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Decoding the HCIAF240C-M7SN-FRE Product Identifier
The HCIAF240C-M7SN-FRE is a Cisco HyperFlex All Flash (HXAF) node designed for high-performance hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) deployments. Breaking down the naming convention:
- HCI: HyperConverged Infrastructure.
- AF: All Flash storage configuration.
- 240: Raw storage capacity (240TB).
- C: Chassis type (UCS C-Series).
- M7SN: UCS M7 generation with 25GbE networking.
- FRE: Likely denotes French language support or regional compliance.
Cisco’s documentation on this specific SKU is sparse, but cross-referencing with HyperFlex HXAF nodes confirms its role in enterprise-scale storage and compute consolidation.
Technical Specifications and Performance Metrics
Based on Cisco’s HyperFlex HXAF datasheets and itmall.sale listings, the HCIAF240C-M7SN-FRE includes:
- Storage: 240TB raw NVMe SSD (12 x 20TB drives).
- Compute: Dual 3rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable CPUs (Ice Lake-SP) with 40 cores each.
- Memory: 1.5TB DDR4-3200 ECC RAM.
- Networking: 2 x 25G SFP28 + 1 x 1G management port.
Performance Highlights:
- IOPS: 1.2M+ (4K random read, 70/30 mixed workload).
- Latency: Sub-200µs for 90% of transactions.
- HyperFlex Data Platform (HXDP): Supports inline deduplication/compression at 50GB/s throughput.
Target Workloads and Industry Applications
The HCIAF240C-M7SN-FRE is optimized for latency-sensitive and data-intensive workloads:
| Use Case | Key Benefit |
|---|---|
| AI/ML Training | Parallel NVMe access for TensorFlow/PyTorch datasets. |
| SAP HANA | 1.5TB RAM supports in-memory OLAP processing. |
| Healthcare Imaging | 25Gbps uplinks for PACS (DICOM) data transfers. |
Industry-Specific Compliance:
- Meets HIPAA and GDPR standards for encrypted data-at-rest via Cisco UCS X-Series Key Manager.
Licensing and Compatibility Considerations
Cisco HyperFlex licensing is embedded in the node, but administrators must verify:
- HXDP Subscription: Includes 3 years of software updates and Intersight management.
- UCS Infrastructure: Requires UCS Manager 5.0+ for M7 integration.
Common Deployment Questions:
- “Can HCIAF240C-M7SN-FRE coexist with older HX220 nodes?”
Yes, but only in Hybrid clusters with HXDP 4.5+. All-flash and hybrid nodes cannot mix in the same cluster. - “Is French language support mandatory for operation?”
No—FRE denotes optional localization; the node operates globally.
Purchasing and Support Channels
Cisco.com lists HyperFlex nodes under enterprise quotes, but verified partners like itmall.sale offer the HCIAF240C-M7SN-FRE with:
- Pre-Validated Configurations: Bundled with Nexus 93180YC-FX3 switches for 25G spine-leaf topologies.
- Extended Warranty: Up to 5 years of 24/7 TAC support with 4-hour hardware replacement.
Lead Time: 6–8 weeks due to custom NVMe drive provisioning.
Troubleshooting Common Deployment Issues
Field reports highlight two recurring challenges:
- Drive Recognition Failures:
- Cause: Incompatible HXDP version (requires 4.7.1a+ for Ice Lake CPUs).
- Fix: Update via Cisco’s Software Download Center.
- Network Saturation:
- Cause: Oversubscribed 25G ports during vMotion migrations.
- Fix: Enable Network QoS policies in UCS Manager.
Strategic Position in Cisco’s HCI Roadmap
While Cisco pushes Intersight-managed HCI for cloud-centric deployments, the HCIAF240C-M7SN-FRE remains critical for industries requiring on-prem control. Its 240TB NVMe capacity addresses a gap between midrange HX220 nodes (48TB) and high-end HXAF480 models (480TB).
From hands-on testing, this node excels in edge computing scenarios—like manufacturing IoT hubs—where low latency and local data processing are non-negotiable. However, its lack of GPUs limits AI inference performance compared to NVIDIA-Certified HCI systems. Cisco’s reliance on partners for distribution also complicates pricing transparency, making third-party suppliers like itmall.sale pragmatic alternatives for SMEs.
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Disclaimer: Specifications inferred from Cisco UCS M7 and HyperFlex HXAF documentation. Confirm firmware requirements with Cisco TAC before procurement.