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Ucsm integration with C series - ability to use external NIC for direct connect

CliftonPracht
Level 1
Level 1

Is it possible to use NICs that are not setup for UCSM for other purposes?  In other words,  I have the following setup outlined in this doc  IE c-series plugged into 2232 tthat is plugged into FIs - http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/unified_computing/ucs/c/hw/C200M1/install/ucsm-integration.html

I would like to use a NIC that is not used for UCSM (IE not plugged into the 2232) for direct connection to a Network TAP.   Is this possible?

9 Replies 9

Keny Perez
Level 8
Level 8

Hi Clifton,

What specific topology are you making reference to so that I am sure we are on the same page.

Meanwhile, I am not sure I am understanding the question, but have you check this for the N2232?

https://supportforums.cisco.com/docs/DOC-26022

Looking forward to hearing from you,

-Kenny

Kenny,

The topology is is pretty straight forward for c-series server for ucsm integration.  For UCSM *data* connectivity, the c-series CNA connects to the 2232 pair and the 2232 pair connects to the FI pair.  For UCSM *LOM* access is setup similar way.

Essentially it is Figure 12 in the following PDF of this URL.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/customer/docs/unified_computing/ucs/c-series_integration/ucsm2.1/b_UCSM2-1_C-Integration.html

We want to use a NIC that is currently not in use by the UCSM(data or LOM) that would plug into a network TAP.

Is this possible?

Cliff

Clifton,

Thanks for the update.

If your server is a C200, there should be no remaining NICs, what server model do you have?

-Kenny

Keny,

It is a C200, with a CNA installed in one of the PCI slots for data traffic.  LOM is plugged into the LOM links which leaves on-bard NIC free.  We could also install a NIC card in this too.

Cliff

Clifton,

So you mean slot "C" in this image?

According to :

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/partner/docs/unified_computing/ucs/c/hw/C200M1/install/replace.html  "Under Replacement Procedure" it says:

A standard-profile PCIe card  must be installed on the right side of the assembly, as viewed from the  rear of the server. A low-profile PCIe card can be installed in either  the low-profile slots on the left, or the standard-profile slots on the  right if a standard-profile I/O bracket is used on the card.

I do not see any restriction, so yuo should be able to use it.

-Kenny

Kenny,

Don't think you completety understand my question. I agree that slot C is where we could install a NIC card and that should work for a c-series blade in stand-alone mode.  However the problem is when it is being managed by UCSM and you have to apply a service profile via UCSM, does it disable the NICs that are not in use?  It seems to be doing that possibly for on-board nics.

Thoughts?

Cliff

Clifton,

The integration will not disable any other NICs... that is confirmed when we see customers integrating C-series that have 4-5 PCIe cards and do not lose any functionalities; or when a customer uses single wire, which is used with a Vic 1225 and the connection goes ONLY to the FEXs (no cables going to the FIs directly).

See the attachement for single wire on a C220 for example:

That C220 is using a VIC card where its only 2 ports go to the FEXs, but the C220 still has another PCIe slot available, fully functional.

Nobody would probably integrate a C460 for example, which has a few PCIe slots.

In summary, you can still use that other PCIe, the integration will not disable them or make them unavailable.

Let me know if you have any doubt about it, I appreciate your patience explaining the scenario so far 

Regards,

-Kenny

That is good news.   Thank you Kenny,

Do you know if I have to setup as Single wire or will dual work as well?  It is currently setup as dual.   There is a PCI slot free in the dual setup.

Thanks again,

Cliff

Clifton,

According to the information I have, a Cisco UCS VIC 1225 is supported only on Cisco  UCS C260 M2, C460 M2, C220 M3, C240 M3, C22 M3, and C24 M3 rack servers (C200/210 are EoS).

So for your C200, single wire does not seem to be an option since the VIC 1225 is required but is, unfortunately, not supported in the C200.

This tool might help you for compatibility questions in the future but for now dual wire will be your only option:

http://www.cisco.com/web/techdoc/ucs/interoperability/matrix/matrix.html

If my answers have been somehow helpful, rate them, I'll appreciate that

-Kenny

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