Configuration Guide User guide

200 FastIron Configuration Guide
53-1002494-02
Software-based licensing overview
If a delivery method is not specified at the time of the order, the key will be delivered by the way
of paper-pack.
Software-based licensing overview
Prior to the introduction of software-based licensing, Brocade supported hardware-based licensing,
where an EEPROM was used to upgrade a Layer 2 or base Layer 3 switch to a premium or
advanced Layer 3 switch. With the introduction of software-based licensing, one or more valid
software licenses are required to run such licensed features on the device.
Software-based licensing is designed to work together with hardware-based licensing. The first
release of software-based licensing employs a combination of hardware-based and software-based
licensing. A Brocade device can use hardware-based licensing, software-based licensing, or both.
Future releases that support software-based licensing will use software-based licensing only,
eliminating the need for a customer- or factory-installed EEPROM on the management module or
switch backplane.
Software-based licensing provides increased scalability and rapid deployment of hardware and
software features on the supported Brocade family of switches. For example, for premium
upgrades, it is no longer necessary to physically open the chassis and install an EEPROM to
upgrade the system. Instead, the Web is used to generate, download, and install a software license
that enables premium features on the device.
NOTE
An ICX device only supports software-based licensing. Hardware-based licensing is not supported on
ICX devices.
How software-based licensing works
A permanent license can be ordered pre-installed in a Brocade device when first shipped from the
factory, or later ordered and installed by the customer. In either case, additional licenses can be
ordered as needed.
When a license is ordered separately (not pre-installed), an entitlement certificate or e-mail
message, along with a transaction key, are issued to the customer by Brocade as proof of
purchase. The transaction key and LID of the Brocade device are used to generate a license key
from the Brocade software licensing portal. The license key is contained within a license file, which
is downloaded to the customer’s PC, where the file can then be transferred to a TFTP or SCP server,
and then uploaded to the Brocade device.
Once a license is installed on the Brocade device, it has the following effects:
• For FCX and ICX devices, the license unlocks the licensed feature and it becomes available
immediately. There is no need to reload the software.
• For FWS, FESX6, and FSX devices, the license unlocks the ability to upload the software image
(for example, edge Layer 3 or full Layer 3) onto the device. Once the software image is installed
and the software is reloaded, the license unlocks the licensed feature.
NOTE
You cannot load the edge Layer 3 software image on a FWS device without first purchasing and
installing a license on the device. Likewise, you cannot load the full Layer 3 software image on
a FESX6 or FSX device without first purchasing and installing a license on the device.