Software licensing has typically been used to solve issues faced by vendors of computing and network equipment, specifically in controlling and handling the usage of hardware and software in customer environments. However, it becomes difficult to monitor and control the usage of hardware and software as customers exceed the maximum number of allowed users, continue usage after their license has expired, or if customers have compromised the product for legitimate users.

Cisco is looking to solve this with their latest issued. By leveraging blockchain technology, a single or multiple user/device validation approach is handled by uploading user and device information into a blockchain ledger. A specified software license would be verified whenever the device or software boots up or even at periodic intervals, requiring no user interaction.

Cisco has invested heavily in blockchain technologies over the past two years, focusing on researching and developing an Enterprise Blockchain technology. Cisco's Enterprise Blockchain technology is an open source project, available to all customers, partners, and developers.