Perpetual Software Licenses are stored in Flash memory on the switch. This on-board storage ensures that perpetual licenses persist through power cycles and software updates without requiring external management or cloud connectivity.
Key storage differences:
Perpetual Licenses: Stored locally in switch Flash memory; not managed in the cloud; remain valid indefinitely
Subscription Licenses: Cloud-managed through Extreme Platform ONE or ExtremeCloud IQ; require periodic validation and active cloud connectivity for daily check-in
Serial Number Binding
Perpetual licenses are bound to the unique hardware serial number of the switch. This binding ensures that:
Each license is tied to a specific switch and cannot be used on another device
The binding stays with the switch for its entire operational lifetime
License security is maintained through serial number verification at boot time
The license key file should be retained for recovery purposes if Flash memory is corrupted
License Validation
Perpetual licenses use local validation, meaning the switch verifies the license file contents against the stored Flash memory data during boot-up. No external cloud service or internet connectivity is required for validation.
Validation process:
Switch boots and reads the license file from Flash memory
License signature and serial number binding are verified locally on the switch
If validation succeeds, licensed features are enabled
If validation fails, the switch operates with only Base License features
Note
Perpetual license validation occurs locally and does not depend on cloud connectivity, making it suitable for air-gapped or offline deployments.
Expiration Behavior
Perpetual licenses do not expire. Once installed and validated on a switch, the license remains active throughout the switch's operational lifetime.
Benefits of non-expiring licenses:
No renewal reminders or renewal windows to manage
Predictable long-term software costs
No risk of accidental license expiry or service disruption
Simplifies compliance and audit tracking for permanent deployments
License Persistence
Perpetual licenses persist across:
Power cycles—Licenses remain in Flash memory through power on/off events
Software upgrades—Licenses are retained when upgrading to new Switch Engine versions
System resets—Licenses survive configuration resets and factory resets (unless Flash memory is explicitly cleared)
Hardware replacement—If a switch is replaced, the old switch's license cannot be transferred to the new switch due to serial number binding
License Recovery and Backup
If a license file becomes corrupted in Flash memory, the license key file can be used to recover it. It is recommended to retain the original license key file in a secure location.
Recovery involves:
Obtaining the original license key file from purchase records or Extreme Networks
Reinstalling the license using the standard license installation procedure
Verifying that the license is recognized by using the show licenses command
