Cisco Networking Subscription Data Sheet
Available Languages
Bias-Free Language
The documentation set for this product strives to use bias-free language. For the purposes of this documentation set, bias-free is defined as language that does not imply discrimination based on age, disability, gender, racial identity, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and intersectionality. Exceptions may be present in the documentation due to language that is hardcoded in the user interfaces of the product software, language used based on RFP documentation, or language that is used by a referenced third-party product. Learn more about how Cisco is using Inclusive Language.
Cisco Networking Subscription streamlines management of Cisco software, hardware, services, and platforms. This licensing model supports your network investment today and protects it for the future.
With an active Cisco Networking Subscription, you have flexibility to:
● Aggregate and align renewal dates to your cost-center needs
● Add licenses to an existing subscription without term minimum requirements and keeping a consistent renewal date
● Upgrade entitlements mid-term and at end-of-term (renewal)
● Include different license tiers (Essentials or Advantage) in the same subscription
Additionally, the Cisco Networking Subscription includes unified product support, providing a consistent and reliable customer support experience with hardware and software coverage.
A Cisco Networking Subscription can include our new unified licenses: Cisco Wireless Essentials and Advantage. These licenses give you the flexibility to set up networks in different ways—whether on-premises, hybrid (a mix of on-premises and cloud), or entirely in the cloud. They combine the best features from both Cisco Meraki™ and Cisco Catalyst® products, ensuring you get similar capabilities no matter how you choose to deploy your network.
Table 1. Cisco Wireless Essentials and Advantage Cloud Feature Set
| Features |
Feature Description |
Cisco Wireless |
Cisco Wireless Advantage |
| Cloud management |
Manage your access points with Cisco Meraki Dashboard |
|
|
| Zero-touch firmware upgrades |
Manage and schedule firmware upgrades |
|
|
| Zero-touch provisioning |
Claim and manage devices with Meraki Dashboard |
|
|
| Enterprise Wireless Security - WPA2, WPA3 |
Offer Enterprise Wireless Standards - WPA2 and WPA3 |
|
|
| Guest Access and Splash Page |
Provide guest network with Splash Page, offer one-click isolation |
|
|
| Network-Based Application Recognition 2 (NBAR2); Cisco Application Visibility and Control (AVC) |
An advanced application recognition engine for Layer 7 traffic |
|
|
| Layer 7 Application Visibility and Control |
Allows network administrators to easily manage application traffic |
|
|
| QoS for Voice/Video Optimization |
Identification and prioritization of client traffics by type of application |
|
|
| Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) |
Enables IoT hub functionality as BLE Receiver, Gateway as well as Beacon Transmitter |
|
|
| Wi-Fi Personal Network (WPN) |
Easy wireless network segmentation |
|
|
| Band Steering |
Active steering based on 802.11v and other improvements |
|
|
| Client Balancing |
Active client balancing based on 802.11v and other improvements |
|
|
| IPv6 Enhancements |
Multicast Listener Discovery (MLD) Snooping, IPv6 Bonjour Forwarding, L2 client Isolation and other improvements |
|
|
| IPv6 support |
Live tools, IPv6 uplink, L3 firewall rules, and other improvements |
|
|
| Wireless Mesh |
Create and establish wireless backhaul between gateway and repeater |
|
|
| Bonjour Forwarding |
Forward mDNS/Multicast traffic to other VLAN |
|
|
| Outdoor Standard Power (SP) |
Use higher Tx power on certified 6E access points |
|
|
| Air Marshal |
Wireless intrusion detection and protection against rogues and Denial of Service (DoS) |
|
|
| RADIUS and Policy-based Networking |
Remote Authentication Dial In User Service (RADIUS)-based authentication and policy management including Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) integration |
|
|
| MR Teleworker VPN |
MR Teleworker VPN extends the corporate LAN to employees at remote sites with Cisco Meraki AP |
|
|
| RadSec (RADIUS over DTLS) |
More granular control of the RADIUS configuration and packet flow |
|
|
| AutoRF |
Automated Radio Frequency (RF) Optimization and Customization functions that offer flexible and adaptable RF management |
|
|
| Meraki Health |
A suite of tools and analytics for troubleshooting and enhanced visibility |
|
|
| Intelligent Capture |
Manual and live packet capture, packet viewer |
|
|
| API Umbrella Integration |
Integrate Cisco Umbrella® on Dashboard |
|
|
| FIPS 140-3 |
A validated cryptographic level of security |
|
|
| Service Expansion Shelf (SES)-imagotag Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL) Integration |
SES-imagotag Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL) Integration |
|
|
| Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) support |
Lightweight data streaming for IoT applications |
|
|
| Location Analytics |
Meraki Location Analytics displays real-time location statistics to improve customer engagement |
|
|
| OpenRoaming |
OpenRoaming provides friction-less, secure guest Wi-Fi onboarding experience |
|
|
| Meraki MR Automation and Scanning API |
Offer Open API program to provide access from external northbound system integrations |
|
|
| USB support for IOT Integration |
Enable USB port for IOT device connectivity and gateway |
|
|
| Cisco Spaces Extend |
Cisco Spaces Extend delivers location-based insights, integration with Cisco infrastructure, and APIs and App Center for partner applications. |
|
|
| Cisco Spaces Act |
Cisco Spaces Act includes Cisco applications for smart workspaces, guest onboarding and experience, and deployment and management of indoor IoT networks at scale. |
|
|
| AP AutoLocation |
Automatically place APs on floormaps with relative positioning |
|
|
| RADSEC Cisco certificates |
More granular control of the RADIUS configuration and packet flow |
|
|
| Adaptive Policy |
Enables granular, IP agnostic security policy and identity propagation |
|
|
| AI-Enhanced Radio Resource Management (AI-RRM) |
AI-powered radio resource management for simplified deployment and challenging or complex RF environments |
|
|
| Intelligent Capture – Proactive Packet Capture |
AI-powered troubleshooting tool to automatically detect and capture live issues |
|
|
Table 2. Cisco Wireless Essentials and Advantage On-Premises Feature Set
| Features |
Feature Description |
Cisco Wireless |
Cisco Wireless Advantage |
| Essential wireless capabilities |
802.1x authentications, guest access, device onboarding, infra and client IPv6, Access Control Lists (ACLs), QoS, Video Stream, Smart defaults, RRM, Spectrum intelligence, TrustSec® SGT Exchange Protocol (SXP), AP and client Single Sign-On (SSO), Dynamic QoS, Analytics, ADP, OpenDNS, mDNS, IPSec, Rogue Management and Detection on controller, mobility |
|
|
| High availability |
AP and Client SSO, N+1 HA |
|
|
| DevOps integration |
PnP Agent, NETCONF, Yang data models |
|
|
| Optimized radio frequency |
Flexible Radio Assignment (FRA), Client link, Cisco CleanAir®, Cisco CleanAir Pro, NG-HDX, Predictive/Proactive RRM |
|
|
| IoT optimized |
Identity Pre-Shared Key (PSK), Enhanced Device profilers |
|
|
| Telemetry and visibility |
Model-driven telemetry enables you to monitor your network by streaming data from network devices, continuously providing near real-time access to operational statistics |
|
|
| Cisco trustworthy solutions |
Help ensure hardware and software authenticity for supply chain trust and strong mitigation against man-in-the-middle attacks that compromise software and firmware |
|
|
| Network Plug and Play (PnP) provisioning |
Zero-touch provisioning for new device installation allows off-the-shelf Cisco devices to be provisioned simply by connecting to the network, managed by Cisco Catalyst Center |
|
|
| Network Site Design and Device Provisioning |
Design your wireless network for proper coverage and maximize the throughput. Provision wireless network appliances with the proper setting to maximize performance, managed by Cisco Catalyst Center. |
|
|
| AP Power Optimization Configuration |
Configure AP Power Save to reduce power consumption based on usage with the help of calendar and power profiles on C9800; also, leverage Power Distribution benefits by reallocating AP power to different radios while operating on PoE+. |
|
|
| Software Image Management (SWIM) |
Automatically manage software upgrades and control the consistency of image versions and configurations across your network, managed by Cisco Catalyst Center. |
|
|
| Full Flexible NetFlow |
This next generation in flow technology optimizes the network infrastructure, reducing operating costs and improving capacity planning and security incident detection. |
|
|
| Cisco Internetworking Operating System (Cisco IOS) Embedded Event Manager (EEM) |
EEM is a powerful and flexible subsystem that provides real-time network event detection and onboard automation. It gives you the ability to adapt the behavior of your network devices to align with your business needs. |
|
|
| Wireless automation |
Automate configurations, workflows (Remote LAN [RLAN], Config AP workflow, High Availability [HA] SSO, Mobility, AP refresh), model configurations, and deployment of networks with Cisco Catalyst Center. |
|
|
| Overall health dashboard |
Gives a high-level overview of the health of every network device/client on the network, wired and wireless, applications managed by Cisco Catalyst Center |
|
|
| Network health dashboard |
Provides operational status of every network device connected to Cisco Catalyst Center, with suggested remediation for any communication issues, managed by Cisco Catalyst Center |
|
|
| Client health dashboard |
Displays operational status of every client connected to Cisco Catalyst Center, with suggested remediation for any issues, managed by Cisco Catalyst Center |
|
|
| Application health dashboard |
Displays overall health of all applications on the network, with special section for business-relevant application issues and suggested remediation, using Cisco Catalyst Center |
|
|
| Wi-Fi 7 Dashboard |
Prepares your network for the new Wi-Fi 7 standards, verifying your hardware and configuration compatibility and checking your capacity readiness. After upgrading, advanced wireless analytics will indicate performance and capacity gains due to Wi-Fi 6/6E deployments, using Cisco Catalyst Center. |
|
|
| Wireless Sensor dashboard |
Shows overall tests, connectivity statistics, and top wireless issues discovered by Cisco Aironet™ Active Sensors. Tests include Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), DNS, host reachability, RADIUS, email, Microsoft Exchange Server, web, FTP, and a complete IP Service Level Agreement (SLA) for data throughput speed, latency, jitter, and packet loss. Provides guided remediation for any test failure using Cisco Catalyst Center. |
|
|
| Base Security - Rogue |
A wireless security solution that uses Cisco Unified Access infrastructure to detect, classify, locate, and contain wired and wireless rogue threats |
|
|
| Wireless Map |
Visualize 2D wireless network heatmaps with view of AP floor maps and coverage maps using Cisco Catalyst Center. |
|
|
| Out-of-box reports |
Cisco Catalyst Center pre-built reports that can be consumed directly or exported to third- party tools such as Tableau |
|
|
| Cisco Spaces Extend |
Cisco Spaces Extend delivers location-based insights, integration with Cisco infrastructure, and APIs and App Center for partner applications. |
|
|
| Cisco Spaces Act |
Cisco Spaces Act includes Cisco applications for smart workspaces, guest onboarding and experience, and deployment and management of indoor IoT networks at scale. |
|
|
| Advanced high- availability and resiliency (patching) features |
In-Service Software Upgrade (ISSU), AP Device Pack (APDP), AP Service Pack (APSP), Rolling AP upgrades, Hot Patching, Software Maintenance Upgrade (SMU) |
|
|
| SD-Access and Network Health insights |
Enables policy-based automation with secure segmentation, complete visibility, and delivery of new services quickly on SD-Access devices, managed by Cisco Catalyst Center |
|
|
| Flexible network segmentation |
Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN), wireless fabric |
|
|
| Wireless 3D Analyzer |
High-definition 3D simulations for AP placement, heatmaps, and predictions of wireless LAN performance for network admins to reduce design flaws and mitigate future performance issues |
|
|
| Cisco AI Endpoint Analytics |
Identify and check compliance of endpoints and use AI/ML techniques to classify them into groups. |
|
|
| AI-RRM |
Leverage the power of Machine Learning to optimize your enterprise wireless configurations on the Catalyst 9800 controller automatically, be provided with complete visibility into the benefits through an assurance dashboard, and much more. |
|
|
| Native Cloud Integrations (S3 support and Cloud Watch support) |
Cisco Catalyst 9800 Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) Native integration to Amazon S3 Cloud and Amazon Cloud Watch |
|
|
| Group-Based Policy Analytics |
Get visual traffic flows between endpoint groups, so you can define the right segmentation policies. |
|
|
| Cisco User-Defined Network Plus |
Enables IT to give end-users control of their very own wireless network partition. End-users can then remotely and securely deploy their devices on this network. |
|
|
| Intelligent Capture and Spectrum Analyzer |
A troubleshooting tool that allows you to capture packets view for an AP’s surrounding RF spectrum, and both client and AP stats in live time. |
|
|
| Network Plug and Play |
Helps to automate the onboarding of new devices on the network by applying configuration settings without manual intervention. |
|
|
| Automated ISE integration for guest |
Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) guest services enable you to provide secure network access to guests such as visitors, contractors, consultants, and customers. |
|
|
| Third-party API integration |
A flexible framework is provided to integrate third-party application software using Cisco Catalyst Center. |
|
|
| Cisco AI Network Analytics |
AI and machine learning technologies are implemented on Cisco Catalyst Center and in the AI Network Analytics cloud to enhance the insight and remediation capabilities of Cisco Catalyst Center Assurance. |
|
|
| Network Services Analytics Dashboard |
View Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA), DHCP, and DNS services for wireless devices across Cisco and all third-party servers in a comprehensive view while also accessing Cisco’s AAA servers’ (Identity Services Engine, or ISE) AI-based root cause analysis. Leverage a snapshot of the overall health of these critical services all in one place, highlighting the worst-performing service server, site-level impact, and scope of end-user impact. |
|
|
| Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA) |
Detect malware within encrypted traffic. This is an optional feature of Cisco Stealthwatch® (which can be purchased a-la-carte), managed by Cisco Catalyst Center. |
|
|
| Adaptive Wireless Intrusion Prevention System (aWIPS) |
A wireless security solution that uses Cisco Unified Access infrastructure to detect threats based on aWIPS signatures. Cisco Catalyst Center allows you to customize the thresholds and capture packets for each signature. |
|
|
| EasyQoS configuration |
With an end-to-end effective QoS configuration, each part of the QoS policy is cohesive and compatible achieving an end-to-end service level. |
|
|
| EasyQoS dynamic monitoring |
Assign policies to applications based on business relevance and business-critical QoS priority for life-saving devices, for example. |
|
|
| Policy-based automation |
Policies, in the form of rules, can be used to automate various services provided by Cisco for policy-based network management. |
|
|
| Patch lifecycle management |
Intelligent device management for lifecycle patching, managed by Cisco Catalyst Center. |
|
|
| Issues, events, and guided remediation |
Cisco Catalyst Center Assurance provides both system-guided as well as self-guided troubleshooting. It provides the ability to gather issues (system and user defined) and event notifications when events are triggered. Also, automates resolution to keep your network performing at an optimal level with less mundane troubleshooting work. |
|
|
| Intel Connectivity, Apple, and Samsung Analytics |
Cisco’s exclusive ecosystem partnerships enable enhanced insights on Intel Connectivity, Apple, and Samsung device connectivity and health in Cisco Catalyst Center. These impactful insights make it possible to deliver optimal performance and resolve issues faster by getting the client’s point of view of the network — what access points it sees, the reasons for disconnections, and the current state of the user experience — all provided through Cisco Catalyst Center Assurance. |
|
|
| Wide Area Bonjour |
This is a software-defined controller-based solution that enables devices to advertise and discover Bonjour services across Layer-2 domains, making it applicable to a wide variety of wired and wireless enterprise networks. |
|
|
| Compliance |
Compliance reports are managed by Cisco Catalyst Center. Catalyst Center provides compliance checks for Startup versus Running Configuration, Software Image, Critical Security Vulnerability, Network Profile, Fabric and Application Visibility |
|
|
| RCM (Randomized and Changing MAC) Solutions |
This solution allows Cisco Catalyst Center to properly track clients in the network that have a RCM and even provide a history of all MACs for a specific client. An RCM icon will be placed next to any clients with such behavior, allowing you to gain full control of the users in your network. |
|
|
| Proactive issue detection |
Aironet Active Sensor Tests, Intelligent capture, Client Location Heatmaps, Spectrum Analyzer using Cisco Catalyst Center |
|
|
| Application performance and experience |
Tracks performance of predefined “critical business applications.” Shows user experience and performance metrics. Provides specialized rapid troubleshooting per application and client. Enables unparalleled visibility and performance control over the applications critical to your core business on a per-user basis. |
|
|
| AP Power Savings Insights |
Power visibility on Cisco Catalyst Center gives a view of energy usage across APs, including impact of power save mode. |
|
|
| Application hosting |
IOx Applications can be deployed onto Cisco Catalyst APs, leveraging an RF USB dongle inserted into the AP’s USB to communicate with nearby IoT devices. This solution allows Cisco’s enterprise wireless solution to go beyond Wi-Fi and solve use cases with IoT, such as retail management with electronic shelf labels, asset management with environmental sensors and real-time location software, and much more. |
|
|
| Site Analytics |
Provides key client performance metrics (KPIs) about sites, buildings, and floors throughout the network. These metrics help identify opportunities to improve network performance or find problem areas. KPI thresholds are customizable and can be used to alert for network-wide issues. |
|
|
| App 360, AP 360, WLC 360, and Client 360 |
Display devices and client connectivity from any angle or context, providing for very granular troubleshooting in seconds. |
|
|
| Machine Reasoning Engine (MRE) for Wireless Serviceability |
Cisco Catalyst Center can grab AP and Client debug logs needed for troubleshooting via the Wireless Client and AP Data Collection MRE Workflows on the Network Reasoner page. |
|
|
| Webex® 360 |
Enhance Webex by Cisco end-users’ experience by proactively identifying and troubleshooting Webex clients using Webex 360 to compare quality metrics across audio, video, and shared components. |
|
|
| MS Teams 360 |
Enhance MS Teams end-users’ experience by proactively identifying and troubleshooting MS Teams clients using MS Teams 360 to compare quality metrics across audio, video, and shared components. |
|
|
The new Cisco Wi-Fi 7 access points, Cisco Wireless 9178I, 9176I, and 9176D1, are the first unified products that have the capability to automatically choose whether to operate in the cloud or on-premises for ultimate flexibility.
For more details, please visit Cisco Wireless 9176 and 9178 Series Access Points Data Sheets.
Cisco Networking Subscription deployment options
Deployment Options
Cloud: If you choose to manage your subscription in Meraki Dashboard, your Wi-Fi 7 deployment can be cloud-only, hybrid (both cloud and on-premises), or on-premises. For hybrid deployments, your inventory and license management is required through Meraki Dashboard.
Note: If you have Cloud Monitoring for Catalyst, choose Meraki Dashboard for management. Cloud monitoring for Catalyst provides an integrated view of Catalyst devices, seamlessly integrated into the Meraki dashboard experience.
On Premises: If you choose to manage your subscription in Cisco Smart Software Manager (CSSM), your Wi-Fi 7 deployment can be on premises only, with no access to Meraki Dashboard functionality.
Customers get consistent, reliable unified product support for both software and hardware included at the Cisco Networking Subscription level. This service includes access to Cisco Communities, 24x7 Technical Assistance Center (TAC) support, major software updates, maintenance, and minor software releases, digital insights, and e-Learning. Return Material Authorization (RMA) Upgrade service for hardware replacement can be added at the device level.
Benefits:
● Simplifies licensing and support procurement and renewals, making it easier for customers to manage their network and budget
● Provides reliable technical support to keep your network performing as expected
● Improves operational efficiency and reduces risk with digital insights, helping customers make informed decisions and tackle issues proactively
● Empowers teams with advanced learning skills they need to stay up-to-date with the latest product knowledge and best practices expertise
Table 3. Product Support
|
|
Cisco Networking subscription product support |
Cisco RMA Upgrade |
|
| Expert resources |
Communities: An active and collaborative place to learn more about our products and ask questions of peers and Cisco experts. |
Cisco |
|
| Trusted support |
24x7 access to TAC support for software, hardware, OS |
|
|
| Software and OS updates |
|
|
|
| Hardware RMA (available at the device level) |
Warranty1 |
Advance hardware replacement options: 2Hr/4Hr/NCD/NBD, Onsite |
|
| Cisco Support Assistant: AI-powered assistant provides customers and partners with a self-service guided experience for TAC engagements to get things done quicker. |
|
|
|
| Digital insights |
Assets and license view: Inventory of Cisco products with installed location, coverage information, and other details for better planning and budgeting. |
|
|
| Case management: Detailed status of support cases to track and improve case handling. |
|
|
|
| Security advisories, field notices, and bugs: Relevant PSIRTs, field notices, and bugs notification identified in your network to help mitigate the impact of known product vulnerabilities.2 |
|
|
|
| e-Learning |
e-Learning: On-demand courses and best practices on Cisco technologies and architectures through Cisco U. |
|
|
Unified licenses are compatible with the following:
Supported Access Points:
| Cisco Wireless 9178 Series |
CW9178I |
| Cisco Wireless 9176 Series |
CW9176I, CW9176D1 |
Supported Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs):
| Cisco 9800 Wireless LAN Controller Series |
C9800-80-K9, C9800-40-K9, C9800-L-C-K9, C9800-L-F-K9, C9800-CL |
| Cisco CW9800 Wireless LAN Controller Series |
CW9800H1, CW9800H2, CW9800M |
Unified Licensing SKUs:
| Cisco Wireless Essentials |
LIC-CW-E |
| Cisco Wireless Advantage |
LIC-CW-A |
Firmware requirements:
● On-premises: IOS-XE 17.15.2
● Cloud: no Meraki firmware requirements
Flexible payment options make it easier than ever to get the Cisco technology you need.
Cisco Capital® delivers leading-edge payment solutions, allowing you to stay focused on what’s most important—your business. We can help you drive business outcomes, accelerate innovation and digital transformation, and adapt to market dynamics faster with flexible payment options tailored to your specific business needs. Reduce the total cost of ownership, conserve capital, and accelerate growth. We help you realize the full benefits of Cisco technology today, and in the future, and pay for it in the way that best suits your business requirements. Whether you are looking for a pay-as-you consume model, or need to bundle Cisco hardware, software, services, subscriptions and third-party solutions, learn more about how Cisco Capital can help.