address has been changed in the Auto Update configuration in IPS 7.0(8)E4 and later.
Caution
In the 7.0(8)E4 service pack the default value of the Cisco server IP address has been changed from 198.133.219.25 to 72.163.4.161 in the Auto Update URL configuration. If you have automatic update configured on your sensor, you may need to update firewall rules to allow the sensor to connect to this new IP address.
•If you are using automatic update with a mixture of the AIM IPS, NME IPS, IDSM2, and other IPS appliances or modules, make sure you put both the 7.0(x)E4 upgrade file (IPS-K9-7.0-x-E4.pkg), the AIM IPS upgrade file (IPS-AIM-K9-7.0-x-E4.pkg), the NME IPS upgrade file (IPS-NME-K9-7.0-x-E4) and for IPS 7.0(9)E4, the IDSM2 upgrade file (IPS-IDSM_2K9-7.0-9-E4.pkg) on the automatic update server so that the AIM IPS, NME IPS, and IDSM2 can correctly detect which file needs to be automatically downloaded and installed. If you only put the 7.0(x)E4 upgrade file (IPS-K9-7.0-x-E4.pkg) on the server, the AIM IPS, NME IPS , and IDSM2 will download and try to install the wrong file.
•If you install an update on your sensor and the sensor is unusable after it reboots, you must reimage your sensor. You can reimage your sensor in the following ways:
–For all sensors, use the recover command.
–For IPS 4240, IPS 4255, IPS 4260, and IPS 4270-20, use the ROMMON to restore the system image.
–For the AIM IPS and the NME IPS, use the bootloader.
–For the IDSM2, reimage the application partition from the maintenance partition.
–For the AIP SSM, reimage from the adaptive security appliance using the hw-module module 1 recover configure/boot command.
Caution
When you install the system image for your sensor, all accounts are removed and the default account and password are reset to
cisco.
For More Information
•For the procedure for accessing downloads on Cisco.com, see Obtaining Cisco IPS Software.
•For the procedure for using the upgrade command to upgrade the sensor, see Upgrading the Sensor.
•For the procedure for configuring automatic upgrades on the sensor, see Configuring Automatic Upgrades.
•For the procedure for using the recover command, see Recovering the Application Partition.
•For the procedures for using ROMMON to restore the system image, see Installing the IPS 4240 and IPS 4255 System Images, Installing the IPS 4260 System Image, and Installing the IPS 4270-20 System Image.
•For the procedure for restoring the AIM IPS system image, see Installing the AIM IPS System Image.
•For the procedure for reimaging the IDSM2 application partition from the maintenance partition, see Installing the IDSM2 System Image.
•For the procedure for using the hw-module module 1 recover configure/boot command to reimage the AIP SSM, see Installing the AIP SSM System Image.
•For the procedure for restoring the NME IPS system image, see Installing the NME IPS System Image.
Accessing IPS Documentation
You can find IPS documentation at this URL:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/vpndevc/ps4077/tsd_products_support_series_home.html
Or to access IPS documentation from Cisco.com, follow these steps:
Step 1 Log in to Cisco.com.
Step 2 Click Support.
Step 3 Under Support at the bottom of the page, click Documentation.
Step 4 Choose Products > Security > Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) > IPS Appliances > Cisco IPS 4200 Series Sensors. The Cisco IPS 4200 Series Sensors page appears. All of the most up-to-date IPS documentation is on this page.
Note Although you will see references to other IPS documentation sites on Cisco.com, this is the site with the most complete and up-to-date IPS documentation.
Step 5 Click one of the following categories to access Cisco IPS documentation:
•Download Software—Takes you to the Download Software site.
Note You must be logged into Cisco.com to access the software download site.
•Release and General Information—Contains documentation roadmaps and release notes.
•Reference Guides—Contains command references and technical references.
•Design—Contains design guide and design tech notes.
•Install and Upgrade—Contains hardware installation and regulatory guides.
•Configure—Contains configuration guides for IPS CLI, IDM, and IME.
•Troubleshoot and Alerts—Contains TAC tech notes and field notices.
Cisco Security Intelligence Operations
The Cisco Security Intelligence Operations site on Cisco.com provides intelligence reports about current vulnerabilities and security threats. It also has reports on other security topics that help you protect your network and deploy your security systems to reduce organizational risk.
You should be aware of the most recent security threats so that you can most effectively secure and manage your network. Cisco Security Intelligence Operations contains the top ten intelligence reports listed by date, severity, urgency, and whether there is a new signature available to deal with the threat.
Cisco Security Intelligence Operations contains a Security News section that lists security articles of interest. There are related security tools and links.
You can access Cisco Security Intelligence Operations at this URL:
http://tools.cisco.com/security/center/home.x
Cisco Security Intelligence Operations is also a repository of information for individual signatures, including signature ID, type, structure, and description.
You can search for security alerts and signatures at this URL:
http://tools.cisco.com/security/center/search.x
Obtaining a License Key From Cisco.com
This section describes how to obtain a license key from Cisco.com and how to install it using the CLI or IDM. It contains the following topics:
•Understanding Licensing
•Service Programs for IPS Products
•Obtaining and Installing the License Key Using IDM or IME
•Uninstalling the License Key
Understanding Licensing
Although the sensor functions without the license key, you must have a license key to obtain signature updates and use the global correlation features. To obtain a license key, you must have the following:
•Cisco Service for IPS service contract
Contact your reseller, Cisco service or product sales to purchase a contract.
•Your IPS device serial number
To find the IPS device serial number in IDM or IME, for IDM choose Configuration > Sensor Management > Licensing, and for IME choose Configuration > sensor_name > Sensor Management > Licensing, or in the CLI use the show version command.
•Valid Cisco.com username and password
Trial license keys are also available. If you cannot get your sensor licensed because of problems with your contract, you can obtain a 60-day trial license that supports signature updates that require licensing.
You can obtain a license key from the Cisco.com licensing server, which is then delivered to the sensor. Or, you can update the license key from a license key provided in a local file. Go to http://www.cisco.com/go/license and click IPS Signature Subscription Service to apply for a license key.
You can view the status of the license key in these places:
•IDM Home window Licensing section on the Health tab
•IDM Licensing pane (Configuration > Licensing)
•IME Home page in the Device Details section on the Licensing tab
•License Notice at CLI login
Whenever you start IDM, IME, or the CLI, you are informed of your license status—whether you have a trial, invalid, or expired license key. With no license key, an invalid license key, or an expired license key, you can continue to use IDM, IME, and the CLI, but you cannot download signature updates.
If you already have a valid license on the sensor, you can click Download on the License pane to download a copy of your license key to the computer that IDM or IME is running on and save it to a local file. You can then replace a lost or corrupted license, or reinstall your license after you have reimaged the sensor.
Service Programs for IPS Products
You must have a Cisco Services for IPS service contract for any IPS product so that you can download a license key and obtain the latest IPS signature updates. If you have a direct relationship with Cisco Systems, contact your account manager or service account manager to purchase the Cisco Services for IPS service contract. If you do not have a direct relationship with Cisco Systems, you can purchase the service account from a one-tier or two-tier partner.
When you purchase the following IPS products you must also purchase a Cisco Services for IPS service contract:
•IPS 4240
•IPS 4255
•IPS 4260
•IPS 4270-20
•AIM IPS
•IDSM2
•NME IPS
When you purchase an ASA 5500 series adaptive security appliance product that does not contain IPS, you must purchase a SMARTnet contract.
Note SMARTnet provides operating system updates, access to Cisco.com, access to TAC, and hardware replacement NBD on site.
When you purchase an ASA 5500 series adaptive security appliance product that ships with AIP SSM installed, or if you purchase the AIP SSM to add to your ASA 5500 series adaptive security appliance product, you must purchase the Cisco Services for IPS service contract.
Note Cisco Services for IPS provides IPS signature updates, operating system updates, access to Cisco.com, access to TAC, and hardware replacement NBD on site.
For example, if you purchased an ASA-5510 and then later wanted to add IPS and purchased an ASA-SSM-AIP-10-K9, you must now purchase the Cisco Services for IPS service contract. After you have the Cisco Services for IPS service contract, you must also have your product serial number to apply for the license key.
Caution
If you ever send your product for RMA, the serial number will change. You must then get a new license key for the new serial number.
Obtaining and Installing the License Key Using IDM or IME
Note In addition to a valid Cisco.com username and password, you must also have a Cisco Services for IPS service contract before you can apply for a license key.
To obtain and install the license key, follow these steps:
Step 1 Log in to IDM or IME using an account with administrator privileges.
Step 2 For IDM choose Configuration > Sensor Management > Licensing. For IME choose Configuration > sensor_name > Sensor Management > Licensing.
The Licensing pane displays the status of the current license. If you have already installed your license, you can click Download to save it if needed.
Step 3 Obtain a license key by doing one of the following:
•Click the Cisco.com radio button to obtain the license from Cisco.com.
IDM or IME contacts the license server on Cisco.com and sends the server the serial number to obtain the license key. This is the default method. Go to Step 4.
•Click the License File radio button to use a license file.
To use this option, you must apply for a license key at this URL: www.cisco.com/go/license.
The license key is sent to you in e-mail and you save it to a drive that IDM or IME can access. This option is useful if your computer cannot access Cisco.com. Go to Step 7.
Step 4 Click Update License, and in the Licensing dialog box, click Yes to continue.
The Status dialog box informs you that the sensor is trying to connect to Cisco.com. An Information dialog box confirms that the license key has been updated.
Step 5 Click OK.
Step 6 Go to www.cisco.com/go/license.
Step 7 Fill in the required fields.
Caution
You must have the correct IPS device serial number because the license key only functions on the device with that number.
Your license key will be sent to the e-mail address you specified.
Step 8 Save the license key to a hard-disk drive or a network drive that the client running IDM or IME can access.
Step 9 Log in to IDM or IME.
Step 10 For IDM choose Configuration > Sensor Management > Licensing. For IME choose Configuration > sensor_name > Sensor Management > Licensing.
Step 11 Under Update License, click the License File radio button.
Step 12 In the Local File Path field, specify the path to the license file or click Browse Local to browse to the file.
Step 13 Browse to the license file and click Open.
Step 14 Click Update License.
For More Information
For information about obtaining a Cisco Services for IPS service contract, see Service Programs for IPS Products.
Obtaining and Installing the License Key Using the CLI
Note You cannot install an older license key over a newer license key.
Use the copy source-url license_file_name license-key command to copy the license key to your sensor.
The following options apply:
•source-url—The location of the source file to be copied. It can be a URL or keyword.
•destination-url—The location of the destination file to be copied. It can be a URL or a keyword.
•license-key—The subscription license file.
•license_file_name—The name of the license file you receive.
The exact format of the source and destination URLs varies according to the file. Here are the valid types:
•ftp:—Source URL for an FTP network server. The syntax for this prefix is:
ftp://[[username@]location][/relativeDirectory]/filename
ftp://[[username@]location][//absoluteDirectory]/filename
Note You are prompted for a password.
•scp:—Source URL for the SCP network server. The syntax for this prefix is:
scp://[[username@]location][/relativeDirectory]/filename
scp://[[username@]location][//absoluteDirectory]/filename
Note You are prompted for a password. You must add the remote host to the SSH known hosts list.
•http:—Source URL for the web server. The syntax for this prefix is:
http://[[username@]location][/directory]/filename
Note The directory specification should be an absolute path to the desired file.
•https:—Source URL for the web server. The syntax for this prefix is:
https://[[username@]location][/directory]/filename
Note The directory specification should be an absolute path to the desired file. The remote host must be a TLS trusted host.
Installing the License Key
To install the license key, follow these steps:
Step 1 Apply for the license key at this URL: www.cisco.com/go/license.
Note In addition to a valid Cisco.com username and password, you must also have a Cisco Services for IPS service contract before you can apply for a license key.
Step 2 Fill in the required fields.
Note You must have the correct IPS device serial number because the license key only functions on the device with that number.
Your Cisco IPS Signature Subscription Service license key will be sent by e-mail to the e-mail address you specified.
Step 3 Save the license key to a system that has a web server, FTP server, or SCP server.
Step 4 Log in to the CLI using an account with administrator privileges.
Step 5 Copy the license key to the sensor.
sensor# copy scp://user@10.89.147.3://tftpboot/dev.lic license-key
Step 6 Verify the sensor is licensed.
Cisco Intrusion Prevention System, Version 7.0(4)E4
Signature Update S391.0 2008-04-16
Virus Update V1.2 2005-11-24
OS Version: 2.4.30-IDS-smp-bigphys
Serial Number: P300000220
Licensed, expires: <07-Aug-2013 UTC >
Sensor up-time is 3 days.
Using 1031888896 out of 2093682688 bytes of available memory (49% usage)
system is using 17.8M out of 29.0M bytes of available disk space (61% usage)
application-data is using 52.4M out of 166.6M bytes of available disk space (33% usage)
boot is using 37.8M out of 68.5M bytes of available disk space (58% usage)
MainApp N-2007_JUN_19_16_45 (Release) 2007-06-19T17:10:20-0500 Running
AnalysisEngine N-2007_JUN_19_16_45 (Release) 2007-06-19T17:10:20-0500 Running
CLI N-2007_JUN_19_16_45 (Release) 2007-06-19T17:10:20-0500
IPS-K9-7.0-4-E4 15:36:05 UTC Thu Apr 24 2008
Recovery Partition Version 1.1 - 7.0(4)E4
Host Certificate Valid from: 25-Apr-2008 to 26-Apr-2010
Step 7 Copy your license key from a sensor to a server to keep a backup copy of the license.
sensor# copy license-key scp://user@10.89.147.3://tftpboot/dev.lic
For More Information
•For the procedure for adding a remote host to the SSH known hosts list, see Adding Hosts to the SSH Known Hosts List.
•For the procedure for adding a remote host to the trusted hosts list, see Adding TLS Trusted Hosts.
•For more information about obtaining a Cisco Services for IPS service contract, see Service Programs for IPS Products.
Uninstalling the License Key
Use the erase license-key command to uninstall the license key on your sensor. This allows you to delete an installed license key from a sensor without restarting the sensor or logging into the sensor using the service account. Uninstalling the license key is supported in IPS 7.0(7)E4 and later.
To uninstall the license key, follow these steps:
Step 1 Log in to the CLI using an account with administrator privileges.
Step 2 Uninstall the license key on the sensor.
sensor# erase license-key
Warning: Executing this command will remove the license key installed on the sensor.
You must have a valid license key installed on the sensor to apply the Signature Updates
and use the Global Correlation features.
Step 3 Verify the sensor key has been uninstalled.
Cisco Intrusion Prevention System, Version 7.0(8)E4
Signature Update S615.0 2012-01-03
OS Version: 2.4.30-IDS-smp-bigphys
Serial Number: AZBW5470014
Sensor up-time is 5 days.
Using 1887371264 out of 4100345856 bytes of available memory (46% usage) system is using
18.2M out of 38.5M bytes of available disk space (47% usage) application-data is using
48.0M out of 166.8M bytes of available disk space (30% usage) boot is using 46.1M out of
69.5M bytes of available disk space (70% usage) application-log is using 494.0M out of
513.0M bytes of available disk space (96% usage)
MainApp B-2012_JAN_16_04_50_7_0_8 (Ipsbuild) 2012-01-16T04:53:24-0600
Running
AnalysisEngine B-2012_JAN_16_04_50_7_0_8 (Ipsbuild) 2012-01-16T04:53:24-0600
Running
CollaborationApp B-2012_JAN_16_04_50_7_0_8 (Ipsbuild) 2012-01-16T04:53:24-0600
Running
CLI B-2012_JAN_16_04_50_7_0_8 (Ipsbuild) 2012-01-16T04:53:24-0600
IPS-K9-7.0-8-E4 05:05:07 UTC Mon Jan 16 2012
Recovery Partition Version 1.1 - 7.0(8)E4
Host Certificate Valid from: 17-Jan-2012 to 17-Jan-2014