Product Type | ACI Essential Software License |
Form Factor | Digital license |
Designed For | Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Leaf Switches |
License Tier | Essential |
Intended Use Case | 1G Environments, Edge or Distributed Deployments |
License Type | Perpetual |
License Quantity | 1 switch |
Delivery Method | Electronic |
Platform Supported | Cisco ACI Fabric with Cisco Nexus 9000 Leaf Switch |
Version | ACI Essential |
ACI Essential SW license for a 1G Nexus 9K Leaf



Key Benefits

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- Delivers critical ACI functionality for Cisco 1G Nexus 9K Leaf switches at entry-level investment
- TAA compliance ensures eligibility for government and regulated industry procurement
- Supports Cisco’s intent-based networking approach, driving better scalability and policy management
Product Overview
The Cisco ACI Essential Software License for a 1G Nexus 9K Leaf (Part Number: ACI-ES-GF=) is a foundational entitlement enabling core ACI capabilities on Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Leaf switches. This license supports centralized policy automation, fabric simplification, and security enforcement across the data center. TAA compliant and manufactured in the United States, it is suitable for public sector and regulated deployments. Designed for 1G environments, this license is ideal for distributed architectures or edge deployments seeking ACI capabilities without high-speed uplink requirements. Unlock the benefits of application-centric design and intent-driven networking with this essential software layer.
Specifications
Product Overview
Cloud Management & Licensing
Fabric Management | Centralized via Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) |
Policy Model | Intent-based policy automation |
Cloud Integration | Supports Cisco ACI Multi-Site and Remote Leaf deployments |
Licensing Model | Node-based ACI licensing |
License Enforcement | Smart Licensing |
Management Interface | Cisco APIC GUI, REST API, CLI |
Software Compatibility | Cisco ACI software images |
Physical & Environmental
Appliance Requirements | Requires Nexus 9000 Series hardware |
Licensing Activation | Requires Smart Account and Registration |
Hardware Dependency | Specific to 1G-capable leaf switches |
Interfaces
Supported Network Interface Speeds | Up to 1 Gbps |
Supported Switch Models | Cisco Nexus 9000 Leaf Switches |
Advanced Security Features
Micro-Segmentation | Supported |
Policy Enforcement | Integrated with ACI policy model |
Traffic Encryption | Policy-based enforcement via fabric |
Security Zones | Supported via endpoint groups |
Threat Containment | Supports dynamic policy adjustments |
Compliance & Origin
TAA Compliance | Yes |
Country of Origin | United States |
Compliance Standards | TAA, RoHS |
Regulatory Certification | Yes |
Product Code | ACI-ES-GF= |
Category | Network Software License |