nltech
join:2007-06-13
West Haverstraw, NY Reviews:
 ·Vonage
1 edit | Recommendation needed for pain free ordering of Smartnet I am happy with the ASA 5505 but I am beginning to regret not sticking with building Linux routers. Cisco should allow free updates or at least make it easy to buy Smartnet. For this kind of device it should be a simple shopping cart purchase. I should not have to go through intense negotiations for software updates, make phone calls/leave messages in this internet age or deal with sales reps trying to sell me an expensive contract.
I also could not find the part numbers on the Cisco site and retailer sites descriptions are usually vague. If I have to call a sales rep. Cisco should at least provide part numbers so we can order the correct contract or at least make it easy to find them. Spent an hour on their site and could not find them.
The last time I attempted this with a few partners I hit a dead end and just today tried a recommendation but was told smartnet was out of stock. Not sure how that is even possible since it is a fucking service contract. As usual the vendor reps. either have no idea what Smartnet is or think I am IBM and want to sell me an expensive contract.
/rant off
So bottom line could someone recommend a vendor that provides the lowest cost pain free online ordering for Smartnet for the ASA 5505. If possible a vendor that provides the contract details in email after purchase so I do not have to wait for shipping.
btw - all this just because I need the updated Cisco Anytime Connect VPN for Windows 7. This would be for an ASA5505-50-BUN-K9. thx |
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| Sorry this is not more straight forward. I always recommend CDW for this:
»www.cdw.com/shop/products/defaul···ractID=0
Support sku for basic 5505 is CON-SNT-AS5BUNK9 but depends on which model you have (how many users it's license for etc). Best bet is to go to CDW.com, search for your model number, then add the SmartNet option for that model to the shopping cart. Will be around $75 bucks / year, which will get you ASA code updates including ASDM, AnyConnect + plugins, and Cisco Secure Desktop (the IPSec VPN client does not require support to download, FYI). Of course, you'll also get TAC support.
A quick search finds CON-SNT-AS5BUNK9 for as cheap as $60.
I hope this helps. Once you buy the SmartNet, you'll register it at Cisco.com for your serial number, which will update Cisco's back-end database.
See here:
»www.cisco.com/web/help/reg/faq_reg.html#SN1
If you buy the SmartNet and still get stuck registering it, IM me. |
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| reply to nltech
I found a slightly better way.
Go here and type in the model number of what you have:
»www.cisco-servicefinder.com/
that will give you the SmartNet options and explain the differences, then you can search for the SKU in question to get the best price.
hope this helps. |
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nltech
join:2007-06-13
West Haverstraw, NY Reviews:
·Vonage
3 edits | reply to nltech
All still too expensive just for a VPN update but was thinking of ordering the $60 one from CDW. That is until I saw jfanelli0's last post, that was a big help.
I put in the part number ASA5505-50-BUN-K9 and it turns out the cheaper ones you do not get software updates (only OS updates)
CON-SMBS-AS5B50K9 $60.00 OS Updates/Upgrades
CON-SNT-AS5B50K9 $105.00 OS Updates/Upgrades
CON-SNTE-AS5B50K9 $134.00
8x5x4 w/advance hardware replacement, OS/upgrades, software updates/upgrades
So it looks like I need to spend $134 just to get the latest VPN update that supports Windows 7. I think I may switch to a Linux router and use the ASA as a backup. |
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| reply to nltech
www.cisco-servicefinder.com/ Thanks for the link jfanelli0, darn good reference to have and know what you're getting.
Regards |
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| reply to nltech
I believe you get ASA/ASDM/AnyConnect+Plugins updates with any of these SKUS. I am going to check for you and report back. Hang tight. |
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| yeah, you get CCO download access with any SmartNet contract, so your good with the $60 option. |
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nltech
join:2007-06-13
West Haverstraw, NY
1 edit | dupe deleted |
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nltech
join:2007-06-13
West Haverstraw, NY Reviews:
·Vonage
1 edit | reply to jfanelli0
said by jfanelli0:yeah, you get CCO download access with any SmartNet contract, so your good with the $60 option. Thanks for looking into this.
Hmm, odd that the link you provided only shows the check marks for software for only the $100+ versions of Smartnet. So I was thinking you get access with the $60 and it will show all the firmwares without the lock icon. But it will show the lock next to software items.
So before I try it, how sure are you that software items and not just firmware will show unlocked? |
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| very sure. |
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| reply to nltech
Sure. If you run into a problem, contact me. |
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