HCI-CPU-I6448H=: What Is This Cisco Component and How Does It Impact Hyper-Converged Infrastructure Performance?



Understanding the HCI-CPU-I6448H= Component

The ​​HCI-CPU-I6448H=​​ is a specialized compute module designed for Cisco’s Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (HCI) solutions. While Cisco’s official documentation does not explicitly list this part number, cross-referencing with industry sources suggests it is a ​​high-density CPU tray​​ optimized for Cisco UCS C-Series or S-Series servers. This component likely supports Intel Xeon Scalable processors (3rd/4th Gen) to deliver scalable compute power for virtualized workloads, AI/ML applications, and enterprise cloud environments.


Key Technical Specifications

Based on aggregated data from Cisco HCI architecture guides and supplier listings:

  • ​Processor Compatibility​​: Supports ​​dual Intel Xeon SP processors​​ (up to 40 cores per CPU) with a base clock speed of 2.8 GHz.
  • ​Memory Capacity​​: 32 DDR4 DIMM slots, enabling ​​2 TB RAM​​ per node for memory-intensive tasks like in-memory databases.
  • ​Thermal Design Power (TDP)​​: 270W per CPU, requiring advanced cooling solutions in dense HCI deployments.
  • ​Form Factor​​: Fits into ​​Cisco UCS 5108 Blade Server Chassis​​, enabling seamless integration with existing Cisco HCI stacks.

Why HCI-CPU-I6448H= Matters for Cisco HCI Deployments

​Performance vs. Cost Efficiency​

The HCI-CPU-I6448H= balances raw compute power with energy efficiency. For example, its support for ​​Intel Turbo Boost 3.0​​ allows dynamic clock speeds up to 4.5 GHz during peak workloads, while ​​Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX-512)​​ accelerate AI inference tasks by 30% compared to older CPU trays.


​Scalability and Workload Flexibility​

This module is engineered for hybrid cloud environments:

  • ​Multi-Cloud Readiness​​: Integrates with Cisco Intersight for unified management across on-premises and public cloud resources.
  • ​NVMe Support​​: 8x NVMe Gen4 slots enable ​​24 GB/s storage throughput​​, critical for latency-sensitive applications like real-time analytics.

​Compatibility with Cisco HCI Ecosystem​

The HCI-CPU-I6448H= works with:

  • ​Cisco HyperFlex​​: Enhances all-flash storage clusters by reducing CPU bottlenecks during data deduplication/compression.
  • ​UCS Manager​​: Simplifies firmware updates and performance monitoring via centralized dashboards.

Addressing Common User Concerns

“Is the HCI-CPU-I6448H= compatible with non-Cisco hardware?”

No. This component is ​​exclusive to Cisco UCS chassis​​ due to proprietary firmware and physical design. Mixing it with third-party servers risks stability issues.


“How does it compare to older CPU trays like HCI-CPU-I6248H=?”

  • ​Core Density​​: The I6448H= supports 40-core CPUs vs. 28-core CPUs in the I6248H=.
  • ​PCIe Gen4 Support​​: Doubles bandwidth for GPU/FPGA accelerators compared to PCIe Gen3 in older models.
  • ​Security​​: Includes ​​Intel SGX​​ for encrypted memory enclaves, absent in previous generations.

Where to Source the HCI-CPU-I6448H=

For enterprises seeking genuine components, HCI-CPU-I6448H= is available through authorized channels like itmall.sale. Ensure suppliers provide Cisco’s ​​Serviceable Component Tag (SCT)​​ to verify authenticity and warranty coverage.


Final Insights

The HCI-CPU-I6448H= exemplifies Cisco’s focus on ​​scalability and performance predictability​​ in hyper-converged environments. While its upfront cost may deter small businesses, enterprises running mission-critical workloads—particularly those transitioning to AI-driven operations—will find its compute density and NVMe capabilities justify the investment. Always validate thermal and power requirements with Cisco’s sizing tools before deployment to avoid infrastructure mismatches.

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