Cisco SMARTnet Solution Support - Extended Service - Service

Experience enterprise-grade reliability with Cisco SMARTnet Solution Support — Extended Service. This comprehensive support offering combines 8 x 5 access with Next Business Day hardware replacement, a streamlined exchange process, and inclusive parts and electronic assistance to keep your network running at peak performance. Designed to protect your investment, SMARTnet Extended Service delivers predictable total cost of ownership (TCO), faster fault resolution, and proactive access to Cisco’s vast technical resources. Whether you’re supporting a small business or a large data center, this service elevates your maintenance program by aligning hardware reliability, software readiness, and expert troubleshooting into one predictable, easy-to-manage package.

• Maximized uptime and rapid issue resolution: With 8 x 5 coverage and Next Business Day exchange, Cisco SMARTnet minimizes network downtime and accelerates fault isolation. When a component fails, you gain rapid access to replacement parts and expert guidance, reducing the time to restoration and keeping critical services online. The combination of hardware exchange and electronic support ensures that even during demanding upgrade cycles or unplanned outages, your network can recover quickly and resume normal operations with minimal disruption.
• Predictable budgeting and total cost of ownership: SMARTnet Extended Service provides a single, transparent maintenance expense that covers hardware replacement, technical support, and access to Cisco’s expertise. By consolidating service levels and eliminating surprise maintenance charges, you can forecast annual maintenance costs more accurately and allocate resources with confidence. This predictable model is especially valuable for organizations managing multi-site deployments, compliance-driven environments, or long-term roadmaps that require steady, ongoing support without budget volatility.
• Comprehensive coverage and proactive technical resources: The offer includes both physical parts and electronic support to address issues across the lifecycle of Cisco devices. Customers benefit from direct access to Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC), access to software/firmware advisories, and proactive guidance on best practices. This breadth of coverage helps prevent problems before they impact operations and ensures your network remains aligned with Cisco’s evolving engineering recommendations and security updates.
• Seamless integration with your Cisco ecosystem: SMARTnet is designed to work in harmony with existing Cisco deployments, licenses, and service contracts. It complements device warranties while expanding support for a broad range of Cisco platforms, spanning routing, switching, collaboration, data center, and security portfolios. The standardized service framework simplifies vendor management and reduces administrative overhead, enabling your IT team to focus on strategic initiatives rather than ongoing break/fix administration.
• Simple procurement, activation, and administration: Enrolling devices and activating coverage is straightforward, allowing you to quickly extend protection to new equipment or retire retiring assets. The service lifecycle is designed for straightforward contract management, with clear service levels, renewal windows, and scalable options for growing networks. This ease of use translates into faster onboarding for new devices, simplified renewal planning, and consistent service experiences across your entire Cisco footprint.

Technical Details of Cisco SMARTnet Solution Support - Extended Service - Service

• Service Level: 8 x 5 x Next Business Day - Exchange - Parts - Physical, Electronic
• Coverage: Hardware replacement parts, electronic support, and access to Cisco TAC for covered devices
• Delivery and Response: Next Business Day replacement shipments, with remote troubleshooting and software/firmware guidance as part of the electronic support package
• Scope: Applies to Cisco devices and components registered under the SMARTnet Extended Service agreement
• Activation: Requires enrollment under the appropriate SMARTnet contract and device serial numbers for accurate coverage mapping

How to install Cisco SMARTnet Solution Support - Extended Service - Service

• Verify eligibility and gather details: Confirm which Cisco devices, serial numbers, and existing SMARTnet or other service contracts are in scope. Compile a current asset list and any relevant contract IDs to ensure accurate enrollment.
• Select the appropriate service tier: Choose the Extended Service level that aligns with your uptime requirements, coverage needs, and deployment scale. Ensure the selected tier matches the hardware and geographical regions of your organization.
• Enroll devices into SMARTnet: Submit device identifiers (serial numbers, model SKUs) to your Cisco account or authorized reseller to map coverage. Ensure that all critical devices are included to maximize protection for essential services.
• Submit activation and renewal details: Provide contract start dates, renewal terms, and any required billing information. Establish a clear renewal calendar to avoid gaps in coverage and to simplify ongoing administration.
• Coordinate with Cisco TAC and deployment teams: If you anticipate a major hardware refresh or a network upgrade, coordinate with Cisco TAC and your internal teams to plan maintenance windows, asset staging, and replacement timelines to minimize downtime during transitions.
• Monitor and manage coverage: Use your Cisco customer portal or your partner portal to monitor coverage status, track service requests, and review breach or escalation histories. Regular reviews help ensure that coverage remains aligned with device inventory and network priorities.

Frequently asked questions

• What is Cisco SMARTnet Solution Support - Extended Service? It is a maintenance and technical support program that provides hardware replacement (Next Business Day) and electronic support for Cisco devices, designed to deliver faster problem resolution and predictable maintenance costs.
• What does 8 x 5 x Next Business Day mean? Service is available during standard business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., local time) on business days, with next business day hardware replacement available when eligible components fail or require replacement, subject to product availability and contract terms.
• Which devices are covered under SMARTnet Extended Service? Coverage typically includes a range of Cisco hardware and related components enrolled under the SMARTnet contract. The exact list depends on your contract and device eligibility, so verify enrollment with your Cisco account or reseller.
• How does the exchange process work? When a covered component fails, Cisco arranges exchange hardware delivery to replace the faulty part, minimizing downtime. In some cases, electronic remediation or remote support may be used in combination with physical exchanges to accelerate resolution.
• How can I enroll or renew this service? Enrollment and renewals are handled through your Cisco account, authorized reseller, or partner. You will need device identifiers, contract details, and payment information to set up or renew coverage.
• Can SMARTnet be customized for multi-site deployments? Yes. The Extended Service can be scaled to cover multiple sites and device types, with centralized administration and consistent service levels to simplify governance and reporting across locations.