Cisco C220 M4 1U Rack Server — Dual Xeon E5-2640 v4, 32GB RAM, 12Gb/s SAS

The Cisco UCS C220 M4 SFF rack server is a high-density, two-socket 1U powerhouse designed to power storage-intensive workloads with enterprise-grade reliability. Engineered for data centers and enterprise environments, its compact form factor does not compromise performance or expandability. With dual Intel Xeon E5-2640 v4 processors clocked at 2.40 GHz, this server delivers robust multi-threaded performance suitable for virtualization, databases, web services, and big data applications. Its 32 GB of memory provides a solid foundation for virtualization hosts, database caches, and memory-heavy workloads, while the 12Gb/s SAS controller ensures fast, consistent access to storage resources. The Cisco UCS C220 M4 is built to handle the demands of modern IT, offering security, manageability, and scalable storage in a single, reliable package.

Designed for a broad range of enterprise workloads, the C220 M4 excels in scenarios where storage throughput and data access latency are critical. From web hosting and software-defined storage to distributed databases and virtualized environments, this 1U rack server delivers predictable performance, streamlined management, and flexible expansion options. The SFF (small form factor) design supports dense drive configurations, enabling cost-effective scale-out storage while maintaining a compact footprint in dense data-center racks. Cisco’s UCS integration provides centralized, policy-driven management that helps reduce operational complexity, accelerate provisioning, and simplify firmware and driver updates across the infrastructure.

• Dual Xeon performance: Two Intel Xeon E5-2640 v4 processors at 2.40 GHz deliver multi-core processing power for virtualization, data analytics, and high-demand workloads, helping to accelerate service delivery and reduce bottlenecks in busy data centers.
• Storage-centric architecture: Equipped with a 12Gb/s SAS controller and SFF drive support, the C220 M4 is built to deliver high-throughput storage I/O for databases, file services, and enterprise applications, enabling faster data access and improved I/O scalability.
• Balanced memory capacity: 32 GB of RAM provides a solid foundation for running multiple virtual machines, containers, and in-memory data processing tasks, with room to grow as workloads evolve.
• Enterprise-grade reliability and security: Cisco UCS management and hardware protection features enhance uptime, simplify governance, and help protect sensitive data within the data center environment.
• Flexible, scalable 1U form factor: The compact 1U chassis supports dense deployment in standard racks, enabling space-efficient integration into existing IT infrastructures while leaving room for future expansion as demand grows.

Technical Details of Cisco C220 M4

• Model: Cisco UCS C220 M4 SFF rack server
• Form factor: 1U rack-mount chassis
• Processors: 2 x Intel Xeon E5-2640 v4 @ 2.40 GHz
• Memory: 32 GB RAM
• Storage controller: 12Gb/s SAS Controller
• Drive interface: Small Form Factor (SFF) drive bays for flexible storage configurations
• Expansion: Supports additional PCIe slots for I/O, networking, and acceleration cards
• Management: Integrated enterprise management capabilities for remote diagnostics, monitoring, and firmware updates
• Networking: Onboard network interfaces with options for additional NICs or flexible network configurations

how to install Cisco C220 M4

Installing the Cisco C220 M4 is a straightforward process designed to minimize downtime and maximize reliability in production environments. Follow these best-practice steps to deploy the server quickly and securely.

1) Prepare the rack and workspace: Ensure your rack is properly mounted and secured in a clean, climate-controlled space. Verify that the rack has adequate cooling and power capacity for a dual-socket, high-I/O server. Gather the necessary cables for power, management, and data networking.

2) Rack and secure the server: Slide the C220 M4 into a suitable 1U rack slot. Attach stabilizing rails or a mounting kit as required by your rack architecture. Ensure the server is level and securely fastened to prevent movement during operation.

3) Connect power and networking: Connect the power cables to an appropriate power distribution path and connect the NICs or network interface modules to your network switches. If using management features, connect the management port to a dedicated out-of-band network segment to enable remote diagnostics and monitoring.

4) Configure BIOS/UEFI and firmware: Power on the server and enter the BIOS/UEFI setup. Enable virtualization features (such as Intel VT-x/VT-d) if you plan to run virtual machines or containers. Review and set boot order to prioritize your installation media (USB, SD, or PXE). Update firmware and drivers to the latest Cisco UCS-compatible versions to ensure compatibility, security, and performance gains.

5) Configure storage: Access the 12Gb/s SAS controller’s management interface during boot or via the OS installer to create and manage storage volumes. Define RAID levels, if supported by the controller, and create logical drives that align with your workload requirements. Plan for hot spares, if available, to reduce rebuild times and protect data integrity.

6) Install the operating system: Boot from your preferred installation medium (Windows Server, Linux distributions, VMware ESXi, or other supported platforms). Follow the vendor-specific installation steps, including partitioning, driver installation, and network configuration. If you are leveraging Cisco UCS for centralized management, enroll the server in UCS Manager to streamline provisioning, policy enforcement, and lifecycle management.

7) Configure management and monitoring: Install or enable the server management software provided by Cisco UCS, CIMC, or your chosen management framework. Set up monitoring alerts, performance baselines, and firmware update policies to ensure ongoing reliability and predictable performance. Establish a backup strategy and recovery plan, including regular firmware and driver updates to minimize security risks and compatibility issues.

8) Validate performance and security: Run baseline performance tests to verify CPU, memory, and storage throughput meet your requirements. Review security configurations, including access control, encryption where appropriate, and secure boot settings if supported by the hardware and OS. Document the final configuration for future reference and support needs.

Tips for successful installation: keep spare cables and components on hand, document all settings, and coordinate downtime with stakeholders if you are deploying into production. If you leverage Cisco UCS Manager, leverage policy-based provisioning to standardize configurations across multiple servers and simplify future expansions.

Frequently asked questions

• What workloads is the Cisco C220 M4 best suited for? It is designed for storage-intensive infrastructure workloads, including virtualization, distributed databases, web serving, and data-intensive applications that benefit from fast SAS storage I/O and reliable dual-processor performance.
• What operating systems can run on this server? The C220 M4 supports a wide range of operating systems, including Windows Server, various Linux distributions, and virtualization platforms such as VMware ESXi, depending on driver availability and compatibility.
• What management capabilities are included? The server includes enterprise management capabilities for remote monitoring, diagnostics, and firmware updates, with integration into Cisco UCS Manager for centralized policy-driven administration and lifecycle management.
• How expandable is the system? The 1U chassis is designed for density and expandability, with PCIe slots for I/O, networking, and accelerators, plus SFF drive bays that allow scalable storage configurations to meet growing data demands.
• Is this server suitable for virtualization hosts? Yes. With dual Xeon processors and 32 GB of RAM, the C220 M4 provides a capable foundation for running multiple virtual machines or lightweight containers, along with the storage performance provided by the 12Gb/s SAS controller.