One of the most sought-after enterprise networking products from Cisco is its Unified Computing System (UCS) platform. First released in 2009, data centers worldwide have embraced its comprehensive architecture. Since then, it has seen several generations, with improvements and advancements building on one another.
In this article, we’ll compare the Cisco M5, M6, and M7 server generations. We’ll cover how the models in these generations differ and which is best for your specific requirements and use cases.
What is a Cisco UCS Server?
Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) is a server platform that simplifies and automates data center operations. It offers a more efficient, scalable, and manageable infrastructure by integrating servers, storage, and networking into a single system.
Within the UCS family of products, several series cater to different architectural and performance requirements. The platform includes both blade and rack servers, which can be used in medium and large-sized data centers.
Key Features of Cisco UCS
Here are the main features of the Cisco UCS platform:
- Unified Fabric: UCS's highlight and primary selling point is its unified fabric. It’s not just a server per se but a unified computing and storage system. It seamlessly combines servers, storage, and networking components, eliminating the complexity of traditional data center architectures that rely on standalone servers and storage. Its unified fabric offers better performance with a smaller footprint.
- Fabric Interconnects: These devices are the heart of the UCS fabric, connecting servers, storage, and networking components. They offer high-speed, low-latency communication and can scale to meet growing demands.
- Storage: UCS supports a variety of storage options, including Fibre Channel, iSCSI, and NVMe, allowing organizations to choose the storage solution that best suits their workload and budget.
- Blade Servers: These high-density servers fit into a chassis and share common resources like power and cooling. Blade servers are ideal for environments with limited space and high server-density requirements.
- Rack Servers: These standalone servers can be mounted in a rack and are suitable for workloads with specific requirements. Rack servers offer flexibility and can be customized to meet individual needs.
Cisco UCS Server Types
The Cisco UCS platform has four distinct series, each offering its unique benefits.
- UCS X-Series: This series combines blade and rack servers' architecture, features, and use cases with its modular design. It’s a modernized server solution for advanced computing needs and agile storage. Cisco has also introduced PODs for AI inference, making these modular servers AI-ready.
- UCS B-Series: These are blade servers that work with the Cisco Intersight platform to run virtualized and physical applications. They are high-density servers capable of handling a wide range of workloads smoothly.
- UCS C-Series: The most commonly used within the family, these rack servers provide a flexible, converged infrastructure with processor, memory, and storage. They come in pre-configured bundles best suited for the average data center needs.
- UCS S-Series: This series leans more toward storage than computing. It’s a storage-optimized solution with integrated storage controllers and support for various storage protocols. This series has limited models but is still a viable solution for data centers looking to handle data-heavy workloads.
Cisco UCS Comparisons: M5, M6, and M7
Cisco’s UCS servers have been around for well over a decade, and each generation represents significant upgrades in performance and features. Currently, the platform is in the M8 generation, but M5, M6, and M7 models are still in circulation.
The M6 platform introduced new processors, memory technologies, and networking options compared to the M5 generation, allowing organizations to stay updated with evolving technology requirements.
That said, even older models like M5 and M6 are still capable of meeting modern data center needs, especially with third-party support extending their lifespan.
A Quick Comparison of Cisco M5, M6, and M7
- Cisco UCS M5: Introduced a new design with enhanced performance and efficiency. For example, the Cisco UCS 220 M5 came with 2nd Gen Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors with up to 9 TB of memory with Intel Optane™ PMem in 1 RU form factor.
- Cisco UCS M6: Refined the UCS architecture, with the UCS 220 M6 model featuring 3rd Gen Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors and up to 12 TB of memory with Intel Optane™ PMem. The Cisco UCS 240 M6 also had similar specs but with a 2 RU form factor, which has a higher height.
- Cisco UCS M7: The most recent generation, M7, builds upon the M6 platform with even more advanced features and capabilities. It offers improved performance, scalability, and efficiency, making it suitable for demanding workloads and cloud-native environments. The Cisco UCS 220 M7 and 240 M7 feature 4th or 5th Gen Intel® Xeon® scalable processors with 4TB of memory.
Learn more about Cisco computing model comparisons.
Cisco UCS Use Cases
Before determining which exact series, generation, and model is best for your organization, exploring the possible use cases of Cisco UCS servers is best. Here are the most common applications of these all-in-one single architecture platforms:
- Data Centers: UCS is ideal for traditional and modern cloud environments. This platform is optimized for data center usage and designed with space, performance, and storage requirements in mind.
- Virtualization: UCS provides a reliable platform for running virtualized workloads, including private clouds and virtual desktops.
- High-Performance Computing: UCS can handle demanding HPC workloads like scientific simulations and engineering calculations. The latest models may also support AI inference workloads.
- Database Environments: UCS is well-suited for hosting large-scale database applications. The S-Series model is specifically designed for use cases where extensive data needs to be stored and processed in a single server environment.
- Web and Application Hosting: UCS can provide a scalable and reliable platform for hosting web applications and services, especially those that process a lot of data. The servers can make web application processing faster with built-in storage and generous memory.
Which Generation Is Best For Your Enterprise?
The most recent Cisco UCS M7 generation provides superior performance, scalability, and efficiency. However, the M6 series, with its comparable memory capacity and performance efficiency, also remains a strong option. Cisco has announced the end-of-sale of the M5 models, so if cost efficiency is key, consider refurbished M5 models to meet more modest performance needs.
Here are some tips to find the best Cisco UCS platform:
- Workload requirements: Consider the specific needs of your applications and workloads to determine the best-suited series.
- Space constraints: If space is limited, the B-Series or C-Series may be more suitable due to their compact form factors.
- Scalability: The X-Series and S-Series offer high scalability, making them ideal for growing organizations.
- Cost: The C-Series often provides pre-configured solutions at a potentially lower cost than custom configurations.
Procure with PivIT!
If you’re unsure which Cisco UCS server - whether M5, M6, or M7 - is the right choice for your data center, PivIT can help guide you through the process. Our procurement specialists understand the importance of selecting the right equipment, balancing your needs, and sticking to your budget. Whether you’re considering the Cisco M5, M6, or M7 models, PivIT offers tailored solutions to help you make an informed decision.
FAQs
What is the difference between UCS X-Series and B-Series?
The UCS X-Series is designed for rack-mounted servers, offering flexibility and customization. On the other hand, the UCS B-Series is made up of blade servers, providing high-density and shared resources.
Why choose a UCS C-Series solution?
The UCS C-Series offers pre-configured bundles, simplifying deployment and management. It's ideal for organizations seeking to reduce complexity and costs.
What are the benefits of the UCS S-Series for storage-intensive workloads?
The UCS S-Series provides integrated storage controllers, high-density storage options, and support for various storage protocols. This makes it ideal for organizations with demanding storage requirements.