Cisco Catalyst 4500E Licensing Guide – Tiers & Features

Cisco is a brand that is well known for its excellent network solutions be it both hardware or software. While all of these offerings are readily available for use out of the box, there are several additional features that are only unlocked once you have acquired the appropriate license like Cisco Catalyst 4500E licensing software.

Cisco Catalyst 4500E software licensing is one of these licenses. So, let us explore the Cisco Catalyst 4500E software license and understand how they work.

Cisco Catalyst 4500E Licensing Model

Cisco Catalyst 4500E software licenses are comprised of a universal Cisco IOS XE image that includes all software features. Each of the software features is available at tiered levels of licensing allowing for adaptability of functionality to suit the administrators’ requirements without requiring alternate firmware.

In other words, depending on the tier of license you acquire, the software features available to you will be different. These tiers fall into categories known as LAN Base, IP Base, and Enterprise Services, with each tier expanding on the capabilities of the one before it.

This means that as your business continues to grow, you can ascend to the next tier which will unlock additional features the previous tier lacked, giving you flexibility in scaling.

LAN Base Licensing Tier

The LAN Base tier of the Cisco Catalyst 4500E software licensing model gives access to basic access control functionality like VLANs, Spanning Tree Protocol, link aggregation, and port security. This makes it the ideal license for networks that require enhanced switching capabilities but do not require routing.

Organizations with generally static network environments or basic access layer needs can easily get by with the LAN Base tier until they are ready to upgrade their current network.

IP Base Licensing Tier

IP Base license is the next tier of the Cisco Catalyst 4500E software licensing model that unlocks the Layer 3 capabilities of Cisco’s software. With this license tier, you unlock the support for routing protocols such as Open Shortest Path First, Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol in stub mode, and static routing.

You also receive access to exclusive quality of service features of the Layer 3. Organizations look at IP Base when there is a need for inter-VLAN routing or more complex topologies and resiliency in their design. This software license is best for you if you need a substantial upgrade from the LAN Base license but are not ready yet for the Enterprise Services tier.

Enterprise Services Licensing Tier

The Enterprise Services tier is the highest tier in the Cisco Catalyst 4500E software licensing model. If your businesses have large-scale complex networking requirements, this is the license for you.

You get access to advanced features such as Border Gateway Protocol, all of Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol, Policy-Based Routing, Multicast Routing, Virtual Routing and Forwarding, and MPLS capabilities.

These features suit more extensive, segmented environments such as service provider networks, multi-tenant data centers, and enterprise cores. Administrators deploy this license in scenarios that demand dynamic routing, traffic segmentation, and support for multiple logical networks over a single physical infrastructure.

When you need the best that Cisco has to offer, this is the license you should be getting.

Cisco DNA and Software Subscriptions

Besides the core license tiers, the Cisco Catalyst 4500E Licensing model also incorporates the Cisco DNA subscription as well. Cisco DNA licenses also have three levels including Essential, Advantage, and Premier. Cisco DNA is focused on network security with each level of license unlocking more advanced security features for your business network.

The big difference aside from the intended purpose of these licenses is that Cisco DNA licenses are not perpetual in nature. These licenses have a lifespan which can range from 1 year to 7 years. To keep these licenses active, you will need to pay a subscription fee at the specified times.

Upgrade Path and Activation Flexibility

One of the best features of the Cisco Catalyst 4500E Software Licensing model is the flexibility of upgrading. With the universal IOS XE image, customers can upgrade from one tier to another by simply activating the proper license key. There is no need to install a different software image or interrupt service.

This means you can scale the functionality of Cisco software with your business needs without major downtime or costly migrations.

So, if you are looking for Cisco Catalyst 4500E software licensing, connect with us on WhatsApp today.