We know that Cisco ISR G2 routers run Cisco IOS software. If you bought a Cisco ISR G2 router, you found that it shipped with a universal Cisco IOS Software image that contained all the features available for use on the routers. But a specific feature set is activated by using technology package licenses such as Security, Unified Communications, and Data. And an individual feature license must be purchased for the specific Cisco IOS Software image for each router on which the image will be used.
Upgrade features may be licensed separately, and special Cisco IOS features are licensed separately, either on a flat usage or per-seat basis, depending on the features.
The Cisco IOS Software packaging model for the Cisco 3900, 2900, and 1900 Series Integrated Services Routers
Two types of universal images are supported on Cisco ISR G2 routers:
• Universal images with the universalk9 in the image name: This universal image offers all the Cisco IOS Software features, including strong payload cryptography features such as IP Security VPN (IPsec VPN), Secure Sockets Layer VPN (SSL VPN), and Secure Unified Communications.
• Universal images with the universalk9_npe in the image name: The strong control of encryption capabilities by Cisco Software Activation helps meet U.S. export control requirements for cryptography. However, some countries have import requirements that require that the platform does not support any strong payload cryptography. To satisfy the import requirements of those countries, Cisco allows you to order the router with an “npe” universal image that does not support any strong payload encryption. The npe image does support security features such as zone-based firewall and intrusion prevention through the SECNPE-K9 license.
Example of Universal Image Components
For a given type and version of universal Cisco IOS Software image, both the Cisco 3945E and 3925 share the same Cisco IOS Software image; the Cisco 3945 and 3925 share another Cisco IOS Software image. Similarly, the Cisco 1921 and 1941 and Cisco 1941 Wireless routers share the same universal Cisco IOS Software image. Within the Cisco 2900 Series product family, the Cisco 2901, 2911, and 2921 share the universal Cisco IOS Software images for a given type and version. The Cisco 2951 has its own unique Cisco IOS Software image different from the rest of the Cisco 2900 Series images. Table 18 lists part numbers for universal Cisco IOS Software images for the Cisco 3900, 2900, and 1900 Series ISRs.
Part Numbers for universal Cisco IOS Software Image for Cisco 3900, 2900, and 1900 Series Routers (for Releases 15.1(4) M)
| Ordering SKU | Description |
| S39EUK9-15014M | Cisco IOS universal Image for 3945E/3925E |
| S39UK9-15014M | Cisco IOS universal Image for 3945/3925 |
| S2951UK9-15014M | Cisco IOS universal Image for 2951 |
| S29UK9-15014M | Cisco IOS universal Image for 2901-2921 |
| S19UK9-15014M | Cisco IOS universal Image for 1941, 1921 |
| S39ENPEK9-15014M | Cisco IOS univ. Image (No Payload Encryption) for 3945E/3925E |
| S39NPEK9-15014M | Cisco IOS univ. Image (No Payload Encryption) for 3945/3925 |
| S2951NPEK9-15014M | Cisco IOS universal Image (No Payload Encryption) for 2951 |
| S29NPEK9-15014M | Cisco IOS univ. Image (No Payload Encryption) for 2901-2921 |
| S19NPEK9-15014M | Cisco IOS universal Image (No Payload Encryption) for 1941, 1921 |
By default, all the routers ship with an IP Base license. You can order the routers from the factory with technology licenses preinstalled using the paper license part numbers (start with the keyword “SL”). Alternately, if you plan to deploy the advanced technology features later, you can order the required licenses as spares. You can order spares for technology licenses as paper licenses or e-delivery licenses (start with keyword “L-SL”).
For a given technology, the license product part numbers are common for routers in a particular product family; for example, the IP Base license part number is common across the Cisco 2901, 2911, 2921, and 2951.
IP Base Licenses for Cisco 3900, 2900, and 1900 Series Routers-Maps to both types of universal Images
| Ordering SKU | Description |
| SL-39-IPB-K9 | IP Base License (Paper) for Cisco 3945E-3925 |
| SL-29-IPB-K9 | IP Base License (Paper) for Cisco 2951-3901 |
| SL-19-IPB-K9 | IP Base License (Paper) for Cisco 1941, 1921 |
You can use the security licenses to activate the advanced security features offered on the Cisco 3900, 2900, and 1900 Series platforms. You can order these part numbers only for the universal image that supports payload cryptography.
Security Licenses for Cisco 3900, 2900, and 1900 Series Routers-Maps to universalk9 Image
| Ordering SKU | Description |
| SL-39-SEC-K9 | Security License (Paper) for Cisco 3945E-3925 (Both system & spare) |
| SL-29-SEC-K9 | Security License (Paper) for Cisco 2951-2901 (Both system & spare) |
| SL-19-SEC-K9 | Security License (Paper) for Cisco 1941, 1921 (Both system & spare) |
| L-SL-39-SEC-K9= | Security PAK (E-Delivery) for Cisco 3945E-3925 (only as spare) |
| L-SL-29-SEC-K9= | Security PAK (E-Delivery) for Cisco 2951-2901 (only as spare) |
| L-SL-19-SEC-K9= | Security PAK (E-Delivery) for Cisco 1941,1921 (only as spare) |
For activating security features on the universal image with no payload encryption, the security license part numbers are unique.
Security Licenses (No Payload Encryption) for Cisco 3900, 2900, 1900 Series Routers-Maps to universalk9_npe Image
| Ordering SKU | Description |
| SL-39-SECNPE-K9 | Security No Payload Encryption (Paper) License for Cisco 3945E-3925 (System & spare). |
| SL-29-SECNPE-K9 | Security No Payload Encryption (Paper) License for Cisco 2951-2901 (System & spare). |
| SL-19-SECNPE-K9 | Security No Payload Encryption (Paper) License for Cisco 1941, 1921 (System & spare). |
| L-SL-39-SECNPE-K9= | Security No Payload Encryption PAK (E-Delivery) for Cisco 3945E-3925 (only as spare) |
| L-SL-29-SECNPE-K9= | Security No Payload Encryption PAK (E-Delivery) for Cisco 2951-2901 (only as spare) |
| L-SL-19-SECNPE-K9= | Security No Payload Encryption PAK (E-Delivery) for Cisco 1941, 1921 (only as spare) |
For activating unified communications features on the Cisco 2900 and 3900 Series routers, the Unified Communications license part numbers are listed in the following Table.
Unified Communications License for Cisco 3900 and 2900 Series Routers-Maps to Both Images
| Ordering SKU | Description |
| SL-39-UC-K9 | Unified Commn. License (Paper) for Cisco 3945E-3925 (Both system & spare) |
| SL-29-UC-K9 | Unified Commn. License (Paper) for Cisco 2951-2901 (Both system & spare) |
| L-SL-39-UC-K9= | Unified Commn. PAK (E-Delivery) for Cisco 3945E-3925 (only as spare) |
| L-SL-29-UC-K9= | Unified Commn. PAK (E-Delivery) for Cisco 2951-2901 (only as spare) |
You can use the Data license to activate the data features offered on the Cisco 3900, 2900, and 1900 Series routers.
Data Licenses for Cisco 3900 and 2900 Series Routers-Maps to Both universal Images
| Ordering SKU | Description |
| SL-39-DATA-K9 | Data License (Paper) for Cisco 3945E-3925 (Both system & spare) |
| SL-29-DATA-K9 | Data License (Paper) for Cisco 2951-2901 (Both system & spare) |
| SL-19-DATA-K9 | Data License (Paper) for Cisco 1941, 1921 (Both system & spare) |
| L-SL-39-DATA-K9= | Data PAK (E-Delivery) for Cisco 3945E-3925 (only as spare) |
| L-SL-29-DATA-K9= | Data PAK (E-Delivery) for Cisco 2951-2901 (only as spare) |
| L-SL-19-DATA-K9= | Data PAK (E-Delivery) for Cisco 1941, 1921 (only as spare) |
The Cisco 3900, 2900, and 1900 Series routers also offer a wide variety of feature and subscription licenses for advanced security and unified communications functions such as Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express (Unified CME), Survivable Remote Site Telephony(SRST), Cisco Unified Border Element, SSL VPN, and Cisco IOS IPS. You need these licenses in addition to the technology license for a given solution deployment. Please refer to the Licensing Deployment Guide for a complete list of feature and subscription licenses.
So if you need to know more about Cisco router licenses or order Cisco license for your Cisco routers, you can visit the page: https://www.router-switch.com/Price-cisco-licenses_c124 or https://www.router-switch.com/Price-cisco-routers_c1
More Related Cisco Router Ordering Guides and Cisco Licenses
Cisco 1900 Series Router Ordering Guide
Ordering Cisco 2900 Series Routers You Should Know
Ordering Guide for Cisco 3900 ISR G2
Cisco SEC-K9 License vs. HSEC-K9 License
