To decipher the serial number, here’s how it is composed.
Cisco S/N format is LLLYYWWXXXX.
LLL = Location code (i.e. FOC = FoxConn China)
YY = Year code (08 = 2004…09=2005…etc…)
WW = Week code (weeks 01 to 52)
XXXX = Base-34 Alpha Numeric Unique identifier (Includes 0 to 9 & entire alphabet except I & O).
Location codes:
CTH — Celestica – Thailand
FOC — Foxconn – Shenzhen, China
JAB — Jabil – Florida
JPE — Jabil – Malaysia
JSH — Jabil – Shanghai , China
TAU — Solectron – Texas
PEN — Solectron – Malaysia
Year codes:
01 = 1997
02 = 1998
03 = 1999
04 = 2000
05 = 2001
06 = 2002
07 = 2003
08 = 2004
09 = 2005
10 = 2006
11 = 2007
12 = 2008
13 = 2009
14 = 2010
15 = 2011
16 = 2012
17 = 2013
18 = 2014
19 = 2015
20 = 2016
21= 2017
22 = 2018
Step 1: Get a Cisco serial number.
We’ll use FOC0849N1BD.
The serial number can be obtained by looking at the rear of the device and it will be a white sticker with black printed letter, alternatively enter the command “show version” onto the command line and look for the serial number in the output.
Step 2: Decipher!
FOC0849N1BD
Built in Foxconn, China in 2004 in week 49 of production and it’s unique code is N1BD.
Knowing the actual age, not the purchase age, of you Cisco equipment can aid in forward planning for techical refreshing of you equipment.
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