Troubleshooting Unified CM Smart Licensing

See also

Sources

1. 1
   Unified CM renews licence authorization automatically every 30 days, and an administrator can force it with Actions > Renew Authorization Now on the Licence Management page.

   System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Smart Software Licensing · Additional Tasks > Renew Authorization · Checked 2026-10-01
2. 2
   TAC technote 212915 lists the Unified CM licence authorization statuses as No License in use, Evaluation Mode, Evaluation Expired, Authorized, Out of compliance and Authorization Expired.

   Configure CUCM Smart Licensing - Direct Model · Smart Licensing States in UCM > Authorization Status · Checked 2026-10-01
3. 3
   Unified CM licence authorization is valid for 90 days and expires after 90 days if the system is not connected to CSSM or a satellite.

   System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Smart Software Licensing · Smart Software Licensing Overview (authorization paragraph) · Checked 2026-10-01
4. 4
   After upgrade or migration to 15SU2 or later, Unified CM moves to Smart Transport automatically if it can reach smartreceiver.cisco.com.

   Release Notes for Cisco Unified Communications Manager and the IM and Presence Service Release 15SU2 · Smart Receiver Transport · Checked 2026-10-01
5. 5
   Known bug CSCvc94366 is that Unified CM Smart Licensing registration does not accept proxy port 443.

   Configure CUCM Smart Licensing - Direct Model · Known Bugs · Checked 2026-10-01
6. 6
   Known bug CSCvh16069 is that a Smart Licensing satellite cannot borrow a licence from a higher tier to bring Unified CM into compliance.

   Configure CUCM Smart Licensing - Direct Model · Known Bugs · Checked 2026-10-01
7. 7
   From Unified CM Release 15SU2, Call Home is deprecated as a Smart Licensing transport mode and Smart Transport is introduced as the new transport mode.

   System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Smart Software Licensing · Smart Software Licensing Overview (15SU2 note) · Checked 2026-10-01
8. 8
   On Unified CM, 'license smart export request local <exportfeaturename>' requests an export-restricted licence, and the Unified CM feature name is CUCM_Export_Restricted_Authorization_Key.

   Command Line Interface Reference Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Solutions, Release 15 and SUs - License Commands · license smart export request local · Checked 2026-10-01
9. 9
   The Unified CM CLI command 'license smart factory reset' clears all licensing information except the evaluation countdown and the SLR sequence number.

   Command Line Interface Reference Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Solutions, Release 15 and SUs - License Commands · license smart factory reset · Checked 2026-10-01
10. 10
    The Unified CM CLI command 'license smart transport gateway <URL>' is not supported on systems using Smart Transport mode.

    Command Line Interface Reference Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Solutions, Release 15 and SUs - License Commands · license smart transport gateway · Checked 2026-10-01
11. 11
    Unified CM can be registered from the CLI with 'license smart register idtoken <token> [force]', and deregistered with 'license smart deregister'.

    Command Line Interface Reference Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Solutions, Release 15 and SUs - License Commands · license smart register idtoken; license smart deregister · Checked 2026-10-01
12. 12
    If Unified CM is deregistered while the cluster is in mixed-mode encryption, encryption stays on and the SmartLicenseExportControlNotAllowed alert tells the administrator to move the cluster to non-secure mode.

    System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Smart Software Licensing · Additional Tasks > Deregister (note) · Checked 2026-10-01
13. 13
    Deregistering Unified CM from CSSM immediately releases all its licence entitlements back to the virtual account for other product instances to use.

    System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Smart Software Licensing · Additional Tasks > Deregister · Checked 2026-10-01
14. 14
    For direct connection to CSSM, Unified CM needs DNS that resolves tools.cisco.com for Call Home and smartreceiver.cisco.com for Smart Transport.

    System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Smart Software Licensing · System Licensing Prerequisites > Plan Your System Licensing (Direct option) · Checked 2026-10-01
15. 15
    A Unified CM cluster in dual-stack mode supports a satellite configured with IPv4 and IPv6 addresses.

    System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Smart Software Licensing · Smart Software Licensing Task Flow > Configure Connection (note) · Checked 2026-10-01
16. 16
    Once non-compliance is enforced, Unified CM does not allow devices or users to be provisioned.

    Feature Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Licensing · License Compliance · Checked 2026-10-01
17. 17
    In the enforced state, Unified CM blocks user changes that affect licensing, such as turning IM and Presence or Mobility on or off.

    Feature Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Licensing · License Compliance · Checked 2026-10-01
18. 18
    In Unified CM licensing, the Enhanced Plus licence covers a user with two associated devices.

    Feature Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Licensing · Maximum Number of Devices Per User · Checked 2026-10-01
19. 19
    When the evaluation period ends without registration, Unified CM stops allowing new users or devices to be added until it is registered.

    System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Smart Software Licensing · Smart Software Licensing Overview > Product Instance Evaluation Mode · Checked 2026-10-01
20. 20
    A secure SIP trunk cannot be deployed while Unified CM runs in the 90-day evaluation period; the system must be registered to a Smart Account with export-controlled functionality allowed.

    System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Smart Software Licensing · Smart Software Licensing Overview > Product Instance Evaluation Mode (note) · Checked 2026-10-01
21. 21
    After installation, Unified CM runs under a 90-day evaluation period until it is registered with Cisco Smart Software Manager.

    System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Smart Software Licensing · Smart Software Licensing Overview > Product Instance Evaluation Mode · Checked 2026-10-01
22. 22
    When generating the product instance registration token in CSSM, checking 'Allow export-controlled functionality on the products registered with this token' enables higher encryption levels for products registered with that token.

    System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Smart Software Licensing · Smart Software Licensing Task Flow > Obtain the Product Instance Registration Token · Checked 2026-10-01
23. 23
    On an upgraded or migrated 15SU2+ cluster, if the connection to smartreceiver.cisco.com fails, Unified CM falls back to Call Home mode.

    Release Notes for Cisco Unified Communications Manager and the IM and Presence Service Release 15SU2 · Smart Receiver Transport · Checked 2026-10-01
24. 24
    Unified CM nodes freshly installed at 15SU2 or later support only Smart Transport for Smart Licensing.

    Release Notes for Cisco Unified Communications Manager and the IM and Presence Service Release 15SU2 · Smart Receiver Transport · Checked 2026-10-01
25. 25
    In Cisco HCS with HLM/CAA, error UCAPI1010 'Registration with Smart Agent failed' means checking the proxy connection and Unified CM connectivity to CSSM, then the CAA/HLM logs.

    Cisco Hosted Collaboration Solution Smart Licensing Guide, Release 12.5 - Troubleshooting Smart Licensing · Troubleshooting Smart Licensing > UCAPI1010 · Checked 2026-10-01
26. 26
    A fresh 15SU2+ Unified CM install in direct mode probably cannot register while smartreceiver.cisco.com is unresolvable or unreachable, because fresh installs support only Smart Transport and have no Call Home fallback.inferred

    Release Notes for Cisco Unified Communications Manager and the IM and Presence Service Release 15SU2 · Smart Receiver Transport · Checked 2026-10-01
27. 27
    A registered Unified CM that loses contact with CSSM probably keeps a valid authorization for up to 90 days after the last successful renewal, so a short outage is not immediately service-affecting.inferred

    System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Smart Software Licensing · Smart Software Licensing Overview (authorization paragraph) · Checked 2026-10-01
28. 28
    With SSM On-Prem or a satellite, the licence hierarchy substitution breakdown is displayed differently (CSCwf47221), and available quantities can be shown incorrectly (CSCwf47223).

    Feature Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Licensing · License Substitution (note) · Checked 2026-10-01
29. 29
    Unified CM enforces a non-compliant licence state only after a 90-day overage period.

    Feature Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Licensing · License Compliance · Checked 2026-10-01
30. 30
    Unified CM's HTTP/HTTPS proxy transport setting takes a proxy IP address or host name and port, with optional authentication by user name and password.

    System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Smart Software Licensing · Smart Software Licensing Task Flow > Configure Connection · Checked 2026-10-01
31. 31
    Unified CM renews its Smart Licensing registration automatically every six months, and Actions > Renew Registration Now forces a manual renewal.

    System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Smart Software Licensing · Smart Software Licensing Overview; Additional Tasks > Renew Registration · Checked 2026-10-01
32. 32
    TAC technote 212915 lists the Unified CM registration statuses as Unidentified/Unregistered, Registered, and Unregistered-registered Expired.

    Configure CUCM Smart Licensing - Direct Model · Smart Licensing States in UCM > Registration Status · Checked 2026-10-01
33. 33
    Unified CM's initial Smart Licensing registration is valid for one year.

    System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Smart Software Licensing · Smart Software Licensing Overview (registration paragraph) · Checked 2026-10-01
34. 34
    Reregistering Unified CM with a token from a different virtual account moves the product instance to that virtual account.

    System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Smart Software Licensing · Additional Tasks > Reregister · Checked 2026-10-01
35. 35
    The Release 15 RTMT guide lists the Voice and Video alerts SmartLicenseCommunicationError, SmartLicenseRenewAuthFailed, SmartLicenseRenewRegistrationFailed, SmartLicenseRegistrationExpired, SmartLicenseInOverageOutOfCompliance and SmartLicenseInEval.

    Cisco Unified Real-Time Monitoring Tool Administration Guide, Release 15 and SUs - Performance Counters and Alerts · Voice and Video Alerts · Checked 2026-10-01
36. 36
    The Release 15 RTMT guide lists the Voice and Video alerts SmartLicenseNoProvisionEvalExpired, SmartLicenseNoProvisionOutOfCompliance and SmartLicenseNoProvisionAuthorizationExpired.

    Cisco Unified Real-Time Monitoring Tool Administration Guide, Release 15 and SUs - Performance Counters and Alerts · Voice and Video Alerts · Checked 2026-10-01
37. 37
    When Unified CM uses a Smart Software Manager satellite, the transport setting takes the satellite's address and port in the form fqdn:port.

    System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Smart Software Licensing · Smart Software Licensing Task Flow > Configure Connection · Checked 2026-10-01
38. 38
    Cisco Smart Software Manager satellite supports Smart Transport from satellite version 7-201907 onwards.

    System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Smart Software Licensing · System Licensing Prerequisites (satellite option) · Checked 2026-10-01
39. 39
    For Unified CM 12.5, the SLR technote lists the smart agent log at activelog/cm/trace/slm/log4j/slm.log and Call Home logs in gch.log and tp.log.

    Enable Specific License Reservation for CUCM Version 12.5 · Troubleshoot · Checked 2026-10-01
40. 40
    The Cisco Smart License Manager network service runs only on the Unified CM publisher and cannot be started or stopped from the UI or CLI.

    Configure CUCM Smart Licensing - Direct Model · Background Information > Cisco Smart License Manager Service · Checked 2026-10-01
41. 41
    Specific License Reservation on Unified CM is configured from the CLI only; there is no GUI option.

    Enable Specific License Reservation for CUCM Version 12.5 · Background Information · Checked 2026-10-01
42. 42
    RESERVATION IN PROGRESS means a reservation request was generated but no authorization code is installed yet; Unified CM stays in Evaluation Mode meanwhile.

    System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Smart Software Licensing · License Authorization Statuses (offline deployment) · Checked 2026-10-01
43. 43
    To get the Specific License Reservation option enabled on a Smart Account for Unified CM, the customer must open a case with the Cisco Licensing team.

    Enable Specific License Reservation for CUCM Version 12.5 · Prerequisites · Checked 2026-10-01
44. 44
    With Specific License Reservation enabled, Unified CM does not automatically borrow licences from a higher tier.

    System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Smart Software Licensing · Specific License Reservation > Update License Reservation · Checked 2026-10-01
45. 45
    When Specific License Reservation is enabled on Unified CM, voucher generation for cloud onboarding is not supported.

    System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Smart Software Licensing · Specific License Reservation (note) · Checked 2026-10-01
46. 46
    Under Specific License Reservation, the status NOT AUTHORIZED - RESERVED means the reserved entitlement does not cover current licence consumption.

    System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Smart Software Licensing · License Authorization Statuses (offline deployment) · Checked 2026-10-01
47. 47
    Licences reserved for a Unified CM SLR instance stay blocked in Cisco License Central until the product releases them with a return code.

    Enable Specific License Reservation for CUCM Version 12.5 · Remove Licenses or Product Instance · Checked 2026-10-01
48. 48
    An operational Unified CM returns SLR licences with 'license smart reservation return', which produces a return code; for a non-operational product the customer must contact TAC to remove the product instance from the Smart Account.

    System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Smart Software Licensing · Specific License Reservation > Remove licenses or product instance · Checked 2026-10-01
49. 49
    A Session Management Edition cluster registered with Specific License Reservation needs a minimum set of licences reserved in CSSM when the SLR authorization code is generated.

    System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Smart Software Licensing · Smart Software Licensing Overview > Session Management Edition · Checked 2026-10-01
50. 50
    Unified CM Smart Transport supports TLS 1.3, while Call Home uses the configured minimum TLS version for compatibility.

    System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Smart Software Licensing · Minimum TLS Version Support (Smart Software Licensing chapter) · Checked 2026-10-01
51. 51
    CSSM substitutes available higher-tier Unified CM licences to cover lower-tier requirements; for example, 100 CUWL licences cover 10 CUWL plus 50 Enhanced Plus requirements and leave 40 CUWL available.

    Feature Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Licensing · License Substitution · Checked 2026-10-01
52. 52
    A TelePresence Room licence covers both the TelePresence device and a phone only when both have the same OwnerUserID; if the owners differ, two licences are needed.

    Feature Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Licensing · Licence types > TelePresence Room · Checked 2026-10-01
53. 53
    For Unified CM Smart Licensing registration problems, TAC asks for a packet capture taken from the CUCM CLI and the License Manager logs.

    Configure CUCM Smart Licensing - Direct Model · Troubleshoot · Checked 2026-10-01
54. 54
    Assigning an owner user ID to a device moves it from Unassigned Devices to Users in the Unified CM License Usage Report.

    Feature Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Licensing · License Usage Report · Checked 2026-10-01
55. 55
    The Unified CM Release 15 System Configuration Guide says licence usage information updates automatically once every 24 hours.disputed

    System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Smart Software Licensing · License Usage Report / Update Usage Details · Checked 2026-10-01
56. 56
    The Unified CM Release 15 Feature Configuration Guide says licence usage information updates once every six hours and can be updated manually with Update Usage Details.disputed

    Feature Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Licensing · License Usage Report · Checked 2026-10-01
57. 57
    In Unified CM licensing, a UWL licence covers a user with three and up to ten associated devices.

    Feature Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 15 and SUs - Licensing · Maximum Number of Devices Per User · Checked 2026-10-01
58. 58
    Unified CM 12.5(1) most likely has no Smart Transport option and uses Call Home-era transports (direct, proxy, transport gateway, satellite).inferred

    System Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 12.5(1) - Smart Software Licensing · Smart Software Licensing Overview; System Licensing Prerequisites · Checked 2026-10-01

Documents

Cite this page

WarmTransfer. (2026, October 1). Troubleshooting Unified CM Smart Licensing. WarmTransfer. https://warmtransfer.net/knowledge/cucm-smart-licensing-troubleshooting

@misc{warmtransfer-cucm-smart-licensing-troubleshooting,
  title  = {Troubleshooting Unified CM Smart Licensing},
  author = {{WarmTransfer}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://warmtransfer.net/knowledge/cucm-smart-licensing-troubleshooting},
  note   = {Verified 2026-10-01}
}