Cisco Cisco IPS 4255 Sensor

This section describes how to obtain a license key and how to license the sensor using the CLI, IDM, or 
IME. It contains the following topics:

Although the sensor functions without the license key, you must have a license key to obtain signature 
updates. 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 

 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.

For more information on Cisco service contracts, see 

.

For the procedure for obtaining and installing the license, see 

.