Cisco Smart Net Total Care Combined Support - Extended Service

Experience enterprise-grade reliability with Cisco Smart Net Total Care Combined Support - Extended Service. This comprehensive service contract is designed to protect your critical network infrastructure with proactive coverage, timely hardware replacement, and streamlined lifecycle management. Built for organizations that demand maximum uptime, the Extended Service combines robust hardware support with access to Cisco’s technical resources, so you can focus on business outcomes rather than vendor logistics. With 8x5 coverage, Next Business Day response, and flexible service delivery through Service Depot and Exchange options, you gain peace of mind that your Cisco technology remains current, secure, and available when it matters most. Whether you’re managing a campus network, a data center, or a distributed set of branches, this plan scales with your environment and budget, delivering predictable costs and rapid problem resolution.

• Comprehensive protection for critical Cisco deployments. This Combined Support and Extended Service covers the hardware and associated services you rely on daily, helping reduce downtime and minimize operational risk. By uniting hardware replacement with access to Cisco’s technical resources, you gain a single, cohesive support experience that simplifies vendor management and accelerates issue resolution.
• 8x5 support with Next Business Day hardware replacement. Your team benefits from business-hour expert assistance and a rapid replacement option that keeps your network hardware online with minimal interruption. This combination is ideal for mid-sized to large environments that need steady performance during regular business hours and fast recovery when issues arise.
• Service Depot and Exchange options for rapid remediation. When a fault occurs, the Service Depot model ensures that replacement hardware or parts are shipped quickly to minimize downtime. The Exchange option provides a streamlined path to swap defective components, reducing mean time to repair and keeping your network architecture aligned with uptime objectives.
• Access to Cisco’s support ecosystem and knowledge resources. Beyond hardware replacement, this plan unlocks access to Cisco’s technical resources, documentation, and support portals. You’ll have a direct channel to experienced engineers, troubleshooting guidance, and ongoing guidance on configurations, best practices, and firmware updates where applicable, helping you optimize performance and security.
• Predictable budgeting and scalable coverage for growing networks. As your network expands, this Extended Service adapts with you. The plan supports multiple devices across locations, enabling consistent service levels without negotiating separate contracts for each asset. It’s an economical way to protect your Cisco investments while maintaining high availability across the enterprise.

Technical Details of Cisco Smart Net Total Care Combined Support - Extended Service

• Service Level: 8x5 support with Next Business Day hardware replacement as part of the Extended Service under the Smart Net Total Care umbrella.
• Delivery Model: Service Depot with Exchange options to expedite replacement of failed hardware components.
• Coverage Scope: Combined hardware and related services for eligible Cisco devices and components as defined by the contract; access to Cisco technical resources and support ecosystem.
• Activation/Enrollment: Enroll compatible Cisco devices and associate them with the Smart Net Total Care Combined Support plan through your Cisco account or authorized reseller channel.
• Notes: Exact coverage, eligibility, and service deliverables may vary by device, region, and contract terms. Confirm the specific terms of your agreement with your Cisco representative or reseller.

How to Install Cisco Smart Net Total Care Combined Support - Extended Service

Because this is a service contract rather than a physical product, “installation” refers to activating and enrolling your Cisco devices into the Smart Net Total Care plan so that coverage is applied and can be triggered when needed. The setup process is designed to be straightforward and management-friendly for IT teams and procurement professionals alike. Follow these general steps to begin benefiting from the Extended Service:

1) Verify eligibility and gather identifiers: Ensure your Cisco devices are compatible with Smart Net Total Care Combined Support. Collect device serial numbers, model numbers, and current entitlement information to facilitate enrollment.

2) Access the Cisco support portal: Log in to your Cisco account (or create one if you don’t have an account) and navigate to the Smart Net Total Care enrollment area. If you’re working through a reseller, your partner can assist with enrollment and contract activation.

3) Link devices to the service: Add eligible hardware to the plan by entering device details or uploading a device list. This action binds the devices to the Extended Service contract and enables coverage for serial-numbered assets across your environment.

4) Review and confirm service levels: Confirm the 8x5 support window, Next Business Day replacement, Service Depot, and Exchange options as defined in your contract. Ensure you understand escalation paths, contact methods, and any location-specific considerations.

5) Access support resources: Once enrolled, you can access Cisco’s technical resources, knowledge articles, and TAC guidance as part of the plan. Establish preferred contact channels and set up notifications for contract reminders, renewal dates, and software update notices if applicable.

6) Monitor and renew: Track your entitlements, ensure devices stay within coverage, and renew or adjust the contract as your network evolves. This helps maintain continuous protection and avoids gaps in coverage during growth or changes in infrastructure.

7) Coordinate with your MSP or IT team: If you work with a managed service provider or internal IT staff, coordinate the enrollment and service management activities so there is a single point of contact for incident reporting, replacement requests, and status updates.

In short, activation is a matter of enrolling your Cisco devices, binding them to the plan, and leveraging Cisco’s support network to resolve issues efficiently. The Extended Service adds the peace of mind that comes with predictable coverage, rapid replacements, and access to trusted technical expertise when you need it most.

Frequently asked questions

• What is Cisco Smart Net Total Care Combined Support - Extended Service? It is a comprehensive service contract that combines hardware protection, service delivery options, and access to Cisco technical resources. It provides 8x5 support, Next Business Day hardware replacement, and utilization of Service Depot and Exchange arrangements to minimize downtime.
• What does 8x5 support mean for my organization? 8x5 support means assistance is available during standard business hours on business days. For critical issues outside these hours, you should consult your contract terms or explore additional support options if needed.
• How does Next Business Day replacement work? When a covered component fails, Cisco or the service provider ships replacement hardware to your site or designated location, typically arriving the next business day. The goal is to shorten downtime and restore functionality quickly.
• Do I need to install anything to activate this service? No hardware installation is required for activation. Enrollment involves binding eligible devices to the Smart Net Total Care Combined Support plan through the Cisco account or your reseller, after which coverage applies to those devices.
• Can I expand coverage if my network grows? Yes. The Extended Service is designed to scale with your network. You can add more devices or adjust terms to accommodate growth, subject to contract eligibility and pricing terms.