Cisco Advanced IP Feature License

The Cisco Advanced IP Feature License is a strategic entitlement that unlocks a comprehensive set of high-performance IP capabilities for Cisco routers in the ASR 9000 family and related migration kits. Designed for service providers and enterprises with dense port deployments, this license enables scalable, feature-rich networking without requiring a hardware refresh. It combines flexible, future-proof IP services with high-density port support, so you can deploy, optimize, and evolve your network as traffic patterns and service demands grow. Whether you are expanding a data center spine, optimizing WAN edge connectivity, or delivering advanced VPNs and MPLS-based services, this license provides the essential capabilities to stay ahead in a fast-moving digital landscape.

• Bullet Point 1: Unlock a broad, enterprise-grade IP feature set that covers core routing protocols, MPLS, VPNs, quality of service (QoS), traffic engineering, multicast, and security-enabled IP services. This license empowers sophisticated network designs—such as large-scale EVPN/VXLAN deployments, MPLS-TE paths, and VRF-based multi-tenant environments—without hardware upgrades. By enabling these capabilities, you can deliver resilient, scalable services with predictable performance and granular traffic control, all while simplifying operational management through a single licensing model.
• Bullet Point 2: High-density 48 x 1G/10G SE LC port support. The license is configured to maximize port density on supported Cisco platforms, allowing 48 ports to run at either 1 Gbps or 10 Gbps per port with LC optics. This density is ideal for data centers, metro networks, and service-provider cores where scalable IP services must coexist with dense access and aggregation layers. The flexible port footprint reduces cable management complexity, lowers total cost of ownership, and enhances space utilization in high-demand environments.
• Bullet Point 3: Broad platform compatibility and migration support. The license is designed for Cisco ASR 9000 series devices and related migration kits (MIG-KIT), including models such as ASR-9006, ASR-9010, ASR-9904, ASR-9906, and ASR-9910. This ensures a smooth upgrade path for customers migrating from prior IP feature licenses or scaling to higher port densities, enabling a unified licensing experience across the portfolio. It also helps protect existing investments by enabling continued feature access as you refresh or expand your network fabric.
• Bullet Point 4: Flexible licensing model and validation. The Advanced IP Feature License is designed to be managed within Cisco’s licensing framework, supporting both local entitlement and Cisco Smart Licensing where applicable. This flexibility simplifies administration across multi-site deployments and aligns with operational workflows for license provisioning, tracking, and compliance. The entitlement model provides predictable access to feature sets, with the option to adapt as your network evolves—without being locked into an expensive, recurring subscription for standard IP services.
• Bullet Point 5: Performance, reliability, and ongoing value. Enabling this license helps ensure IP features run at line-rate on high-traffic networks, preserving throughput and minimizing CPU overhead. By offloading advanced IP processing to eligible hardware paths, you can maintain low latency and high packet-per-second performance during peak loads. In addition, Cisco’s ongoing support, software updates, and security patches help keep your network resilient against evolving threats and compliant with current best practices.

Technical Details of Cisco Advanced IP Feature License

• License Type: Permanent entitlement with optional upgrade and support pathways through Cisco licensing programs.
• Supported Platforms: Cisco ASR 9000 family devices and associated MIG-KIT platforms, including ASR-9006, ASR-9010, ASR-9904, ASR-9906, ASR-9910, and related 48 x 1G/10G SE LC port configurations.
• Port Coverage: 48 ports of 1G or 10G Ethernet per license, configured with SE LC optics compatibility where applicable.
• Port Speed Flexibility: Each port can operate at 1 Gbps or 10 Gbps, enabling flexible deployment to match bandwidth needs and fiber availability.
• Deployment Model: Compatible with data-center, edge, and core deployments that require high-density IP feature support, MPLS/VPN capabilities, QoS, and advanced routing features.
• Licensing Management: Supports Cisco Smart Licensing and local entitlement options, allowing centralized or offline license management depending on your network design.
• Upgrade and Migration: Designed to work with MIG-KIT upgrade paths, enabling seamless transitions for customers upgrading from prior IP feature licenses or expanding port density on existing devices.

How to install Cisco Advanced IP Feature License

• Prepare the device and entitlement: Verify that your Cisco platform is on a supported release and has an eligible entitlement for the Advanced IP Feature License. Confirm the MIG-KIT compatibility if you are upgrading from a previous license or migrating devices.
• Obtain the license entitlement: Retrieve the license file or token from Cisco’s licensing portal or your authorized reseller, ensuring the correct SKU alignment with your device model and port configuration (e.g., 48 x 1G/10G SE LC).
• Install the license on the device: Transfer the license file or enable the entitlement via the device’s licensing interface. Follow your standard process for license installation—either through the CLI, the device’s GUI (if available), or the Cisco Smart Licensing portal.
• Activate and verify: After installation, activate the license per your platform’s procedure and verify the license state with the appropriate show commands or licensing dashboard to confirm the Advanced IP Feature entitlement is active and ready for use.
• Apply and test: Ensure the feature set is applied to the intended interfaces and routing domains. Validate functionality by running representative traffic flows, QoS policies, MPLS tunnels, VPN services, and any other IP features you require, then monitor performance and stability.
• Finalize and document: Save the configuration and documentation of the license, including entitlement IDs and device serials. Maintain compliance with license terms and renewals as needed and schedule periodic reviews as your network evolves.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the Cisco Advanced IP Feature License used for? It unlocks a broad suite of high-performance IP features on supported Cisco routers, enabling advanced routing, MPLS, VPNs, QoS, traffic engineering, and security services to meet complex enterprise and service-provider requirements.
• Which devices are supported? The license is designed for Cisco ASR 9000 series devices and related MIG-KIT platforms, including models such as ASR-9006, ASR-9010, ASR-9904, ASR-9906, and ASR-9910, along with the corresponding 48 x 1G/10G SE LC port configurations.
• Is the license permanent? Yes, the Advanced IP Feature License is offered as a permanent entitlement, with upgrade and support options available through Cisco licensing programs. This provides ongoing feature access without a recurring subscription for the base entitlement.
• Do I need a MIG-KIT to use this license? MIG-KITs are commonly used to upgrade or migrate licenses on certain ASR platforms. If your deployment requires upgrading from an older license or expanding hardware capabilities, a MIG-KIT may be applicable to ensure a smooth transition.
• How do I install and activate the license? Licenses can be installed via Cisco’s licensing framework, either through Smart Licensing or local entitlement. The process typically involves obtaining the license file or token, loading it to the device, activating the entitlement, and verifying the license state before validating feature availability.
• Will this license affect performance? The license is designed to enable advanced IP features while preserving throughput and reducing CPU load on capable hardware. In combination with the platform’s hardware acceleration paths, this helps maintain high performance under heavy traffic with dense port densities.