Cisco SKY-1-EAR-LT= Technical Deep Dive: Ente
Core Architecture and Functional Overview T...
Technical Profile of the HCI-P-ID10GC-M6=
The HCI-P-ID10GC-M6= is a dual-port 10GbE RJ45 PCIe network interface card (NIC) designed for Cisco HyperFlex hyper-converged infrastructure systems, as confirmed by pricing datasheets from authorized suppliers. Based on Intel’s X710-T2L controller architecture, this NIC provides hardware-accelerated virtualization support for VMware vSphere and Microsoft Hyper-V environments. Key specifications include:
- Port Configuration: 2x 10GBase-T interfaces with Auto Negotiation for 1/2.5/5/10 Gbps compatibility
- PCIe Interface: Gen3 x8 slot requirement, backward-compatible with x16 slots
- Power Consumption: 12W peak under full load, 8.5W idle
- Virtualization Support: SR-IOV, VMDq, and VMQ technologies for <100μs latency in virtualized workloads
HyperFlex-Specific Performance Enhancements
Bandwidth Optimization for Hybrid Workloads
The HCI-P-ID10GC-M6= integrates with Cisco’s HyperFlex Data Platform to prioritize storage (vSAN) and compute traffic dynamically:
- QoS Tagging: Assigns DSCP Class Selector 6 to NVMe/TCP storage traffic, ensuring 99.9% packet prioritization during congestion
- Jumbo Frames: Supports 9K MTU for large data transfers in backup/restore operations
- TCP Chimney Offload: Reduces CPU utilization by 30% for VMware vMotion migrations
Compatibility with Cisco HCI Ecosystem
Designed for Cisco UCS C-Series servers and HyperFlex HX220c nodes, this NIC supports:
- Cisco VIC 1400/1500 Adapters: Enables RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE) when paired with 25/100G uplinks
- Intersight Management: Automates firmware updates through Cisco’s cloud-based management platform
- HyperFlex Edge Clusters: Validated for 3-node deployments with mixed 1G/10G network architectures
Addressing Critical User Concerns
“Is it compatible with non-HyperFlex UCS deployments?”
Yes, but with limitations. While the NIC functions in standard UCS C240 M5/M6 servers, HyperFlex-specific optimizations like NVMe-oF flow steering require:
- HyperFlex HX Data Platform 4.5+
- UCS Manager 4.2(3a) for policy-based traffic shaping
“How does it compare to HCI-P-ID25GF-M6= (25GbE variant)?”
| Metric | HCI-P-ID10GC-M6= | HCI-P-ID25GF-M6= |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 10GbE | 25GbE |
| Latency (vMotion) | 85μs | 42μs |
| Max vSAN Clusters/Node | 8 | 16 |
| Power Draw | 12W | 18W |
| Typical Use Case | Edge HCI | Core Datacenter |
“What cooling requirements apply?”
- Passive Heatsink: Requires 200 LFM airflow in HyperFlex HX220c nodes
- Thermal Throttling: Activates at 85°C, reducing throughput by 50%
Procurement and Deployment Guidance
For guaranteed compatibility with HyperFlex clusters, HCI-P-ID10GC-M6= is available through certified channels like itmall.sale. Ensure suppliers provide:
- Cisco Smart Net Total Care eligibility for TAC support
- HyperFlex Sizing Tool Validation Reports matching your workload profile
Final Perspective
The HCI-P-ID10GC-M6= exemplifies Cisco’s focus on cost-effective edge HCI deployments where 10GbE remains prevalent. While 25GbE/100GbE adoption grows in core datacenters, this NIC’s backward compatibility with 1G/2.5G switches makes it ideal for retail branch offices and manufacturing sites transitioning to HCI. However, enterprises should validate thermal designs rigorously – improper airflow in compact HyperFlex Edge nodes often leads to unexpected throttling during peak workloads. Always cross-reference the NIC’s throughput capabilities with your storage replication requirements; underestimating East-West traffic in 3-node clusters frequently results in vSAN performance degradation.