Cisco Catalyst Switch 3560X License

Cisco Catalyst 3560-X Switch Licenses — LAN Base / IP Base / IP Services

Buy genuine Cisco Catalyst 3560-X switch license upgrades with instant e-delivery. The Cisco WS-C3560X-24 and WS-C3560X-48 are enterprise-class access switches with a three-tier right-to-use (RTU) licensing model: LAN Base → IP Base → IP Services. Each upgrade license moves your switch from one tier to a higher tier — no hardware swap, no Smart Account, and no annual renewal. All upgrade paths are available for both 24-port and 48-port models. For other Cisco platforms, see our 1900/2900/3900 router licenses.

LAN Base

Entry-level L2 switching, basic QoS, ACLs, 802.1X — no IP routing

IP Base

Static routing, RIP, EIGRP stub, basic IPv6, HSRP/VRRP — mid-tier

IP Services

Full OSPF, BGP, EIGRP, PIM, MPLS, full IPv6 — enterprise feature set

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The Cisco Catalyst 3560-X Series is a line of fixed-configuration, enterprise-class access switches available in 24-port and 48-port Gigabit Ethernet variants with optional 10GE uplink modules. The 3560-X supports three IOS feature set tiers activated through right-to-use (RTU) upgrade licenses — no hardware replacement needed. The switch hardware is identical across tiers; only the license file determines which features are active.

The licensing follows a step-up upgrade model. Each switch ships with a base license (typically LAN Base or IP Base depending on SKU), and you purchase an upgrade license to move to a higher tier. Upgrades are one-way, one-time — no recurring fees, no Smart Account registration.

Feature Tier Comparison

  • LAN Base (L) — Layer 2 switching, VLANs, STP/RSTP/MSTP, basic QoS, port security, 802.1X, DHCP snooping, IGMP snooping. Entry-level enterprise access.
  • IP Base (S) — All LAN Base features + static routing, RIP, EIGRP stub, HSRP/VRRP, basic IPv6, policy-based routing, Flexible NetFlow. Mid-tier campus access with limited routing.
  • IP Services (E) — All IP Base features + OSPF, BGP, EIGRP (full), PIM (sparse/dense/SM), MPLS LDP, full IPv6 routing (OSPFv3, BGP+), VRF-Lite, advanced QoS (HQoS). Full enterprise feature set — recommended for distribution/core roles.
Find your upgrade license: select port count + your current tier & target tier:
Port count
Upgrade path

Available Upgrade Paths 6 Licenses

Ports Part number From → To Key features gained
24 L-C3560X-24-L-S L → S Static routing · RIP · EIGRP stub · HSRP/VRRP · basic IPv6
24 L-C3560X-24-S-E S → E OSPF · BGP · EIGRP (full) · PIM · MPLS · full IPv6 · VRF-Lite
24 L-C3560X-24-L-E L → E Everything: static routing through full MPLS + BGP — all-in-one upgrade
48 L-C3560X-48-L-S L → S Static routing · RIP · EIGRP stub · HSRP/VRRP · basic IPv6
48 L-C3560X-48-S-E S → E OSPF · BGP · EIGRP (full) · PIM · MPLS · full IPv6 · VRF-Lite
48 L-C3560X-48-L-E L → E Everything: static routing through full MPLS + BGP — all-in-one upgrade

Frequently Asked Questions — 3560-X Licensing

What is the Cisco 3560-X license upgrade model?

The Cisco Catalyst 3560-X uses a three-tier right-to-use (RTU) upgrade model: LAN Base (L) → IP Base (S) → IP Services (E). The switch hardware is identical regardless of license tier — only the installed license file determines which IOS features are active. Upgrade licenses are purchased as step-up SKUs that move your switch from one tier to a higher tier:

  • L-S — LAN Base to IP Base
  • S-E — IP Base to IP Services
  • L-E — LAN Base to IP Services (skip the middle tier, one-step full upgrade)

All licenses are perpetual, one-time purchases. No Smart Account or CSSM registration is required.

What's the actual feature difference between LAN Base, IP Base, and IP Services?

The tiers build on each other:

  • LAN Base — Pure Layer 2: VLANs, STP, basic QoS/ACLs, 802.1X, port security, DHCP snooping, IGMP snooping. No IP routing at all.
  • IP Base (+L) — Adds static routing, RIP, EIGRP stub, HSRP/VRRP, policy-based routing, Flexible NetFlow, basic IPv6. Good for access switches that need limited Layer 3.
  • IP Services (+S) — Adds OSPF, BGP, EIGRP (full), PIM (sparse/dense/SM), MPLS LDP, VRF-Lite, full IPv6 routing (OSPFv3, BGP+), advanced QoS (HQoS). Full enterprise feature set for distribution or collapsed-core deployments.

If you need dynamic routing (OSPF/BGP), MPLS, or advanced multicast — you need IP Services.

Can I upgrade directly from LAN Base to IP Services?

Yes! The L-C3560X-[24/48]-L-E license allows a single-step upgrade from LAN Base directly to IP Services — you don't need to buy the L-S and S-E licenses separately. This is the most cost-effective path if you know you need the full enterprise feature set. A single LAN Base → IP Services upgrade ($20) gives you everything instead of buying two separate upgrades.

Do 24-port and 48-port 3560-X switches use different licenses?

Yes. The license SKU is tied to the switch port count. A L-C3560X-24-L-S license will only work on a 24-port WS-C3560X-24 — it cannot be applied to a 48-port WS-C3560X-48. When ordering, always specify the correct port count matching your switch model. Both variants cost the same ($20), and the upgrade paths are identical across port counts — only the SKU differs.

How quickly will I receive my 3560-X license after purchase?

Most 3560-X upgrade licenses are delivered within 2–12 hours of order confirmation and UDI submission. Provide the output of show license udi from your switch. The license file (.lic) is sent by email — install via CLI with license install flash:L-C3560X-XX-X-X.lic and reload the switch to activate the new feature tier. If you need expedited delivery, contact us before ordering.

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Disclaimer: This is an independent reseller. We are not affiliated with Cisco Systems. All licenses are genuine Cisco licenses issued through authorized channels. Cisco, Catalyst, IOS, WS-C3560X, and related marks are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. The 3560-X is end-of-sale (EOS) hardware — these licenses are for existing deployments and replacement scenarios.