We do hear this request come up a lot from Active Advisor users, and our product managers are evaluating this for Active Advisor. There are services available from Cisco today that provide "always on" on-premise collection of network inventory. Active Advisor shares some features with other Cisco Support Services (namely Smart Net Total Care, or Smart Care) such as providing lifecycle information, however there are some key differences between these offerings:
With the above said -- larger networks that need real-time, current information and need product support and coverage should opt to use Smart Net Total Care. Smaller customers, or those with a tighter IT budget can use Cisco Active Advisor, while noticing its limitations on a single scan size, product support and TAC access.
The attached file shows a side-by-side comparison of the offerings. Also, here is a link to Cisco's Product Support Services: Cisco Product Support Services
Kyle Stewart
It would be nice to have an on-premise service that could occasionally scan the hosts to keep advisories and EOL announcements current. If I add a new line card, module, etc. I have to come into Active Advisor and run a new scan.
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