Cisco Cisco License Manager SDK Information Guide
Q&A
© 2009 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information.
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Cisco License Manager 3.0
Last updated: October 2009
Product Overview
Q.
What does Cisco
®
License Manager do in a Cisco network?
A.
Cisco License Manager is a secure client/server-based application to manage Cisco IOS
®
Software activation
and license management for a wide range of Cisco platforms running Cisco IOS Software as well as other
operating systems. It automates the workflow associated with Cisco IOS Software activation through its wizard-
based GUI and scales for large network deployments. Cisco License Manager accelerates deployment of
licenses using policy-based license management and helps enable you to rapidly roll out advanced services in
your networks.
Cisco License Manager also provides an optional full-functionality Java Software Development Kit (SDK) to
integrate with your existing license or asset management products and protects your investment in these assets.
integrate with your existing license or asset management products and protects your investment in these assets.
Q.
Does Cisco License Manager manage software activation and licenses for other Cisco products, such as
Cisco PIX
®
security appliances and Cisco Unified Communications Manager software?
A.
At this time, Cisco License Manager 3.0 manages software activation and license management for a wide range
of Cisco platforms running Cisco IOS Software as well as other operating systems such as Cisco Catalyst
®
3750-E, 3560-E Series Switches as well as Cisco PIX, ASA, IPS, and Cisco MDS 9000 Family of Multilayer
Switches. Cisco Unified Communications Manager software licenses are not supported by CLM 3.0. Please see
the supported device list in the data sheet.
Q.
Can all Cisco License Manager users access Product Authorization Keys (PAKs)?
A.
Only Cisco License Manager users with the appropriate privileges can view full PAK strings. Other users will see
either the user-assigned tag for a given PAK or only the last four characters of the PAK.
Q.
Is there a nonencryption (non-K9) version of the product?
A.
Cisco License Manager 3.0 requires encryption (K9) software to interact with the Cisco.com license server. The
Cisco.com interactions are mandatory to automate licensing workflow, and this communication cannot be made
optional. Therefore, a nonencryption (non-K9) version of the product is not available. Please work with your
account team to obtain export permissions.
Device Management
Q.
Do I need any agent configured on my managed devices before using Cisco License Manager?
A.
No, Cisco License Manager does not require that any agent be configured on devices for license management.
Cisco License Manager can manage licenses using Telnet, Secure Shell (SSH) Protocol, and a command-line
interface (CLI). In addition, it can communicate with license agents on devices using Extensible Markup
Language (XML) over HTTPS to manage licenses if you have enabled this facility.
Q.
Can I specify the order of the connection protocol to be used to access my managed devices?
A.
Yes, Cisco License Manager allows you to specify the preferred connection method for autodiscovery so that
you can try HTTPS first before using Telnet or SSH. Cisco License Manager device properties will show you the
method that was used for device communication.