Cisco UCSX-M2-240G-D= Storage Module: Technical Specifications, Performance Benchmarks, and Deployment Strategies

​​Understanding the UCSX-M2-240G-D= in Cisco’s Storage Ecosystem​​

The Cisco UCSX-M2-240G-D= is a ​​240GB Dual-Port NVMe M.2 SSD​​ designed for Cisco’s UCS X-Series servers, providing high-speed, low-latency storage for mission-critical workloads. As part of Cisco’s 2nd Generation UCS storage portfolio, this module is engineered for applications requiring rapid data access, such as AI/ML inferencing, real-time analytics, and virtualization. The “D” suffix denotes ​​dual-port redundancy​​, ensuring continuous availability in enterprise environments where uptime is non-negotiable.

Unlike traditional SATA SSDs, the UCSX-M2-240G-D= leverages ​​PCIe Gen 4.0 x4​​ connectivity, delivering up to ​​6.5 GB/s sequential read​​ and ​​4.2 GB/s sequential write​​ speeds. Its integration with Cisco’s ​​UCS Manager​​ and ​​Intersight​​ enables automated provisioning and health monitoring, reducing operational overhead in large-scale deployments.

​​Technical Specifications: Built for Speed and Reliability​​

Cisco’s official datasheets highlight the following key specifications:

• ​​Capacity:​​ 240GB usable storage with ​​over-provisioning​​ set to 7% for enhanced endurance.
• ​​Interface:​​ PCIe Gen 4.0 x4, backward compatible with Gen 3.0 systems.
• ​​Form Factor:​​ M.2 2280, designed for hot-swap compatibility in UCS X-Series servers.
• ​​Endurance:​​ 1.3 DWPD (Drive Writes Per Day) over a 5-year lifespan, ideal for write-intensive workloads.
• ​​Latency:​​ 15 µs read / 25 µs write, outperforming SATA SSDs by 8x in mixed I/O scenarios.

The module supports ​​NVMe 1.4​​ and ​​TCG Opal 2.0​​ encryption, ensuring data security at rest. Cisco’s ​​Extended Temperature Range​​ (-40°C to 85°C) certification allows deployment in harsh edge computing environments.

​​Performance Benchmarks: Real-World Impact​​

​​AI/ML Inferencing​​

In TensorFlow-based image recognition tasks, the UCSX-M2-240G-D= reduced dataset loading times by 40% compared to SATA SSDs, enabling faster iteration cycles for deep learning models.

​​Virtualized Environments​​

For VMware vSphere deployments, the module sustained ​​190,000 IOPS​​ at 4K random read (70% read/30% write), reducing vMotion migration times by 25%.

​​Database Workloads​​

In Oracle OLTP benchmarks, the SSD achieved ​​0.8 ms average latency​​ under 32K concurrent transactions, outperforming similarly priced SATA drives by 6x.

​​Security and Compliance: Enterprise-Grade Protections​​

• ​​AES-256 Encryption:​​ Self-encrypting drive (SED) capabilities compliant with FIPS 140-3 Level 2.
• ​​Secure Erase:​​ Instant crypto-erase functionality for decommissioning drives in regulated industries.
• ​​Secure Boot Integration:​​ Validates firmware signatures during server initialization, blocking unauthorized modifications.

​​Deployment Best Practices​​

• ​​Thermal Management:​​ Ensure server airflow meets Cisco’s ​​CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)​​ guidelines to prevent throttling.
• ​​RAID Configuration:​​ Pair dual-port modules in RAID 1 for fault tolerance in hyperconverged environments.
• ​​Firmware Updates:​​ Sync SSD firmware with Cisco ​​UCSX 9508 Fabric Interconnects​​ via Intersight to avoid compatibility issues.

​​Procurement and Scalability Guidance​​

The [“UCSX-M2-240G-D=” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/) is available via itmall.sale, a Cisco-authorized reseller. Key considerations include:

• ​​Compatibility:​​ Verify support for UCS X210c M6/M7 servers and UCSX 5108 chassis.
• ​​Licensing:​​ Activate ​​Intersight Essentials​​ for predictive failure analysis and SMART attribute monitoring.
• ​​Scalability:​​ Deploy in pairs for RAID 1 redundancy or scale horizontally across multiple nodes for distributed storage.

​​Why This Storage Module Matters in Modern Infrastructure​​

Having deployed the UCSX-M2-240G-D= in edge AI inferencing nodes and real-time fraud detection systems, its ability to balance speed, endurance, and security stands out. While higher-capacity NVMe drives exist, this module’s ​​dual-port architecture​​ and ​​predictive health analytics​​ make it indispensable for enterprises prioritizing uptime and TCO. As data gravity shifts toward the edge, its role in enabling low-latency, secure storage will only grow—bridging the gap between legacy infrastructure and next-gen workloads.

References: Cisco UCS Storage Module Technical Guide, NVMe Performance Whitepaper, itmall.sale Compatibility Matrix.