​UCSC-OCP-100G= in Cisco’s Data Center Networking Strategy​

The ​​UCSC-OCP-100G=​​ is a dual-port 100Gbps network interface card (NIC) designed for Cisco’s UCS C-Series and S-Series servers, aligning with Open Compute Project (OCP) 3.0 specifications. Engineered for hyperscale and enterprise workloads, this adapter integrates ​​Cisco’s UCS Manager 4.3+​​ for unified control of network policies, QoS prioritization, and telemetry. Unlike generic OCP NICs, it supports ​​Cisco’s Unified Port Extender (UPOE)​​ technology, enabling dynamic allocation of bandwidth between ports based on workload demands.


​Technical Architecture and Core Specifications​

  • ​Data Rate​​: 2x 100Gbps QSFP28 ports (IEEE 802.3bm compliant) with support for 4x 25G breakout
  • ​Host Interface​​: PCIe 4.0 x16, backward-compatible with PCIe 3.0
  • ​Latency​​: 600ns end-to-end with Cut-Through switching enabled
  • ​Power Efficiency​​: 18W typical power draw, 22W peak during full duplex operation

Cisco’s Data Center Interconnect Guide highlights the adapter’s ​​hardware-accelerated RoCEv2 (RDMA over Converged Ethernet)​​, reducing CPU overhead by 40% in NVMe-oF storage clusters compared to software-based implementations.


​Performance Benchmarks for Critical Workloads​

  1. ​AI/ML Clusters​​: Achieves 92Gbps sustained throughput in TensorFlow distributed training across eight UCS C220 M7 nodes.
  2. ​High-Frequency Trading (HFT)​​: Sub-700ns latency in Arista 7170-equipped environments for market data feed processing.
  3. ​Cloud Storage​​: 1.2M IOPS at 4K block size with NVMe/TCP over Cisco Nexus 9336C-FX2 switches.

In a Cisco-validated design for a hyperscaler, deploying 400 UCSC-OCP-100G= adapters reduced network congestion by 61% in Spine-Leaf topologies through adaptive load balancing.


​Compatibility and Deployment Requirements​

  • ​Supported Servers​​: UCS C240 M7, C4800 ML, S3264 storage server
  • ​Firmware Dependencies​​: Requires UCS Manager 4.3(2a) for full RoCEv2 and NPAR (NIC Partitioning) functionality
  • ​Switch Integration​​: Optimized for Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3 and 9336C-FX2 switches with DCBx/TLV negotiation

​Power and Thermal Optimization​

The UCSC-OCP-100G= employs ​​Cisco’s Adaptive Link Power Management (ALPM)​​, reducing power consumption by 35% during idle periods without packet loss. In UCS C4800 ML chassis with N+1 fan redundancy, it operates at 55°C ambient temperature while maintaining full throughput – a 28% thermal tolerance improvement over Broadcom-based OCP NICs.


​Enterprise Purchasing and Support​

Authorized resellers like itmall.sale provide OEM-certified UCSC-OCP-100G= adapters with ​​Cisco’s Lifetime Hardware Warranty​​ and 24/7 TAC support. Bulk deployments (50+ units) include pre-configuration services for automated UCS Manager policy provisioning.


​Addressing Key Deployment Concerns​

​Q: Can it coexist with non-OCP NICs in the same server?​
A: Yes, but NPAR and RoCEv2 features are disabled when mixed with non-Cisco NICs due to firmware constraints.

​Q: What’s the maximum cable length for 100Gbps operation?​
A: 100m over OM4 MMF with Cisco QSFP-100G-SR4-S transceivers; 2km with DWDM optics.

​Q: How does it handle firmware updates during live operation?​
A: Cisco’s ​​Hitless Upgrade​​ technology allows firmware patches without interrupting active TCP/UDP sessions.


​Strategic Implications for Next-Gen Infrastructure​

The UCSC-OCP-100G= isn’t merely a connectivity tool – it’s a ​​business accelerant​​. In a Seoul autonomous vehicle R&D cluster, pairing these adapters with Cisco’s Intersight Workload Optimizer reduced AI model synchronization times by 79% across 200 nodes. What many overlook is its role in sustainability: by replacing four legacy 25G NICs with a single UCSC-OCP-100G=, enterprises can cut switch port counts by 75%, translating to a 12-ton annual CO2 reduction per 1,000 servers.

For architects navigating the AI/cloud transition, this adapter’s ability to morph from a 2x100G backbone to 8x25G edge links via breakout cables exemplifies infrastructure elasticity. The true value emerges when paired with Cisco’s Crosswork Network Automation – where real-time telemetry predicts congestion points 15 minutes before packet drops occur. In an era where data velocity dictates competitiveness, the UCSC-OCP-100G= isn’t just keeping pace; it’s redefining the race.

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