Cisco C240 M3 2U Rack Server — Dual Xeon E5-2680, 96 GB RAM, 4.8 TB Storage

The Cisco C240 M3 2U Rack Server is a robust, form-factor-agnostic member of the Cisco UCS C-Series lineup. Engineered to deliver exceptional compute, memory, and storage density in a standard 19-inch rack, this server is built for data centers that demand performance, reliability, and streamlined management. With two Intel Xeon E5-2680 processors running at 2.70 GHz, 96 GB of memory, and a substantial 4.8 TB storage footprint configured as 16 x 300 GB drives, the C240 M3 is ready to handle virtualization, large database workloads, and dense enterprise applications. Its SAS and SATA storage controller options provide flexible drive configurations, enabling you to tailor performance and capacity to your workload while maintaining enterprise-grade resilience.

• High-performance dual processors: Equipped with 2 x Intel Xeon E5-2680 at 2.70 GHz, delivering strong multi-threaded performance for virtual machines, databases, and enterprise apps. The multiprocessing capability helps accelerate workloads that demand parallel compute and fast data access.
• Substantial memory footprint: 96 GB of RAM supports aggressive virtualization, large in-memory databases, and memory-intensive applications. This ample memory pool helps minimize I/O bottlenecks and improves responsiveness under heavy workloads.
• Massive storage capacity in a compact chassis: A total of 4.80 TB of HDD storage, configured as 16 x 300 GB drives, provides generous space for databases, backups, and dense data sets. The 2U rack form factor squeezes high-capacity storage into a standard data center rack for efficient deployment.
• Flexible storage controller options: Serial ATA and SAS controller support enables a range of drive configurations and RAID levels to balance performance, redundancy, and cost. This flexibility makes the C240 M3 suitable for diverse workloads—from boot drives to high-availability data stores.
• Integrated Cisco UCS ecosystem: Part of the Cisco Unified Computing System family, the C240 M3 integrates with Cisco UCS management and networking to simplify provisioning, monitoring, and lifecycle operations. Designed to deliver greater visibility, cost efficiency, and agility in converged infrastructure environments.

Technical Details of Cisco C240 M3 2U Rack Server

• Form factor: 2U rack-mount server designed for dense data center deployments.
• Processors: 2 x Intel Xeon E5-2680 @ 2.70 GHz, offering substantial multi-core performance for virtualization and enterprise workloads.
• Memory: 96 GB of RAM to support virtualization, in-memory databases, and memory-intensive applications (expandable per platform capabilities).
• Storage configuration: 4.80 TB total raw storage, configured as 16 x 300 GB HDDs, enabling flexible data capacity and throughput.
• Storage controllers: Serial ATA and SAS Controller options for flexible drive configurations and RAID deployment.
• Converged infrastructure: Integrates with Cisco UCS ecosystem for streamlined management, fabric interconnects, and unified access to compute, storage, and networking resources.
• Target workloads: Suitable for virtualization, database applications, virtualization-ready workloads, and enterprise software deployments requiring reliable, scalable performance within a compact rack footprint.

How to Install Cisco C240 M3

• Prepare your data center space by ensuring adequate rack space, cooling, and power supply for a 2U chassis. Verify floor load capacity and ensure proper rack mounting hardware is available.
• Rack-mount the server securely using the provided mounting rails and screws. Attach the server to the rack and ensure it is firmly seated.
• Connect the appropriate power sources and any required redundant power if your data center design calls for it. Verify power cables are seated and routed for airflow.
• Connect storage and network interfaces as required by your deployment scenario. If using the included HDDs, ensure drive trays are properly seated and cabled according to your environment’s RAID and controller configuration.
• Power on the system and enter the system BIOS/ROM-based setup to configure boot order, RAID (if applicable), and any virtualization-related settings. Establish a baseline configuration suitable for your operating system or hypervisor.
• Install your operating system or virtualization platform (e.g., VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, or a Linux distribution). Follow the vendor-specific guidelines to install drivers and enable any required features (such as BIOS virtualization support or network adapters).
• Use Cisco UCS management tools or CIMC/UCS Manager to finalize provisioning, firmware updates, and ongoing management. Configure alerts, health monitoring, and resource pools to maintain performance and reliability over time.
• Perform a thorough validation including boot tests, storage initialization, and driver verification. Run representative workloads to verify performance expectations and stability before moving into production. Regularly monitor the system and apply firmware updates as part of your maintenance plan.

Frequently asked questions

• What workloads is the Cisco C240 M3 best suited for? It's designed for high-density, data-center workloads such as virtualization, dense databases, and enterprise applications that benefit from a strong combination of compute, memory, and substantial storage capacity in a 2U form factor.
• How much memory does it include and can it be expanded? The system ships with 96 GB of RAM. Memory expansion options depend on the specific motherboard configuration and generation; consult the firmware and motherboard specifications for supported maximums and recommended configurations.
• What storage options are available? The standard configuration supports a total of 4.8 TB across 16 x 300 GB drives, with storage controller options for Serial ATA and SAS. This setup enables flexible RAID configurations to balance performance and redundancy according to workload needs.
• Is this server suitable for Cisco UCS environments? Yes. It is a Cisco UCS C-Series server designed to integrate with UCS management and networking to provide a converged infrastructure experience with improved visibility, simplicity, and efficiency in the data center.
• Which operating systems and hypervisors are commonly used with this model? The Cisco C240 M3 supports a range of enterprise OS and virtualization platforms, including VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, and various Linux distributions, depending on driver and firmware compatibility. Always verify driver support and firmware levels for your chosen stack.
• Where can I find official specifications and firmware updates? Official specifications and firmware updates are typically available through Cisco’s product resources and authorized reseller portals. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, refer to Cisco UCS documentation and the supplier’s specifications page tied to the product SKU/UPC for the exact configuration.