topic Missing Cluster Base License (but I have protocol license keys) in ONTAP Discussions

Missing Cluster Base License (but I have protocol license keys)

alessice — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 11:12:51 GMT

Hi,

I'm restoring an old, owned by me, FAS2554 with ONTAP 9.1, and after wipeconfig the 2 FAS controllers are in a cluster after the wizard from OnCommand System Manager.

I have all license key for protocols but I can't find the Cluster Base License key, so when I try to add NFS_2 or CIFS_2 key I have this error:

Data ONTAP API Failed: No Base License installed in the cluster. Install a Base License, then try the operation again. (Error: 13001)

I have no more the sales order or the access to Support portal, but can NetApp provide me the CL_BASE again?

Alternatively, I read that staring from ONTAP 9.2 the Cluster Base License is not more required, if I upgrade to 9.3 can I install protocol license also without the CL_BASE key?

Thanks

Re: Missing Cluster Base License (but I have protocol license keys)

SpindleNinja — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 14:19:26 GMT

If you look up the keys by the Sales Order number of the HA pair, you can get the cluster key.

But yes, should be good to do that as well. More info here:

https://kb.netapp.com/app/answers/answer_view/a_id/1000928/~/faq%3A-licensing-updates-in-data-ontap-9.2-

Re: Missing Cluster Base License (but I have protocol license keys)

alessice — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 16:33:37 GMT

Thanks,

I found the base license key, otherwise I would have updated to 9.3.