Cisco C220 M4 1U Rack Server — Dual Xeon E5-2640 v4, 64GB RAM, 12Gb/s SAS

The Cisco UCS C220 M4 SFF rack server is the newest 2-socket, 1U rack server from Cisco, designed for performance and expandability over a wide range of storage-intensive infrastructure workloads—from web serving to distributed databases. Experience high performance, built-in security, and remote management capabilities that help keep your data center running smoothly while delivering the reliability and scalability modern workloads demand.

• Dual-socket 1U rack server delivers high-density performance for demanding workloads, enabling you to consolidate workloads that historically required larger platforms. This compact footprint helps maximize data-center space while maintaining enterprise-class capabilities.
• Equipped with 2 x Intel Xeon E5-2640 v4 processors at 2.40 GHz, the C220 M4 provides solid multi-threaded performance, strong virtualization support, and efficient handling of I/O-intensive storage tasks that power data-driven applications and services.
• 64 GB of RAM provides ample headroom for databases, virtualization, in-memory caching, and high-traffic web applications, with room to scale as workloads grow and demand shifts over time.
• 12Gb/s SAS Controller enables fast, scalable storage I/O, supporting robust RAID configurations and flexible storage layouts for storage-heavy workloads such as databases, data warehouses, and large-scale analytics deployments.
• The SFF form factor pairs Cisco UCS integration with built-in security features and remote management to simplify administration, streamline firmware updates, and reduce operational risk in busy data-center environments.

Technical Details of Cisco C220 M4 1U Rack Server

• CPU: 2 x Intel Xeon E5-2640 v4 2.40 GHz (dual-socket 1U rack server)
• Memory: 64 GB RAM
• Storage Controller: 12Gb/s SAS Controller
• Form Factor: 1U rack, SFF, 2-socket server
• Management and security: Built-in security features with remote management capabilities to support centralized administration and lifecycle management

How to install Cisco C220 M4

Before you begin, ensure you have a standard 19-inch rack with compatible mounting rails, a reliable power source, and appropriate network access for management and OS deployment. Confirm that ambient conditions meet the server’s requirements for airflow, temperature, and humidity to maintain optimal performance and longevity.

Step 1 — Rack mounting: Slide the C220 M4 into the rack rails and secure the chassis using the provided cage nuts and hardware. Verify that there is sufficient clearance for cable routing and cooling airflow behind and around the unit. Step 2 — Power and cabling: Connect redundant power supplies if available and attach management, data, and network cables to the appropriate ports. For remote management, ensure the management interface is reachable over the designated network. Step 3 — BIOS/UEFI configuration: Power on the server and enter the BIOS/UEFI to configure CPU options, memory profiles, boot order, and any storage controller settings. Apply performance or workload-specific settings such as enabling virtualization extensions if you plan to run hypervisors. Step 4 — Storage setup: Configure the 12Gb/s SAS controller for your preferred storage topology (RAID levels and disk order) and define boot drives if needed. Step 5 — Operating system installation: Install your chosen operating system via USB, DVD, or network boot (PXE), then install required drivers and firmware updates to ensure compatibility with the Xeon E5-2640 v4 processors and the SAS controller. Step 6 — Management integration: If you are operating in a Cisco UCS environment, register the server with Cisco UCS Manager to enable policy-driven management, firmware lifecycle control, and centralized monitoring. Step 7 — Validation: Reboot as necessary, verify hardware visibility in the OS, confirm storage access, and run baseline performance checks to validate readiness for production workloads. Regularly monitor hardware health, firmware levels, and security updates to maintain optimum performance and reliability.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What workloads is the Cisco C220 M4 best suited for?

  A: It is designed for storage-intensive workloads, including web serving and distributed databases, with dual-socket performance and robust security features to support scalable, mission-critical applications.

• Q: How much memory does it include?

  A: The system ships with 64 GB of RAM, providing a solid foundation for virtualization, in-memory databases, and high-traffic services, with room to scale as needs grow.

• Q: What storage controller does it include?

  A: A 12Gb/s SAS Controller that enables fast I/O and flexible RAID configurations for dependable, storage-heavy workloads.

• Q: Is this server suitable for virtualization?

  A: Yes. With dual Xeon processors and ample RAM, it is well-suited for virtualization deployments, multiple virtual machines, and scalable cloud-like workloads, depending on your licensing and configuration.

• Q: Does it offer remote management?

  A: Yes. The description notes built-in security and remote management capabilities, typically managed through Cisco UCS Manager, to simplify centralized administration and ongoing maintenance.