​Defining the CBL-SAS-Y-C220M7= SAS Y-Cable​

The ​​CBL-SAS-Y-C220M7=​​ is a Cisco-certified ​​dual-port SAS Y-cable​​ engineered specifically for the ​​Cisco UCS C220 M7 rack server​​. Designed to connect the server’s internal SAS/SATA controller to external JBOD (Just a Bunch of Disks) enclosures or tape libraries, this cable enables high-density storage expansions without sacrificing performance. Cisco.com specifies its use in configurations requiring ​​12Gbps SAS connectivity​​, ensuring compatibility with both HDD and SSD arrays for mixed workloads.


​Technical Advantages Over Generic SAS Cables​

​Q: Why not use a standard SAS cable?​
The CBL-SAS-Y-C220M7= addresses critical gaps in third-party alternatives:

  • ​Dual-path redundancy​​: Two independent SAS channels prevent single points of failure in storage fabrics.
  • ​Signal integrity​​: Shielded design minimizes electromagnetic interference (EMI) in dense rack environments.
  • ​UCS Manager integration​​: Prevents firmware mismatches that trigger “unsupported cable” alerts in Cisco UCS Director.

Key specifications:

  • ​12Gbps per port​​: Supports full bandwidth for SAS3 devices like the Cisco UCS 12G SAS Modular HBA.
  • ​1-meter length​​: Optimized for top-of-rack (ToR) or adjacent-rack deployments.
  • ​SFF-8644 to SFF-8644 connectors​​: Ensures secure, tool-less attachment to Cisco-certified storage enclosures.

​Critical Use Cases for the CBL-SAS-Y-C220M7=​

  • ​Hyperconverged Storage Expansions​​: Connect UCS C220 M7 servers to Cisco UCS 12G SAS Expansion Modules for scalable capacity.
  • ​Backup and Archiving​​: Link to tape libraries like the Cisco UCS 12G SAS Tape Drive for data tiering.
  • ​High-Performance Databases​​: Direct-attach NVMe/SSD arrays to reduce latency for OLTP workloads.

For example, a media company streaming 4K content used this cable to attach ​​48TB SAS JBODs​​ to UCS C220 M7 servers, achieving consistent 1.2GB/s throughput during peak ingestions.


​Procurement Insights: Avoiding Compatibility Pitfalls​

Genuine cables are essential for maintaining Cisco TAC support. While Cisco.com lists compatibility guidelines, [​​“CBL-SAS-Y-C220M7=” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/)​​ offers verified units with bulk pricing and same-day shipping.

Key considerations:

  • ​Enclosure compatibility​​: Confirm JBODs support SAS3 (12Gbps) before deployment.
  • ​Cable management​​: Use strain relief brackets in high-vibration environments.
  • ​Future-proofing​​: These cables are forward-compatible with SAS4 (24Gbps) using auto-negotiation.

​A Costly Lesson in “Compatible” Cables​

During a data center audit, I discovered a client using non-Cisco SAS cables for their UCS C220 M7 backup clusters. Intermittent CRC errors caused nightly backup failures, delaying a critical migration. Replacing them with ​​CBL-SAS-Y-C220M7=​​ cables resolved the issue instantly. In enterprise storage, every link matters—certified cables aren’t just about speed, but predictability. Skip them, and you’re not saving money—you’re subsidizing chaos.

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