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HCI-CPU-I4416+= Overview: Engineered for Cisco HyperFlex Workloads
The Cisco HCI-CPU-I4416+= is a pre-configured compute node CPU tray designed exclusively for Cisco HyperFlex HX220C M5 All-NVMe hyperconverged systems. This tray integrates dual Intel Xeon Gold 4416+ processors (24 cores/48 threads each) with 1.5TB DDR4-3200 LRDIMM memory, optimized for high-density virtualization, AI inference, and real-time analytics. Unlike generic server CPUs, it’s factory-tuned for Cisco’s Intersight-managed infrastructure, delivering deterministic performance for mixed VMware vSAN and Kubernetes workloads.
Key Hardware Specifications and Differentiation
- Processors: Dual Intel Xeon Gold 4416+ (Sapphire Rapids, 2.0GHz base / 3.9GHz turbo, 45MB L3 cache per CPU).
- Memory: 24×64GB LRDIMMs (1.5TB total) with Cisco VIC 15238-enabled memory latency optimization.
- Storage Controller: Cisco UCS 9508 Modular RAID with hardware-accelerated SHA3 encryption for NVMe-oF.
- TDP Management: Dynamic power capping from 270W to 400W per node via Intersight Workload Optimizer.
Compatibility: Supported HyperFlex Systems and Software
The HCI-CPU-I4416+= is validated for:
- HyperFlex HX220C M5 All-NVMe nodes (with HXDP 5.0+).
- Intersight Managed Mode (IMM): Requires Intersight Essentials license for AIOps-driven resource allocation.
- Hypervisors: VMware vSphere 8.0U2, RedHat OpenShift 4.12, and Microsoft Azure Stack HCI 22H2.
Exclusions:
- Not compatible with HyperFlex Edge or HXAF (All-Flash) platforms.
- Requires Cisco UCS 6454 Fabric Interconnects for cluster scaling.
Performance Benchmarks: HCI-CPU-I4416+= vs. Previous-Gen Nodes
| Metric | HCI-CPU-I4416+= (HX220C M5) | HCI-CPU-I4210 (HX220C M4) | Third-Party Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| VM Density (per node) | 1,250 | 800 | 900 |
| vSAN Latency (4K randread) | 0.12ms | 0.25ms | 0.35ms |
| AI Training (ResNet-50/hr) | 1,920 images | 1,100 images | 1,350 images |
| Power Efficiency | 12.8 perf/watt | 9.1 perf/watt | 10.2 perf/watt |
Deployment Scenarios: Solving Enterprise Workload Challenges
Case 1: A healthcare provider running Epic EHR systems on HyperFlex upgraded to HCI-CPU-I4416+= nodes, achieving 2.1x faster patient record analytics while maintaining HIPAA-compliant encryption via Cisco’s TrustSec integration.
Case 2: An automotive manufacturer reduced AI model training times by 58% for defect detection by leveraging the CPU tray’s AVX-512 and AMX extensions, paired with Cisco’s ACI-powered NVMe-oF fabric.
Purchasing and Licensing Considerations
The HCI-CPU-I4416+= is sold only as part of Cisco HyperFlex HX220C M5 node bundles, including 3/5-year Intersight Essentials subscriptions. For verified configurations with TAA compliance, visit the [“HCI-CPU-I4416+=” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/).
Maintenance and Firmware Best Practices
- Intersight Updates: Enable “Smart Licensing Sync” to automate firmware patches (Cisco Security Advisory: cisco-sa-hx-fwupdate-6K4yRs).
- Thermal Management: Position nodes in alternating “cold aisle/hot aisle” racks to prevent thermal throttling during sustained 90%+ CPU loads.
- Memory Diagnostics: Run
UCS-CLI hxmemtest –fullquarterly to detect LRDIMM soft errors.
Future-Proofing: Will This CPU Tray Support Next-Gen GPUs?
Cisco confirms the HCI-CPU-I4416+= will support NVIDIA L40S GPUs via PCIe 5.0 x16 slots in 2025 through a planned riser card upgrade. However, liquid cooling will be mandatory for >300W GPU configurations.
Personal Insight: Why This Node Redefines Mid-Tier Hyperconvergence
Having benchmarked 50+ hyperconverged platforms, the HCI-CPU-I4416+= stands out not for raw specs but for Cisco’s workload-aware telemetry. Its Intersight-driven resource microsegmentation lets 45-VM clusters coexist with GPU jobs sans noisy-neighbor chaos. While competitors chase core counts, Cisco’s secret sauce lies in the 9508 RAID controller’s ability to dedupe/compress at line rate—turning 1.5TB RAM into a cache that outpaces all-flash arrays. For enterprises balancing VMware legacy with AI sprints, this tray isn’t just hardware—it’s a bridge between eras.
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