Software license EXTREME for VSP 4000 series — PLDS PRIMIER and MACsec (MPN 338835)

Software license EXTREME for VSP 4000 series — PLDS PRIMIER and MACsec activates advanced link-level security and PLDS PRIMIER capabilities on compatible VSP 4000 switches. This license enables MACsec encryption on supported interfaces and adds the PLDS PRIMIER protocol features required for consistent deployment behaviour and interoperability across the VSP 4000 family. The license is intended for network administrators who require encrypted traffic between switch ports and standardized protocol support to maintain uniform security policies.

Advantages

This software license provides MACsec support to secure Ethernet links at layer 2, reducing exposure to eavesdropping and unauthorized packet injection. It also enables PLDS PRIMIER functionality to align protocol behaviour and feature parity across multiple VSP 4000 devices, simplifying configuration and troubleshooting. The combination of encrypted link-level security and protocol feature activation helps maintain consistent, manageable, and auditable network security controls.

Suitable for

• Data center top-of-rack and aggregation switch deployments using VSP 4000 series hardware
• Campus and enterprise networks requiring link-layer encryption between switches and critical devices
• Environments where consistent protocol behaviour and feature parity across multiple switches is required
• Network administrators implementing MACsec for compliance or internal security policies

Key specifications

• Enables MACsec encrypted channels on supported VSP 4000 interfaces
• Activates PLDS PRIMIER protocol features for protocol parity across devices
• Software-based license applied to VSP 4000 series switches
• Operates at link layer (Layer 2) to provide hop-by-hop encryption
• Compatible with firmware releases that support the VSP 4000 feature set and MACsec

How to use

Install the license through the switch’s software license management utility or platform-specific licensing portal according to the vendor procedure. After activation, enable MACsec on the desired interfaces and configure key exchange and security policy settings per site requirements. Activate PLDS PRIMIER features via the device configuration interface so that protocol behaviour and capabilities are consistent with other licensed VSP 4000 switches in the network. Follow vendor documentation for required firmware versions and any additional configuration commands.

Usage recommendations

Confirm device firmware compatibility before applying the license, plan MACsec key management (e.g., MKA or centralized key server) to avoid operational disruptions, and test configuration changes in a lab or maintenance window to validate interoperability and performance impact.