Cisco Catalyst Center uses a tiered licensing model — Essentials and Advantage — applied to both switching and wireless infrastructure. To enable a fully fabric-enabled (SD-Access) deployment with centralized management, the Cisco Catalyst Advantage license is required across all device types. The Advantage tier unlocks Software-Defined Access fabric capabilities including macro and micro-segmentation, integration with Cisco ISE for policy enforcement, AI/ML-driven analytics via DNA Spaces and Assurance, and automated provisioning. The Essentials license provides only basic device management, inventory, and software image management — it does not unlock SD-Access fabric functionality. Since the branch design specifically extends an existing fabric-enabled network, the Essentials tier for either the switch or APs would create a licensing gap preventing full fabric participation. Options B, C, and D all create asymmetric licensing that would partially disable fabric capabilities. The correct design mandates Catalyst Advantage for the Catalyst 9300 switch and all 25 APs. Reference: WLSD Study Guide — Cisco Catalyst Center Licensing, SD-Access Design, Fabric-Enabled Wireless Architecture.