Cisco C9500 ESS Software Subscription, 28 Port 100G Fiber, 5 Year License
This 5-year software subscription for Cisco C9500 switches unlocks advanced network capabilities and ensures continuous operation for your business infrastructure.
- License Term: Provides 5 years of access to essential software features and ongoing updates for your Cisco C9500 platform.
- Feature Access: Unlocks advanced networking functionalities, enhancing performance, security, and manageability of your core infrastructure.
- Compliance Assurance: Maintains software currency, helping meet regulatory requirements and industry best practices for network operations.
- Operational Continuity: Guarantees continued access to Cisco's support and software development, minimizing downtime risk and ensuring network stability.
Product Overview
Product Overview
This is a 5-year software subscription license for the Cisco C9500 Essential (ESS) series switches, specifically designed for models with 28 ports supporting 100G fiber connectivity. It provides access to a suite of software features and ongoing updates necessary for the full operation and management of these high-performance network devices.
This subscription is ideal for IT Managers and IT Professionals in mid-market to enterprise environments who rely on the C9500 platform for their core network switching. It ensures their hardware remains current with the latest software capabilities, security patches, and operational enhancements, fitting directly into their existing network stack.
- Extended Software Access: Grants 5 years of entitlement to Cisco's Essential software features for the C9500 platform.
- Performance Enhancements: Unlocks capabilities that optimize traffic flow, improve network speed, and support demanding applications.
- Security Updates: Ensures access to critical security patches and vulnerability fixes to protect your network infrastructure.
- Management Tools: Provides access to advanced features for network monitoring, configuration, and troubleshooting.
- Compliance Readiness: Helps maintain software versions that align with industry regulations and corporate governance standards.
This 5-year subscription is the essential choice for businesses needing to maximize the value and longevity of their Cisco C9500 network investment.
What This Enables
Unlock Advanced Network Features
Enable teams to deploy sophisticated network services and optimize traffic for demanding business applications. Streamline network management with access to enhanced monitoring and configuration tools.
core network infrastructure, high-performance switching, data center connectivity, enterprise campus networks
Ensure Software Currency and Compliance
Automate the process of staying current with Cisco's latest software releases and security patches. Maintain compliance with industry regulations and internal IT policies by ensuring your network devices are supported.
regulated environments, IT governance frameworks, security posture management, long-term IT asset planning
Maintain Operational Stability
Protect against unexpected service disruptions by guaranteeing access to ongoing software development and support. Reduce the risk of hardware becoming obsolete due to unsupported software versions.
business-critical operations, 24/7 service availability, network uptime requirements, risk mitigation strategies
Key Features
5-Year Subscription Term
Provides long-term access to software features and support, simplifying budgeting and ensuring continuity for your network infrastructure.
Cisco Essential Software (ESS)
Unlocks a core set of advanced features for routing, switching, security, and management on the C9500 platform.
100G Fiber Port Support
Ensures optimal performance and compatibility for high-speed network connections critical for data-intensive business operations.
Software Updates and Patches
Guarantees access to the latest security fixes and feature enhancements, protecting your network and improving its capabilities.
Cisco TAC Access (as applicable)
Provides entitlement to technical support resources for troubleshooting and issue resolution, minimizing downtime.
Industry Applications
Finance & Insurance
Financial institutions require high-performance, secure, and reliable network infrastructure to handle sensitive data and ensure continuous trading operations, making advanced switching capabilities essential.
Healthcare & Life Sciences
Healthcare organizations must maintain strict data privacy (HIPAA) and ensure constant availability of critical systems for patient care, necessitating robust and compliant network solutions.
Manufacturing & Industrial
Industrial environments often require high-throughput, low-latency networks for operational technology (OT) and IT convergence, demanding reliable switching for automation and data acquisition.
Education & Research
Universities and research institutions manage large, complex networks supporting numerous users and data-intensive applications, requiring scalable and high-performance switching solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a software subscription license?
A software subscription license grants you the right to use specific software features for a defined period, typically including access to updates and support. This model contrasts with perpetual licenses, offering flexibility and continuous access to the latest technology.
What does the 'ESS' designation mean?
ESS stands for Essential. This indicates a specific software feature set for the Cisco Catalyst 9500 series, offering a balance of core networking capabilities suitable for many business environments.
How does this license apply to my Cisco C9500 switch?
This license is tied to your specific Cisco C9500 switch model (28-port 100G fiber). Activating it unlocks the Essential software features and ensures you receive updates and support for the 5-year term.
Deployment & Support
Deployment Complexity
Medium — IT-assisted
Fulfillment
Digital Delivery
License keys / portal provisioning
Support Model
Zent Networks Managed
Renewal, add-license, and lifecycle management included
Subscription Terms
Cancellation
Cancel anytime — no charge on next cycle
You may cancel this subscription at any time. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period. You will not be charged for the following billing cycle. Access remains active through the end of the paid term.
Returns
Subscription licenses are non-refundable
Digital software licenses and SaaS subscriptions cannot be returned once activated or provisioned. Contact a Zent Networks account manager if you have questions before purchasing.