Cisco UCS 64108 108 Port Fibre Channel Switch

The Cisco UCS 64108 108 Port Fibre Channel Switch is a high-density, enterprise-grade storage networking solution designed to meet the most demanding data-center requirements. Engineered to work seamlessly with the Cisco Unified Computing System, this switch delivers exceptional performance, reliability, and centralized management for modern SAN fabrics. Built to scale with growing storage needs, it enables streamlined provisioning, simplified zoning, and efficient utilization of existing infrastructure while supporting future-proof virtualization and consolidation strategies.

• Ultra-dense port capacity for expansive SAN fabrics: With 108 Fibre Channel ports in a compact form factor, the 64108 enables large, scalable SAN environments without sprawling cabling. This density reduces rack space, simplifies cabling complexity, and lowers overall data-center footprint while supporting growing data-storage demands.
• High-performance, low-latency storage connectivity: The switch is designed to optimize storage traffic with a robust fabric architecture. It delivers consistent, predictable latency and high throughput for mission-critical applications, ensuring fast and reliable access to Tier-1 storage resources across virtualized and physical servers.
• Seamless integration with Cisco UCS and centralized management: Purpose-built to harmonize with Cisco UCS Manager, the 64108 provides policy-driven provisioning, consistent firmware updates, and holistic visibility across the entire fabric. This integration reduces operational overhead and accelerates IT service delivery through a single management plane.
• Reliability, availability, and easy maintenance: Expect redundant power supplies, hot-swappable components, and non-disruptive firmware upgrades. The 64108 is engineered for data-center uptime, enabling maintenance without affecting production workloads and preserving service levels during growth and upgrade cycles.
• Advanced storage features for virtualization and security: The switch supports essential SAN features such as zoning, NPIV, and virtualization-friendly capabilities that enable efficient server-VM to storage-array connectivity. Enhanced security and access controls help safeguard data and simplify governance across the fabric.

Technical Details of Cisco UCS 64108 108 Port Fibre Channel Switch

• Ports: 108 Fibre Channel ports delivering high-density storage connectivity for large-scale SAN deployments.
• Fabric architecture: High-performance, scalable switching fabric optimized for low latency and predictable storage I/O.
• SFP/SFP+ compatibility: Designed to work with standard Fibre Channel transceivers and cables to fit existing storage infrastructure.
• FC speeds: Supports Fibre Channel operation across common storage speeds, with auto-negotiation between supported rates to ensure compatibility with diverse storage arrays and hosts.
• Management integration: Full compatibility with Cisco UCS Manager for policy-based provisioning, firmware lifecycle management, and centralized fabric administration.
• Reliability and availability: Redundant power supplies and cooling, hot-swappable modules, and non-disruptive upgrade paths to maximize uptime in production environments.
• Security and zoning: Flexible zoning and security controls to isolate storage traffic, protect data, and simplify access governance.
• Physical characteristics: Designed for data-center rack deployment with standard mounting options and environmental specifications suitable for enterprise environments.
• Compatibility: Optimized to pair with Cisco UCS compute nodes and fabric interconnects, providing a cohesive, scalable enterprise storage network built around Cisco’s Unified Computing System.

How to install Cisco UCS 64108 108 Port Fibre Channel Switch

Installing the Cisco UCS 64108 in a data center environment involves careful planning, proper rack preparation, and a methodical configuration process to ensure maximum performance and reliability. Follow these general steps to deploy the switch within a Cisco UCS fabric:

• Plan and prepare: Assess rack space, power requirements, cabling pathways, and the desired SAN topology. Confirm compatibility with existing Cisco UCS components, storage arrays, and host servers. Gather required management credentials and ensure you have access to Cisco UCS Manager or the appropriate CLI tooling.
• Rack and mount: Install the switch securely in a standard 19-inch rack, ensuring proper airflow clearance around the chassis. Verify mounting hardware and that the device sits level for stable operation.
• Connect fabric and storage cabling: Route Fibre Channel cables to connect host I/O interfaces and storage arrays. Use appropriate transceivers and short, clean fiber links to minimize signal loss and reflections. Label cables for easy identification during future maintenance or expansions.
• Power and initial boot: Attach redundant power supplies and power up the switch. Confirm that power and cooling systems are functioning, and monitor initial POST messages for any warnings or errors.
• Initial configuration and discovery: Access Cisco UCS Manager or the switch CLI to perform initial discovery, configure basic fabric settings, and verify that all ports are online. Establish connectivity to connected storage arrays and hosts to validate end-to-end reachability.
• Zoning and NPIV setup: Define SAN zoning to control which servers can access which storage resources. If NPIV is required, configure it to enable multiple virtual WWNs per host, allowing virtualization-aware storage provisioning without re-plugging host adapters.
• Policy-based management and firmware: Apply consistent firmware policies via UCS Manager, enabling centralized updates and lifecycle management. Schedule non-disruptive firmware upgrades to minimize impact on running workloads.
• Validation and optimization: Run storage benchmarks and access tests to verify latency, bandwidth, and IOPS against expected service levels. Tweak QoS, buffer credits, and zoning as needed to optimize performance for your workload mix.
• Documentation and monitoring: Record configuration details, topology diagrams, and maintenance windows. Enable monitoring and alerting to track health metrics, port utilization, and potential fault conditions for proactive maintenance.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the Cisco UCS 64108 used for? A: It is a high-density Fibre Channel switch designed to connect servers in Cisco UCS environments with storage arrays, enabling scalable, high-performance SAN fabrics and centralized management.
• Q: Is the 64108 compatible with UCS Manager? A: Yes. The switch is designed to integrate with Cisco UCS Manager for policy-based provisioning, firmware management, and unified fabric administration.
• Q: Does it support redundancy? A: Yes. The device includes redundant power supplies and hot-swappable components to maximize uptime and support non-disruptive maintenance.
• Q: What storage features are supported? A: The switch supports core SAN features such as zoning and NPIV, enabling flexible storage access for virtualized environments and simplified storage provisioning.
• Q: How do I optimize performance in a UCS-ready SAN? A: Use policy-driven configurations in UCS Manager, configure appropriate zoning and NPIV, monitor port utilization, apply non-disruptive firmware upgrades, and balance workloads with QoS settings to align bandwidth with application needs.