Third-Party Servers for CUCM 11.5

[MC33]

Hello Cisco Community,

I am hoping to find out if I can use my existing HPE Proliant DL Gen10 servers to host the CUCM 11.5 VM.

The Cisco online documentation states that if the server is on the VMware Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) and the server meets the minimum CPU requirements, then I should be good to go. Before I purchase the CUCM 11.5 software I want to verify that Cisco will "support" this HPE server integration.

https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/td/docs/voice_ip_comm/uc_system/virtualization/virtualization-cisco-unified-communications-manager.html

https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/td/docs/voice_ip_comm/uc_system/virtualization/collaboration-virtualization-hardware.html#servercompatibility

Can someone verify HPE servers that meet the requirements at the above links are supported by Cisco? 

[Roger Kallberg]

You should have the information needed to verify this already. As you stated if it’s on VMware HCL list and meet other stipulated criteria’s, like CPU speed the hardware is supported.

[MC33]

Thanks Roger.

I ask because one of my colleagues was told that "allowed" by Cisco is different than "supported".

He was told there are only (3) third-party server vendors that are "supported" by Cisco for CUCM as a VM. I believe the info he was provided is incorrect, but we wanted to verify before we move forward with the buy.  I'd rather not go with an Asterisk-type approach on our HPE servers if Cisco doesnt support the hardware we already have in house.

[Jaime Valencia]

Cisco doesn't test 3rd party HW, the assumption is that anyone going the 3rd party server route will be very savvy in virtualization and has plenty of experience with sizing/sever specs, in order to determine if their particular server is supported or not, based on the info outlined in the 2nd link you posted.

A few years ago when virtualization for UC was introduced, only a couple of 3rd party vendors were allowed to be used (and thus, supported), but it has been a long time since that was opened to any vendor. Whoever told you that, has very outdated knowledge.

Supported CPUs, memory requirements, IOPS requirements, networking, etc. are in the doc you posted, and they have to be met if you want Cisco to consider your deployment as supported with a 3rd party server.

[MC33]

Thanks Jaime!

That is what I thought and as a Cisco employee/expert that is valuable intel. 

Yes, our hardware meets the reqs at those links provided. Your info is much appreciated and now I feel confident that the info I was provided is old.

Thanks!!!

[TONY SMITH]

Remember to check VMware supported versions as well.  And Vcenter is mandatory is using third party servers, or indeed "specs based" on Cisco hardware.