Introduction to HCI-MRX16G1RE3=

The ​​HCI-MRX16G1RE3=​​ is a high-capacity memory expansion module designed for Cisco’s HyperFlex HX-Series nodes, specifically optimized for memory-intensive workloads like in-memory databases, AI training, and large-scale virtualization. This component addresses the growing demand for low-latency data access in hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) environments, as documented in Cisco’s “HyperFlex 5.5 Memory Optimization Guide” (2024).

Technical Specifications and Design Innovations

The module integrates ​​16 DDR5-5600 RDIMMs​​ with Cisco’s proprietary memory buffering technology to deliver:

• ​​2 TB of total memory per node​​ (128 GB per DIMM, 16 slots)
• ​​8-channel memory architecture​​ with a 1:2 sub-channel ratio for 25% higher bandwidth utilization
• ​​Cisco FlexMemory​​ technology, enabling dynamic allocation of RAM pools to virtual machines (VMs) without hypervisor overhead
• ​​Hot-swappable trays​​ for DIMM replacement during runtime (validated in Cisco’s UCS C4800 M7 servers)

Compatibility and Workload Optimization

Supported Platforms

• ​​HyperFlex HX240c M7 Nodes​​: Certified for SAP HANA TDI (Tailored Datacenter Integration) deployments
• ​​Cisco UCS C4800 M7 Rack Servers​​: Requires BIOS version 4.1.3c or later

Target Applications

• ​​In-Memory Analytics​​: Reduces Redis query latency by 33% compared to DDR4-3200 configurations (Cisco benchmarks, 2023)
• ​​AI Model Training​​: Supports 1.5 TB+ dataset caching per node for TensorFlow/PyTorch workloads
• ​​VDI Hosting​​: Scales to 1,200+ persistent virtual desktops per HyperFlex cluster node

Deployment Strategies and Performance Benchmarks

Case 1: Financial Trading Platform

A Tier-1 bank deployed HyperFlex with HCI-MRX16G1RE3= modules to process real-time market data. ​​FlexMemory​​ reduced garbage collection pauses in Java-based trading algorithms by 40%, achieving 12-microsecond transaction latency.

Case 2: Genomics Research

A biotech firm used this module to cache 900 GB genomic sequences per node, accelerating CRISPR analysis by 4x. The ​​DDR5-5600​​ bandwidth (89.6 GB/s) eliminated NVMe read bottlenecks during parallel BAM file processing.

Cost, Reliability, and Procurement Considerations

• ​​Power Efficiency​​: Operates at 1.1V vs. standard DDR5’s 1.25V, cutting memory subsystem power draw by 18% (Cisco TCO report, Q1 2024).
• ​​Error Correction​​: ​​Cisco Adaptive Double Device Data Correction (ADDDC)​​ detects and corrects multi-bit errors in 3 nanoseconds.
• ​​Availability​​: Orderable exclusively through itmall.sale with 4–6 week lead times for configurations exceeding 8 modules.

Addressing Critical User Queries

Q: Can existing HyperFlex M6 nodes support HCI-MRX16G1RE3=?

A: No. This module requires the ​​C4800 M7​​ chassis with ​​Cisco UCS VIC 15422​​ mLOM adapters due to DDR5 voltage regulation differences.

Q: How does it compare to HCI-CPU-I8461V= for SAP HANA workloads?

A: While the CPU module prioritizes core density, the MRX16G1RE3= focuses on memory bandwidth—critical for HANA’s columnar storage. A balanced deployment uses both.

Q: Is ECC support mandatory?

A: Yes. Cisco’s ADDDC implementation requires ECC-enabled DDR5 DIMMs to meet enterprise RAS standards.

Final Observations

The HCI-MRX16G1RE3= demonstrates Cisco’s commitment to redefining memory scalability in HCI ecosystems. Its ability to handle 2 TB of low-latency RAM per node makes it indispensable for organizations pushing the limits of in-memory computing. However, the dependency on Cisco’s proprietary buffering architecture creates vendor lock-in—a trade-off that enterprises must weigh against the 30–40% performance gains over generic DDR5 solutions. For teams managing petabyte-scale datasets, this module transforms HyperFlex from a conventional HCI platform into a legitimate alternative to bare-metal in-memory appliances.

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