Switch licenses are based on the model because of the many different models and features. An active switch license is what gives you your support and warranty therefore it would be unfair for someone with a MS425-32 to pay the same license cost as someone with a MS120-8 and vice versa.    As mentioned if you have a current license and the switch is faulty RMA it, if it's an old switch that you are wanting to replace with a different model then you will need to purchase a new license as mentioned already. ... View more