UCS with C-Series Servers

[roytgeorge]

What do we need to create a standalone UCS with 3 x C210 servers

[Robert Burns]

Roy if you are referring to a standalone UCS in terms of a single UCS interconnect (6100) that will manage a bunch of C Series Rack servers, you would need the next version of software (1.4) which is not currently avaiable.  Tentatively this will be released early in 2011.

Regards,

Robert

[roytgeorge]

Thanks Robert. Sorry but more questions .....

Early 2011 as in Jan or later ?

In addition to UCS1.4, I would still need the Fabric Extender right ?

So C210(with CNA)  -> Fabric Extn -> Fabric Interconnect

[Robert Burns · Accepted solution]

"Tentatively" mid Jan.

You are correct with the requirement of a 2248 FEX.   The LOM (Lan on Motherboard) connections for management would connect to a 2248 (which connects to your 6100) and the CNA dataplane ports on your C Series would connect direclty to the 6100.  

Regards,

Robert

[randyrubins]

Robert, what are the options to connect the 2248s to 6100s (per your drawing)?  SFP+ copper (Twinax cables) or FET-10G over MMF?  Why choose one over the other?  Thanks!

[Robert Burns]

Connection options will be anything compatible with the Nexus 5000 series of switches and FEXs.  This can be Optics or Copper (Twinax).

In choosing one over the other I would base it mainly on distance requirements.

If you can connect the 6100's and FEXs within 10m then go with twinax cable.

- Twinax is about 1/10th the cost of optical transceivers and OM3 fibre cable.

- Twinax uses less power (0.1W for twinax vs. 1W per fibre)

- Twinax has lower latency than fibre.

If you need a length longer than 10m then optics would be your only choice.

Full details on transceiver compatibility here:

http://cisco.biz/en/US/prod/collateral/switches/ps9441/ps10110/data_sheet_c78-568589_ps9670_Products_Data_Sheet.html

Regards,

Robert

[randyrubins]

Robert,

Looking for your input here on the rack-mount UCS integration.

https://supportforums.cisco.com/thread/345752?tstart=0

Thanks!

Randy