CUCM hardware recommendations

[network_user]

Hello,

I plan on buying a server for CUCM installation and I have gone through the supported servers for CUCM. I have never worked with Cisco UCS 210 M2 servers, which are one of the recommended (Tested reference configuration) servers. Does anyone have any idea what is better? Is it better to buy a DELL/HP server and install CUCM on it or buy a UCS server and install CUCM on it? I am also planning on installing VMWARE on the server before installing CUCM.

Also, does Cisco has a bundle which has CUCM installed on UCS server, which I can buy directly instead of buying the hardware and software separately?

Thank you.

[Jaime Valencia · Accepted solution]

TRCs and HW spec based support is all here:

Unified Communications in a  Virtualized Environment

http://docwiki.cisco.com/wiki/Unified_Communications_Virtualization

Be aware that we assume that if you're going the HW spec based support path, you have plenty of experience on sizing and working with virtualization to choose the HW that will fit your needs.

DELL is NOT supported, review the link.

Otherwise, I'd recommend you a TRC

Either way, you ALWAYS need to install ESXi on the HW before installing CUCM or anything else for Cisco UC.

You cannot buy a UCS and install CUCM on it, you need a hypervisor.

If you're a partner get in touch with pre-sales to get information on bundles, otherwise I'd recommend you getting in touch with a Cisco partner who does have experience with UC on UCS for assistance.

HTH

java

if this helps, please rate

www.cisco.com/go/pdihelpdesk

[Mathew Varghese]

Hello,

Do we have any good news regarding DELL servers based on new hardware support model,  HCL(VMware Hardware Compatibility List)

http://docwiki.cisco.com/wiki/UC_Virtualization_Supported_Hardware#.22Can_I_use_this_server.3F.22

Regards,

Mathew Varghese

[Jaime Valencia]

What's your actual question??

[Mathew Varghese]

Hello Jaime, to make things more clear

Our customer wishes to migrate their UC servers(CUCM and CUXN) to DELL PowerEdge servers, are these servers supported based on "SPEC based model", any practical use case available, if yes any performance issues were faced.

Mathew

[Jaime Valencia]

Yes, right now we pretty much support any vendor as long as you meet the spec based guidelines from the link. Notice that if you choose that route, we assume you have enough virtualization experience to choose, and properly size, the servers for the UC apps requirements as Cisco does not perform validation of them, we only provide the guidelines.

[testeven · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Personally I will recommend to use UCS servers. If you plan to use more applications other

than CUCM, you can install different virtual machines coresident on the same server.

For example you can have a CUCM, Unity Connection and Presence server running on the same UCS.

Besides keep in mind that companies are moving to virtualized environments and cloud

architectures.

You can refer to this link for more information:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/voicesw/ps6790/ps5748/ps378/solution_overview_c22-597556.html

I also found this link which has a good ppt from Cisco Live and gives more detail about HW, overview of VMware and some SKUs and pricing: 

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/100494737/Cisco-UC-on-VMware

However for updated pricing and ordering you can contact the presales team at:

www.cisco.com/go/partnerhelp

Regards,

Tere.

[network_user]

Thanks for the guidance and recommendations Java and Tere. The ppt document is also a great help. Thanks!