Comments on: Key Change for Cisco IOS 15 – Feature Licensing and How We Work. http://etherealmind.com/ios-15-licensing-how-we-work/ Network design, architecture, thinking, working. Tech. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:43:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ixne http://etherealmind.com/ios-15-licensing-how-we-work/#comment-1710 Ixne Tue, 04 Jan 2011 18:34:51 +0000 http://etherealmind.com/ios-15-licensing-how-we-work/#comment-1710 " The increase in software revenue should mean a reduction in hardware price, but I doubt that this will happen. I expect Cisco to increase their profit margin even further." This is exactly what has happened. A 24-port switch that cost $3000 now has an additional $2000 tacked on if you want basic IP Services. Ridiculous! ” The increase in software revenue should mean a reduction in hardware price, but I doubt that this will happen. I expect Cisco to increase their profit margin even further.”

This is exactly what has happened. A 24-port switch that cost $3000 now has an additional $2000 tacked on if you want basic IP Services. Ridiculous!

]]> By: Is Cisco Licensing an attack on Corporate Privacy and Security ? | My Etherealmind http://etherealmind.com/ios-15-licensing-how-we-work/#comment-1709 Is Cisco Licensing an attack on Corporate Privacy and Security ? | My Etherealmind Sun, 09 May 2010 21:31:33 +0000 http://etherealmind.com/ios-15-licensing-how-we-work/#comment-1709 [...] the authorI was reviewing a design for Cisco License Manager today. I have written previously on how it will impact our current [...] [...] the authorI was reviewing a design for Cisco License Manager today. I have written previously on how it will impact our current [...]

]]> By: Kiwi http://etherealmind.com/ios-15-licensing-how-we-work/#comment-1708 Kiwi Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:50:06 +0000 http://etherealmind.com/ios-15-licensing-how-we-work/#comment-1708 The majority of the routers we are deploying are for VPN functions - in theory licencing should be a huge advantage as effectively everyone new 2900/3900 router purchase has all the hardware we need and we unlock it as required versus previous routers where we needed AIM's/additional RAM/flash to get a base unit upto the level of a VPN security bundle router. There are two major downsides: - I can see this causing problems with GNS so it will push some of the problems we deal with internally from GNS back to TAC - there's some licencing gotchas (3900's will only do 85Mbps IPSec on a security licence). Yes they'll be fixed, but it's annoying paying for one level of performance and getting less. The fix is a new licence which will probably more money :-( The majority of the routers we are deploying are for VPN functions – in theory licencing should be a huge advantage as effectively everyone new 2900/3900 router purchase has all the hardware we need and we unlock it as required versus previous routers where we needed AIM’s/additional RAM/flash to get a base unit upto the level of a VPN security bundle router.

There are two major downsides:
- I can see this causing problems with GNS so it will push some of the problems we deal with internally from GNS back to TAC
- there’s some licencing gotchas (3900′s will only do 85Mbps IPSec on a security licence). Yes they’ll be fixed, but it’s annoying paying for one level of performance and getting less. The fix is a new licence which will probably more money :-(

]]> By: Jenny http://etherealmind.com/ios-15-licensing-how-we-work/#comment-1707 Jenny Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:07:02 +0000 http://etherealmind.com/ios-15-licensing-how-we-work/#comment-1707 Hi Greg, I came across your quote in Jessica Scarpati's article on SearchDataCenter, and posed the question to our members: http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/itanswers/ciscos-ios-emulator-crackdown-what-are-your-thoughts/ Do you think an "educational license" or something similar would be helpful in easing some of these concerns? Hi Greg,

I came across your quote in Jessica Scarpati’s article on SearchDataCenter, and posed the question to our members:

http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/itanswers/ciscos-ios-emulator-crackdown-what-are-your-thoughts/

Do you think an “educational license” or something similar would be helpful in easing some of these concerns?

]]> By: :),, ??? ??? ??????? IOS ????? ???? ?? ????? http://etherealmind.com/ios-15-licensing-how-we-work/#comment-1706 :),, ??? ??? ??????? IOS ????? ???? ?? ????? Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:49:02 +0000 http://etherealmind.com/ios-15-licensing-how-we-work/#comment-1706 [...] Greg Ferro of Etherealmind has†pointed out, IOS 15.0 will be introducing some significant complexity into the way we install and manage IOS [...] [...] Greg Ferro of Etherealmind has†pointed out, IOS 15.0 will be introducing some significant complexity into the way we install and manage IOS [...]

]]> By: Gruic http://etherealmind.com/ios-15-licensing-how-we-work/#comment-1705 Gruic Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:17:07 +0000 http://etherealmind.com/ios-15-licensing-how-we-work/#comment-1705 Cisco is way expensive for what you're getting. As a CCNP with over 15 years experience with Cisco products, I've seen them go from a dynamic growing company to greedy SOBs. We've known this day would come for a long time and for a lot of my customers, it now means not choosing cisco gear. This also basically kills the used gear market for cisco. Want to get a bit more life out of that router? Now you'll have to throw it away instead of get the next software release for it. I see a the future in crowd-sourced projects that are also open source. Vyatta.com is a good example of what a crowd-sourced project can accomplish. It's tough enough to be a good engineer and keep up with everything, without having to spend even more BS time dealing with licensing... Just my two cents. Take it or leave it. -Gruic Cisco is way expensive for what you’re getting. As a CCNP with over 15 years experience with Cisco products, I’ve seen them go from a dynamic growing company to greedy SOBs. We’ve known this day would come for a long time and for a lot of my customers, it now means not choosing cisco gear. This also basically kills the used gear market for cisco. Want to get a bit more life out of that router? Now you’ll have to throw it away instead of get the next software release for it. I see a the future in crowd-sourced projects that are also open source. Vyatta.com is a good example of what a crowd-sourced project can accomplish. It’s tough enough to be a good engineer and keep up with everything, without having to spend even more BS time dealing with licensing… Just my two cents. Take it or leave it. -Gruic

]]> By: Steve B http://etherealmind.com/ios-15-licensing-how-we-work/#comment-1704 Steve B Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:30:16 +0000 http://etherealmind.com/ios-15-licensing-how-we-work/#comment-1704 I think "Your Nuts" is on the Cisco board. The Bonus centric mindset is the only reason for an attitude that belligerent. Anyway my 2p worth: Pros: Less trouble/confusion over IOS images i.e. Problems TFTP'ing, getting wrong version and not having the feature you require etc Much simpler to upgrade IOS Image (Although this isn't exactly a daily thing IMO, updating the version rather than image type is much more likely) Err that's all I can think off. Cons: An extra stage of work when carrying out a hardware swap, if it's a high severity issue and there is a problem with the license side of thing people are going to get annoyed as Cisco have made their product less user friendly. Issues with training(GNS3) and testing in a lab environment. Performance/high end feature crippled IOS images being released to individuals via their CCO login would be nice to solve this? Confusion, hassle and time/money wasted as changes have to be digested by enterprises large and small. Will surely involve downtime for someone, somewhere the first time they encounter it. Feeling of being ripped off by Cisco. Not an issue so much for me as an Operations Engineer but looking at the bigger picture I agree fully with your comments above about profit margins and the point at which people move to HP, Huawei etc I think “Your Nuts” is on the Cisco board. The Bonus centric mindset is the only reason for an attitude that belligerent.

Anyway my 2p worth:

Pros: Less trouble/confusion over IOS images i.e. Problems TFTP’ing, getting wrong version and not having the feature you require etc

Much simpler to upgrade IOS Image (Although this isn’t exactly a daily thing IMO, updating the version rather than image type is much more likely)

Err that’s all I can think off.

Cons: An extra stage of work when carrying out a hardware swap, if it’s a high severity issue and there is a problem with the license side of thing people are going to get annoyed as Cisco have made their product less user friendly.

Issues with training(GNS3) and testing in a lab environment. Performance/high end feature crippled IOS images being released to individuals via their CCO login would be nice to solve this?

Confusion, hassle and time/money wasted as changes have to be digested by enterprises large and small. Will surely involve downtime for someone, somewhere the first time they encounter it.

Feeling of being ripped off by Cisco. Not an issue so much for me as an Operations Engineer but looking at the bigger picture I agree fully with your comments above about profit margins and the point at which people move to HP, Huawei etc

]]> By: Nicolas http://etherealmind.com/ios-15-licensing-how-we-work/#comment-1703 Nicolas Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:25:18 +0000 http://etherealmind.com/ios-15-licensing-how-we-work/#comment-1703 Good Post, I didn't know about this Feature Licensing. On the other hand, while flash cards are cheaper these days (especially non Cisco), it seems like you'd also need some extra RAM to run 15.0, don't you?. Thanks. Good Post, I didn’t know about this Feature Licensing. On the other hand, while flash cards are cheaper these days (especially non Cisco), it seems like you’d also need some extra RAM to run 15.0, don’t you?. Thanks.

]]> By: 1001QA http://etherealmind.com/ios-15-licensing-how-we-work/#comment-1702 1001QA Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:39:53 +0000 http://etherealmind.com/ios-15-licensing-how-we-work/#comment-1702 Any idea what is going to happen with the people who want to practice with older hardware but with the newest IOS? Is there going to be a "For training only" licensing program? When do you thing we can expect this new IOS in the CCIE labs? Any idea what is going to happen with the people who want to practice with older hardware but with the newest IOS? Is there going to be a “For training only” licensing program?
When do you thing we can expect this new IOS in the CCIE labs?

]]> By: Greg Ferro http://etherealmind.com/ios-15-licensing-how-we-work/#comment-1701 Greg Ferro Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:23:20 +0000 http://etherealmind.com/ios-15-licensing-how-we-work/#comment-1701 I don't have a problem with it, but a lot of people certainly will. Many people are not good at learning and the licensing requirement will change a lot of corporate and enterprise operation plans. Not everyone is highly motivated and willing to learn new methods. Second, it is for Cisco to decide to make more revenue by enforcing licensing and that's fine by me. However, Cisco already makes a 65% gross profit margin on their products and I believe that the price of software licenses has been built in to the overall product price (especially the hardware). The question is whether we will see reductions in the price of hardware now the price of the software licenses is enforced. The increase in software revenue should mean a reduction in hardware price, but I doubt that this will happen. I expect Cisco to increase their profit margin even further. Will customers continue to pay the high prices or switch Huawei instead ? Many companies have already switched for exactly that reason. I don’t have a problem with it, but a lot of people certainly will. Many people are not good at learning and the licensing requirement will change a lot of corporate and enterprise operation plans. Not everyone is highly motivated and willing to learn new methods.

Second, it is for Cisco to decide to make more revenue by enforcing licensing and that’s fine by me. However, Cisco already makes a 65% gross profit margin on their products and I believe that the price of software licenses has been built in to the overall product price (especially the hardware).

The question is whether we will see reductions in the price of hardware now the price of the software licenses is enforced. The increase in software revenue should mean a reduction in hardware price, but I doubt that this will happen. I expect Cisco to increase their profit margin even further.

Will customers continue to pay the high prices or switch Huawei instead ? Many companies have already switched for exactly that reason.

]]> By: Your Nuts http://etherealmind.com/ios-15-licensing-how-we-work/#comment-1700 Your Nuts Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:45:01 +0000 http://etherealmind.com/ios-15-licensing-how-we-work/#comment-1700 Wow having to do proper licensing is troublesome for you? Are you sure you should be doing this type of work. Cisco should have been enforcing this all along, they do on the MDS, PIX, ASA, IPS, Nexus, etc etc. Unified Communication Manager has for a while, and unity has as well. THis is part of life, get used to it. People want to be paid for their work. Instead of complaining why not examine how many companies buy IP BASE and use advanced IP services? This is a revenue loss for Cisco, which lowers the money they can spend on support and R&D. Come on be realistic here and not hyped up. Wow having to do proper licensing is troublesome for you? Are you sure you should be doing this type of work. Cisco should have been enforcing this all along, they do on the MDS, PIX, ASA, IPS, Nexus, etc etc. Unified Communication Manager has for a while, and unity has as well.

THis is part of life, get used to it. People want to be paid for their work.

Instead of complaining why not examine how many companies buy IP BASE and use advanced IP services? This is a revenue loss for Cisco, which lowers the money they can spend on support and R&D. Come on be realistic here and not hyped up.

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