UCS C240 M4 with Cisco UCS VIC1227 VIC MLOM - Dual Port 10Gb SFP+

Hi All,
Have a few UCS C-series questions:
If I have a UCS C240 M4 rack server with Cisco UCS VIC1227 VIC MLOM - Dual Port 10Gb SFP+, but do not have fabric interconnect(s), I cannot use the UCS VIC1227 for anything, can I? The VIC ports HAVE to be connected to the FI(s) in order to be integrated with the UCS Manager. There is no local UCS manager software running on the server itself, is there?
It is useless to have this card in the server without the FI(s), isn’t it?
The OS that is going to be installed on the server is not going to see those 10GB ports on the VIC, isn’t it?
And if there are no additional PCIe NICs installed in the server, I am stuck with the two 1GB onboard NICs, is that correct?
Any input is appreciated.

do not have fabric interconnect(s), I cannot use the UCS VIC1227 for anything, can I?
The VIC 1227 can be used to integrate the server with UCSM, but that does NOT mean that is its unique function... the VIC 1227 is a CNA card that can be used whether your server is in standalone mode (no Fabric Interconnects) or integrated with UCSM.
If the server is not connected to a Fabric Interconnect (FI), it still has CIMC (Cisco Integrated Management Controller) which can be configured by attaching a monitor to the server and a keyboard, press F8 when you see the Cisco logo and then you can configure the IP, subnet, gateway, NIC mode and others... this may help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHQBvwO7pUU
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/unified_computing/ucs/e/1-0/gs/guide/b_Getting_Started_Guide/b_Getting_Started_Guide_chapter_0101.html#task_3F8535D6A9574BCD806B25FEBF44615D
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/servers-unified-computing/ucs-c200-m1-high-density-rack-mount-server/111455-setup-cimc-c-series.html <<< Little old but still helps.
It is useless to have this card in the server without the FI(s), isn’t it?
It is NOT useless to have the card in the server without the FIs, having the servers integrated only allows you to take advantage of the flexibility of Service Profiles but the VIC card still has the same capabilities whether you have an FI or not.
The OS that is going to be installed on the server is not going to see those 10GB ports on the VIC, isn’t it?
See above
And if there are no additional PCIe NICs installed in the server, I am stuck with the two 1GB onboard NICs, is that correct?
Same answer as above
Let me know if you have further questions. IF I covered everything, please mark the question as "answered" for future users with the same doubts.
-Kenny

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CAB-9K10A-UK              2x Power Cord 250VAC 10A BS1363 Plug (13 A fuse) UK
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Welcome to the Cisco Support Community Ask the Expert conversation. This conversation is an opportunity to learn and ask questions about Cisco C-Series Integration with Cisco Unified Computing System® Manager (Cisco UCS® Manager) with Cisco experts Vishal Mehta and Manuel Velasco.
Cisco UCS C-Series Rack-Mount Servers are managed by the built-in standalone software, Cisco Integrated Management Controller (Cisco IMC). When a C-Series rack-mount server is integrated with Cisco UCS Manager, the IMC no longer manages the server. Instead you will manage the server using the Cisco UCS Manager GUI or Cisco UCS Manager command-line interface (CLI).
Cisco UCS Manager 2.2 provides three connectivity modes for Cisco UCS C-Series Rack-Mount Server management. The following are the connectivity modes:
Dual-wire management (shared LAN On Motherboard [LOM]): Shared LOM ports on the rack server are used exclusively for carrying management traffic.A separate cable connected to one of the ports on the Payment Card Industry Express (PCIe) card carries the data traffic.
SingleConnect (Sideband): Using Network Controller Sideband Interface (NC-SI), the Cisco UCS Virtual Interface Card 1225 (VIC1225) connects one cable that can carry both data and management traffic.
Direct Connect Mode: Cisco UCS Manager Version 2.2 introduces an additional rack server management mode using direct connection to the Fabric Interconnect.
Vishal Mehta is a customer support engineer for Cisco’s Data Center Server Virtualization Technical Assistance Center (TAC) team based in San Jose, California. He has been working in the TAC for the past 3 years with a primary focus on data center technologies such as Cisco Nexus® 5000, Cisco UCS, Cisco Nexus 1000V, and virtualization. He presented at Cisco Live in Orlando 2013 and will present at Cisco Live Milan 2014 (BRKCOM-3003, BRKDCT-3444, and LABDCT-2333). He holds a master’s degree from Rutgers University in electrical and computer engineering and has CCIE® certification (number 37139) in routing and switching and service provider.
Manuel Velasco is a customer support engineer for Cisco’s Data Center Server Virtualization TAC team based in San Jose, California. He has been working in the TAC for the past 3 years with a primary focus on data center technologies such as Cisco UCS, Cisco Nexus 1000V, and virtualization. Manuel holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering from California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) and CCNA® and VMware VCP certifications. Remember to use the rating system to let Vishal and Manuel know if you have received an adequate response.
Because of the volume expected during this event, our experts might not be able to answer every question. Remember that you can continue the conversation in the Data Center, under subcommunity, Unified Computing, shortly after the event. This event lasts through May 23, 2014. Visit this forum often to view responses to your questions and the questions of other Cisco Support Community members.

Hello Sebastian,
The different modes of connecting C-Series with UCSM come into play depending on the type of infrastructure you already have along with C-Series and NIC model.
Cisco UCS C-Series Rack-Mount Servers are managed by the built-in standalone software, Cisco Integrated Management Controller (CIMC) .
Powerful features provided by Cisco UCS Manager can be leveraged to manage C-Series server by integrating C-Series Rack-Mount Server with UCSM.
This not only gives you rich-feature set but also one management plane to operate UCS-B Series Chassis and UCS-C Series Rack Server.
You will manage the server using the Cisco UCS Manager GUI or Cisco UCS Manager CLI.
Cisco UCS Manager 2.2 provides three connectivity modes for Cisco UCS C-Series Rack-Mount Server management.
The following are the connectivity modes:
• Dual-wire Management (Shared LOM):
Shared LAN on Motherboard (LOM) ports on the rack server are used exclusively for carrying management traffic. A separate cable connected to one of the ports on the PCIe card carries the data traffic. Using two separate cables for managing data traffic and management traffic is also referred to as dual-wire management.
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/unified_computing/ucs/c-series_integration/ucsm2-2/b_C-Series-Integration_UCSM2-2/b_C-Series-Integration_UCSM2-2_chapter_0100.html
This mode is recommended when you have C-Server which does not have or cannot support VIC 1225 card (such C-200 server)
• SingleConnect (Sideband):
Using Network Controller Sideband Interface (NC-SI), Cisco UCS VIC1225 Virtual Interface Card (VIC) connects one cable that can carry both data traffic and management traffic.
This feature is referred to as SingleConnect.
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/unified_computing/ucs/c-series_integration/ucsm2-2/b_C-Series-Integration_UCSM2-2/b_C-Series-Integration_UCSM2-2_chapter_011.html
This most recommended Integration model when using FEX and VIC 1225 card
• Direct Connect Mode:
Cisco UCS Manager release version 2.2 introduces an additional rack server management mode using direct connection to the Fabric Interconnect.
This mode will eliminate the need for FEX module as Servers are directly plugged into the base ports of Fabric Interconnect
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/unified_computing/ucs/c-series_integration/ucsm2-2/b_C-Series-Integration_UCSM2-2/b_C-Series-Integration_UCSM2-2_chapter_0110.html
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Thanks,
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Last election time: Wed Feb 5 16:23:26 2014
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It's good to know that the Fabric Interconnects don't need upstream connectivity, so we can scratch that from our list of possible issues.
For clarity, here are the important firware versions:
CMIC - 1.5(3), cisco recommends a minimum of 1.4(6)
BIOS - 1.5.1c, cisco recommends a minumum of 1.4.7a
vNIC - 2.1(1c), cisco recommends a minumum of 2.1(0.367e)
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wdey,
I tried going trough UCS Manager and looking where i could configure the out-of-band IP management pool, but I can't find the right place to do that. Here is a screen shot of the VLAN tab of my UCS Manager.
Could you eleborate more on the process of how to do this? This might fix the issue.
Also, I noticed that in the BIOs setting screen, under Advanced -> LOM and PCIe Slots configuration -> PCIe Slot ID: 2(VIC 1225) it says Option ROM Status Not Loaded. Do you think this might have something to do with server discovery?
Thanks alot for the help guys It's really much apprecaited.
-Alex

Ask the Expert: Cisco UCS Troubleshooting Boot from SAN with FC and iSCSI

Welcome to this Cisco Support Community Ask the Expert conversation. This is an opportunity to learn and ask questions about Cisco UCS Troubleshooting Boot from SAN with FC and iSCSI with Vishal Mehta and Manuel Velasco.
The current industry trend is to use SAN (FC/FCoE/iSCSI) for booting operating systems instead of using local storage.
Boot from SAN offers many benefits, including:
Server without local storage can run cooler and use the extra space for other components.
Redeployment of servers caused by hardware failures becomes easier with boot from SAN servers.
SAN storage allows the administrator to use storage more efficiently.
Boot from SAN offers reliability because the user can access the boot disk through multiple paths, which protects the disk from being a single point of failure.
Cisco UCS takes away much of the complexity with its service profiles and associated boot policies to make boot from SAN deployment an easy task.
Vishal Mehta is a customer support engineer for Cisco’s Data Center Server Virtualization TAC team based in San Jose, California. He has been working in the TAC for the past three years with a primary focus on data center technologies such as Cisco Nexus 5000, Cisco UCS, Cisco Nexus 1000v, and virtualization. He has presented at Cisco Live in Orlando 2013 and will present at Cisco Live Milan 2014 (BRKCOM-3003, BRKDCT-3444, and LABDCT-2333). He holds a master’s degree from Rutgers University in electrical and computer engineering and has CCIE certification (number 37139) in routing and switching and service provider.
Manuel Velasco is a customer support engineer for Cisco’s Data Center Server Virtualization TAC team based in San Jose, California. He has been working in the TAC for the past three years with a primary focus on data center technologies such as Cisco UCS, Cisco Nexus 1000v, and virtualization. Manuel holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering from California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) and VMware VCP and CCNA certifications.
Remember to use the rating system to let Vishal and Manuel know if you have received an adequate response.
Because of the volume expected during this event, our experts might not be able to answer every question. Remember that you can continue the conversation in the Data Center community, under subcommunity Unified Computing, shortly after the event. This event lasts through April 25, 2014. Visit this forum often to view responses to your questions and the questions of other Cisco Support Community members.

Hello Evan
Thank you for asking this question. Most common TAC cases that we have seen on Boot-from-SAN failures are due to misconfiguration.
So our methodology is to verify configuration and troubleshoot from server to storage switches to storage array.
Before diving into troubleshooting, make sure there is clear understanding of this topology. This is very vital with any troubleshooting scenario. Know what devices you have and how they are connected, how many paths are connected, Switch/NPV mode and so on.
Always try to troubleshoot one path at a time and verify that the setup is in complaint with the SW/HW interop matrix tested by Cisco.
Step 1: Check at server
a. make sure to have uniform firmware version across all components of UCS
b. Verify if VSAN is created and FC uplinks are configured correctly. VSANs/FCoE-vlan should be unique per fabric
c. Verify at service profile level for configuration of vHBAs - vHBA per Fabric should have unique VSAN number
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c. Check if both the initiator (Server) and the target (Storage) are logged into the fabric switch (command for MDS/N5k - show flogi database vsan X)
d. Once confirmed that initiator and target devices are logged into the fabric, query the name server to see if they have registered themselves correctly. (command - show fcns database vsan X)
e. Most important configuration to check on Storage Switch is the zoning
Zoning is basically access control for our initiator to targets. Most common design is to configure one zone per initiator and target.
Zoning will require you to configure a zone, put that zone into your current zonset, then ACTIVATE it. (command - show zoneset active vsan X)
Step 3: Check at Storage Array
When the Storage array logs into the SAN fabric, it queries the name server to see which devices it can communicate.
LUN masking is crucial step on Storage Array which gives particular host (server) access to specific LUN
Assuming that both the storage and initiator have FLOGI’d into the fabric and the zoning is correct (as per Step 1 & 2)
Following needs to be verified at Storage Array level
a. Are the wwpn of the initiators (vhba of the hosts) visible on the storage array?
b. If above is yes then Is LUN Masking applied?
c. What LUN number is presented to the host - this is the number that we see in Lun ID on the 'Boot Order' of Step 1
Below document has details and troubleshooting outputs:
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/servers-unified-computing/ucs-b-series-blade-servers/115764-ucs-san-tshoot-00.html
Hope this answers your question.
Thanks,
Vishal

CIsco UCS-C200M2 with Unified Communication Products

Hi,
If anybody knows what are the Unified Communication products we can install on Cisco UCS solution with EXS VMware ESXi 4.0 Standard Edition.
If any other products pls let me know that alo.
Thanks in Advance.
Regards,
Sunish

Yes, the DocWiki covers this on the Supported Applications page. It is worth mentioning that only there are specific hardware component requirements of the C200M2 for VTG support.
Please rate useful responses.

UCS C240 M4 with Cisco UCS VIC1227 VIC MLOM - Dual Port 10Gb SFP+

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