Summary

Question

Customer Environment

Resolution

SmartZone Licensing and Support Compliance

SmartZone licensing

1. Controller Right-To-Use License:

RTU is a mandatory license that enables Virtual SmartZone controller software

RTU is required after the initial trial period.

RTU is a per controller instance, not per AP.

RTU is typically perpetual, but support is time-bound.

2. AP SmartZone Capacity License:

A mandatory license per AP that enables AP’s to connect to a Virtual and Physical SZ controller.

This applies to all access points, and this is AP agnostic

Capacity license is required after the initial trial period.

Capacity license is perpetual, but support is term based.

3. SmartZone Support

Support is required for controllers (Virtual & Physical)

Support is required for Capacity Licenses (per AP)

Active support provides – Software updates & upgrades, Access to RUCKUS technical support, Security patches, Hardware warranty coverage (physical devices).

RUCKUS Support Policy:

• A SmartZone system is considered in compliance when all required licenses and support contracts are active and fully covered. This ensures your network is legally licensed, fully supported, and eligible for updates, security patches, and RUCKUS TAC assistance.
• Fully supported system requires 100% support coverage, and this has always been the policy.
• Here is an example for “In-compliance”

vSZ with 500 AP’s connected – For 100% support coverage, you will require:

1 x vSZ Right-To-Use (RTU) License + vSZ RTU Support

500 x SZ AP capacity license + SZ AP Capacity License Support

500 support contract provides 100% support coverage and In-compliance.

What is changing:

• Customers out of compliance will not be eligible for Software updates & upgrades, Access to RUCKUS technical support, Security patches, Access to support resources.

How can I (RUCKUS Partners & Customers) check if my network is In-compliance via RUCKUS Support Portal.

Login to RUCKUS Support Portal and navigate to License Manager (LiMan) section

Note:

• This is SZ AP “Allocated Licenses” not SZ AP Licenses purchased.
• Customers should only allocate the number of AP’s that they plan to actively use on their nodes.
• 100% coverage is needed on all allocated assets for a compliant system.
• Any unused AP licenses should be unallocated from the nodes and reassigned to the account pool.

How can I (RUCKUS Partners & Customers) check if my network is In-compliance via SmartZone Interface:

• SmartZone and navigate to Administration License page

• license section switch to “Summary view”

How can I get my network to be In-compliance:

• Check for unactivated Support Licenses by Login to RUCKUS Support Portal, navigate to Assets tab à Support Purchases and look for unused Support Licenses then activate them.

• Review allocated AP licenses and ensure all allocated licenses have active support, unallocate unused AP licenses if needed.
• Engage your RUCKUS Partner or Distributor.
• Contact RUCKUS Sales for guidance on compliance and required support licenses. https://www.ruckusnetworks.com/smartzone-compliance/
• Reach out to your RUCKUS representative to review your SmartZone licenses and support coverage and identify common gaps (such as unactivated support or unused capacity)
• Reach out to RUCKUS renewals for support renewal assisatnce [email protected]

FAQ:

1. Will my SmartZone stop working if I’m out of compliance?

• No. Your system will continue to run, and existing APs will stay online. However, an out-of-compliance system loses access to critical protections and support, which increases operational and security risk.

2. What do I lose if my SmartZone system is out of compliance?

• Out-of-compliance systems are not eligible for:
• Software updates or upgrades
• Security patch
• Access to RUCKUS Technical Assistance Center (TAC)
• Support resources and expertise
• This can make it harder to respond quickly if something changes, fails, or becomes vulnerable.

3. What causes common compliance gaps?

• Typical reasons include:
• Support renewals not completed
• APs allocated but not covered by support
• Unused support licenses not activated
• Changes in AP count without adjusting support

4. Is this about licensing or system failures?

• This is a licensing and support eligibility matter only. It does not indicate a fault, outage, or failure in your SmartZone system.

5. Why does RUCKUS require 100% support coverage?

• SmartZone is designed for high-availability networks. A fully supported system ensures:
• Predictable scale and resiliency
• Faster problem resolution with vendor experts
• Protection against security vulnerabilities
• Safe upgrades without guesswork
• High availability = redundancy + vendor support relationship.

6. Which SmartZone versions are impacted and require compliance?

• Upgrading from any lower version to release SmartZone 6.1.2.0.487 (R6.1.2 P3) and above
• Upgrading from any lower version to release SmartZone 7.1.x
• Upgrading from any lower version to upcoming SmartZone 7.2.x