Cisco’s Unified Computing Systems (UCS) has acquired the reputation of leading the next-generation of data center platforms by merging together the IT needs of computing, networking, storage access and virtualization into one unified system.
Cisco has decided to extend the Q3 Cisco Smart Play bundles until the end of the year. Now until December 31, 2011 there are (11) extensively discounted UCS B-Series Blade Server and C-Series Rack-Mount Server Bundles that are fully configured and ready to be implemented in any data center. This is a great opportunity for any company to experience the next-generation of data center platforms with Cisco’s UCS at an exceptionally low entry point.
UCS B-Series Smart Play Promo Summary
The Smart Play UCS B-Series Bundles have (7) options that range from an introductory priced B200 bundle to a high performance B230 Bundle which most now include the NEW Cisco 6248 48 Unified Port Fabric Interconnects
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I had the pleasure of spending time yesterday evening with a great customer in the Carolinas (thanks guys) working on a Cisco UCS C series server, where the goal was to install the P81E Cisco Virtual Interface Card (VIC) and carve up some virtual interfaces.
First, we had to shut down the server and assign it an address for use with CIMC so we could hit the server directly. Once this was done, we saw the firmware version of the CIMC was at 1.1.1. One of the requirements of the P81E is firmware for the CIMC specifically at 1.2.x or greater. On the Cisco website when downloading the latest firmware all that was offered for the 1.4 code was the Cisco Host Update Utility, which downloads as an ISO.
When using this, it clearly states that you CANNOT upgrade the BIOS or CIMC versions with the Utility until you’re at 1.2 or later. Since we were at 1.1, we had to download the BIOS / CIMC upgrades separately (which download as ZIP files containing the necessary BIN files). While that was downloading we updated all the other components using the Host Update Utility by mounting the ISO as Virtual Media via the CIMC interface– love this interface by the way.
When trying to upload the new firmware for the CIMC, we used the Browser Client, which lets you browse to a file on your local hard drive and upload it. This method failed several times, with only an “HTTP ERROR” status. When we switched over and used the TFTP server option, it worked without issues, and got our CIMC to the 1.2.x code desired. Finally.
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eGroup Certified to Sell, Design and Deploy Cisco Unified Data Center Solutions
Mt. Pleasant, SC – September 19, 2011 – eGroup, Inc., providing Technology Solutions for Serious Competitors, announced today that it has achieved the Advanced Data Center Architecture Specialization from Cisco. This specialization recognizes eGroup as having fulfilled the training requirements and program prerequisites to sell, design and deploy comprehensive Cisco® Unified Data Center solutions.
The specialization provides role-based training in three essential areas: Unified Fabric for optimizing data and storage needs; Unified Computing for streamlining data center resources and uniting network, computational, storage and virtualization platforms; and Unified Network Services for advancing the way application delivery and security services are provided in the data center network or computing environment. Read more >>
Cisco’s Unified Computing Systems (UCS) has acquired the reputation of leading the next-generation of data center platforms by merging together the IT needs of computing, networking, storage access and virtualization into one unified system.
Now until October 29, 2011, Cisco has announced (11) extensively discounted UCS B-Series Blade Server and C-Series Rack-Mount Server Bundles that are fully configured and ready to be implemented in any data center. This is a great opportunity for any company to experience the next-generation of data center platforms with Cisco’s UCS at an exceptionally low entry point.
UCS B-Series Smart Play Promo Summary
The Smart Play UCS B-Series Bundles have (8) options that range from an introductory priced B200 bundle to a high performance B230 Bundle which all include the Cisco M81KR Virtual Interface Card.
Read more >>
I ran into this this week – believe it or not, the 3-minute power off was what fixed it (mostly) though I did not fully disconnect it from the power source (which I will do next)
VMware ESXi 4.1 show’s Intel 82576 Gigabit NIC on Cisco UCS C210 M2 as 10Mbps Full – originally seen here – (Thanks!)
In my case, one nic negotiated 100 Full, the other to 100 Half – then after the firmware update, one went to 10 Full, the other went to 10 Half – then after the power off for 3 minutes, one went to 1000 Full, but the other is at 100 Full. Both are set to autonegotiate, and yes, I checked the switch port settings too…
Next step is to fully disconnect the power from the power supplies – but since this one is sitting more than 3 hours away I have to gently “fiddle” with the APC PDUs to find which port the power supplies are plugged into so I can administratively “shut it” – keep your fingers crossed…
