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Cisco switch license requirements

Certain feature-based licenses might be required for the Cisco switches in a fabric-attached MetroCluster configuration. These licenses enable you to use features such as QoS or long-distance mode credits on the switches. You must install the required feature-based licenses on all four switches in a MetroCluster configuration.

The following feature-based licenses might be required in a MetroCluster configuration:

  • ENTERPRISE_PKG

    This license enables you to use the QoS feature on Cisco switches.

  • PORT_ACTIVATION_PKG

    You can use this license for Cisco 9148 switches. This license enables you to activate or deactivate ports on the switches as long as only 16 ports are active at any given time. By default, 16 ports are enabled in Cisco MDS 9148 switches.

  • FM_SERVER_PKG

    This license enables you to manage fabrics simultaneously and to manage switches through a web browser.

    The FM_SERVER_PKG license also enables performance management features such as performance thresholds and threshold monitoring. For more information about this license, see the Cisco Fabric Manager Server Package.

You can verify that the licenses are installed by using the show license usage command. If you do not have these licenses, contact your sales representative before proceeding with the installation.

Note
The Cisco MDS 9250i switches have two fixed 1/10 GbE IP storage services ports. No additional licenses are required for these ports. The Cisco SAN Extension over IP application package is a standard license on these switches that enables features such as FCIP and compression.