Smart Licensing and PAK Licensing (Option Keys) Compared
Cisco Expressway supports either of these two licensing modes:
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PAK-based licensing. The classic, traditional method uses option keys (also known as Product Activation Keys) to install licenses on Expressway. Note that option keys are not just used for licenses, but also to enable certain features and services.
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Smart Licensing. The newer licensing method is available for Expressway from X12.6. This method is typically managed with our cloud-based Cisco Smart Software Manager (CSSM). Alternatively, deployments that need an on premises approach can use the Smart Software Manager On-Prem product (formerly known as "Smart Software Manager satellite").
Only one licensing mode is supported at any time.
Expressway is set to PAK-based licensing by default. You can switch to Smart Licensing from the web interface (
) although be aware that switching back to PAK needs a factory reset.Smart Licensing is not available with features that use option keys. Some Expressway features are enabled by option keys. Because option keys are incompatible with Smart Licensing, if you need any features that require option keys, you must use PAK-based licensing and not Smart Licensing.