An FI is the core component of a UCS solution. FIs are typically configured as highly available clustered pairs in production environments. It's possible to run a single FI-based design as a proof of concept test deployment before actually implementing it in production. FIs provide the following two capabilities:
Network connectivity to both LAN and SAN
UCS infrastructure management through the embedded management software, UCSM, for both hardware and software management
FIs are available in two generations, namely Cisco UCS 6100 series and Cisco UCS 6200 series. The core functionality is the same in both generations; however, UCS 6200 series has a newer generation Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), higher throughput, and increased number of physical ports. Both generations can be upgraded to the latest UCSM software.
FIs provide converged ports. Depending on the physical Small Form Factor Pluggable (SFP) transceivers and FI software configuration, each port can be configured in different ways. Cisco 6200 series FI ports can be configured as Ethernet ports, Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) ports, or Fiber Channel (FC) ports. On the other hand, 6100 series converged ports only support Ethernet and FCoE (they also support FC, but only in the expansion slot).
In production, FIs are deployed in clustered pairs to provide high availability. Cisco-supported implementation requires that clustered FIs be identical. The only possibility for having different FIs in a cluster is during a cluster upgrade.
Tip
Larger enterprises may consider deploying the Cisco UCS central software, which can manage multiple UCS domains across globally distributed datacenters.
The following are the specifications of all the available UCS FIs.
The Cisco 6296UP FI (UP represents Unified Ports) is a 2 RU device with a maximum of 96 converged ports. Ports can be configured as 1 GB Ethernet, 10 GB Ethernet, 10 GB FCoE, and 2/4/8 GB FC. The specifications of this FI are as follows:
A maximum of 20 blade server chassis per FI
A fabric throughput of 1920 Gbps
A 48-port base unit with three expansion slots (each expansion slot can add 16 ports)
The Cisco 6248UP FI is a 1 RU device with a maximum of 48 converged ports. Ports could be configured as 1 GB Ethernet, 10 GB Ethernet, 10 GB FCoE, and 2, 4, or 8 GB FC. The specifications of this FI are as follows:
A maximum of 20 blade server chassis per FI
A fabric throughput of 960 Gbps
A 32-port base unit with one expansion slot that can provide 16 extra ports
The Cisco 6140UP FI is a 2 RU device with a maximum of 48 converged ports. Fixed ports can be configured as 10 GB Ethernet and 10 GB FCoE. Only the first 16 ports can be configured as 1 GB Ethernet. The FC is only supported in the expansion module ports. The specifications of this FI are as follows:
The Cisco 6120UP FI is a 1 RU device with a maximum of 20 fixed 10 GB ports. Fixed ports can be configured as 10 GB Ethernet and 10 GB FCoE. Only the first eight ports can be configured as 1 GB Ethernet. The FC is only supported in the expansion module ports. The specifications of this FI are as follows:
A maximum of 20 blade server chassis per FI
A fabric throughput of 520 Gbps
A unit of 20 fixed ports with one expansion slot, which can provide eight 2/4/8 Gbps FC or six 10 Gbps ports
A variety of SFP transceivers are available for both FI series. These transceivers provide south-bound IOM connectivity and north-bound network and storage connectivity. They are based on industry-standard SFP+ specifications.
Transceivers can be selected depending on the technology, for example, Ethernet or FC, and also according to the distance requirements. For shorter distances between FIs, IOMs, and north-bound network switches, twinax cables with integrated SFP is an economical alternative as compared to fiber optic SFP.
The most commonly used transceivers include the following:
Cisco SFP-10G-SR: This is a multimode optical fiber 10 Gbps Ethernet SFP that can be used for distances up to 400 meters.
Cisco SFP-10G-LR: This is a single-mode optical fiber 10 Gbps Ethernet SFP that can be used for distances up to 10 Km.
Cisco SFP-10G-FET: This is a low power consuming multimode fiber optic 10 Gbps Ethernet SFP that can be used for distances up to 100 meters.
Cisco SFP-H10GB-CUxM: These are the twinax cables providing low cost 10 Gbps Ethernet connectivity and are available in 1, 3, 5, and 7 meter fixed length configurations. The actual transceivers are named SFP-H10GB-CU1M, SFP-H10GB-CU3M, SFP-H10GB-CU5M, and SFP-H10GB-CU7M according to the length each twinax cable provides.
Cisco SFP-H10GB-ACU10M: This is a 10-meter-long twinax cable providing 10 Gbps Ethernet. At a length of 10 meters, this cable requires active transceivers at both ends.
DS-SFP-FCxG-xW: These are multi-mode and single-mode fiber optic FC transceivers that are available at 2, 4, and 8 Gbps transfer speeds. The actual transceivers are named DS-SFP-FC4G-SW and DS-SFP-FC8G-SW according to the speed and distance covered by the transceiver.
Note
A detailed list of FI-compatible SFPs is available at http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/ps10265/ps11544/data_sheet_c78-675245.html.
Distance and other detailed specifications of the Cisco SFPs are available at http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/modules/ps5455/data_sheet_c78-455693.html.