Security is a concern for many customers. The options below are listed in an order from easiest to use to most secure.

• The first option is to transfer usage over the Internet to the Cloud server directly from the devices to the cloud via HTTPs.

• The second option is to transfer files directly over the Internet to the Cloud server through an HTTPs proxy, either Smart Call Home Transport Gateway or off the shelf HTTPs proxy such as Apache.

• The third option uses a customer internal collection device called the “Cisco Smart Software Satellite.” The Satellite periodically transmits the information into the cloud using periodic network synchronization. In this instance the only customer system or database transferring information to the cloud is the Satellite. The customer can control what is included in the collector database, which lends itself to higher security.

• The fourth option is to use the Satellite, but to transfer the collected files using manual synchronization at least once a month. In this model the system is not directly connected to the Cloud and an air gap exists between the customers network and the Cisco Cloud.

• Cisco 5520, 8540 Series Wireless LAN Controller or virtual Wireless LAN Controller

• 802.11n/ac Access Points

• Cisco Catalyst Switch

• Client computer (example. laptop) that is Windows or Mac, with an available wired Ethernet port

• Wireless clients (tablets, smartphones, and so on.)

A Customer Smart Account provides the repository for Smart enabled products and enables Users to manage Cisco Licenses. Once they are deposited, Users can activate licenses, monitor license usage and track Cisco purchases. Your Smart Account can be managed by the Customer directly or a Channel Partner or authorized party. All Customers will need to create a Customer Smart Account to fully utilize the license management features of their smart enabled products. The creation of your Customer Smart Account is a one-time setup activity using the link Training Resources for Customers, Partners, Distributors, B2B

After the Customer Smart Account Request has been submitted and the Account Domain Identifier has been approved (if edited), the Creator will receive an email notification informing them that they will need to complete the Customer Smart Account setup in Cisco Software Central (CSC).

The process of ordering a vWLC, 5520 and 8540 Series Wireless LAN Controller on CCW remains the same. Licenses on existing and newly purchased vWLC, 5520 and 8540 WLCs can be migrated to Smart Accounts by following the instructions in the License Migration Section: http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/technology/mesh/8-2/b_Smart_Licensing_Deployment_Guide.html#task_A7D4748711EC4E4784D18D878FC4F39D

Cisco Smart Software Manager enables you to manage all of your Cisco Smart software licenses from one centralized website. With Cisco Smart Software Manager, you organize and view your licenses in groups called virtual accounts. You use Cisco Smart Software Manager to transfer the licenses between virtual accounts as needed.

You can access CSSM from the Cisco Software Central homepage at https://software.cisco.com/# under the Smart Licensing section.

Cisco Smart Software Manager is divided into two main sections: a Navigation pane on the top and the main Work pane.

You can use the Navigation pane to do the following tasks:

• Choose virtual accounts from the list of all virtual accounts that are accessible by the user.
  

  

  
  
• Run reports against your virtual accounts.
  

  

  
  
• Modify your email notification settings.
  

  

  
  
• Manage Major and Minor Alerts.
  

  

  
  

• View overall account activity, license transactions and event log.

The following web browsers are supported for Cisco Smart Software Manager:

• Chrome 36.0 and later versions

• Firefox 30.0 and later versions

• Safari 5.1.7

• Internet Explorer 10.0 and later versions

Note	Javascript 1.5 or a later version must be enabled in your browser.

Smart Licensing is fully supported with the N+1 stateless as well as SSO mode of High Availability.

In the case of SSO, the active controller performs a group registration using the token ID for itself and the Hot Standby Controller. As a result, when a switch over occurs, the Smart Licensing backend is ready for the standby WLC to continue its duties where the active WLC had stopped, satisfying the HA requirements.

A pair of HA controllers can be identified on the CSSM portal by the 'group' icon next to the WLC as shown:

In the case of box RMA, the customer is required to manually remove the WLC from the CSSM web page so that associated entitlements are released back to the pool of licenses on the Customer Smart Account.