Cisco C240 M5 2U Rack-mountable Server - 2 x Intel Xeon Silver 4110 2.10 GHz - 32 GB RAM - 12Gb/s SAS Controller

The Cisco C240 M5 is a high-density, 2U rack-mountable server designed to power data centers, virtualized workloads, and enterprise applications with robust reliability and scalable performance. As part of Cisco’s Unified Computing System (UCS) family, this server combines dual Intel Xeon Silver 4110 processors with ample memory capacity, flexible I/O options, and streamlined management to deliver a versatile platform for virtualization, databases, analytics, and mission-critical workloads. Built to fit dynamic data-center needs, the C240 M5 emphasizes efficiency, expandability, and ease of deployment, ensuring you can scale resources as your business grows while maintaining strong serviceability and security. Whether you’re consolidating applications, accelerating cloud-native workloads, or provisioning edge deployments, the C240 M5 is engineered to deliver consistent performance, reliability, and value.

• Powerful dual-processor performance: Featuring two Intel Xeon Silver 4110 processors at 2.10 GHz, this 2U server is crafted for multi-threaded workloads, virtualization, and dense compute tasks. The dual-socket design maximizes core counts and parallel processing, enabling efficient handling of concurrent VMs, databases, and analytics pipelines. With Intel’s scalable family foundation, you get improved turbo performance for burst workloads and solid steady-state throughput for long-running applications, all while maintaining energy efficiency and predictable thermal behavior in a compact 2U chassis.
• Massive memory capacity with fast DDR4 memory: The UCS C240 M5 provides 24 DIMM slots aligned to 2666 MT/s DDR4 memory, allowing you to scale from a modest baseline to a substantial memory footprint. In this configuration you’ll find 32 GB of RAM, with the potential to expand up to the allowed capacity points, delivering ample headroom for virtualization, in-memory databases, and large-scale in-memory analytics. The result is smoother VDI experiences, faster database caching, and improved response times under heavy workloads.
• Flexible I/O and expansion: Up to 6 PCIe 3.0 slots ensure you can add network adapters, storage controllers, accelerators, and other mezzanine cards to tailor the server to your environment. The 2U form factor balances density with upgrade headroom, enabling you to deploy high-performance storage controllers, NICs, and GPUs or FPGA accelerators as your workloads evolve. The combination of PCIe 3.0 bandwidth and Cisco’s UCS ecosystem provides a scalable, future-proof platform for diverse IT needs.
• Storage and reliability-ready architecture: The C240 M5 ships with a 12 Gb/s SAS controller, delivering fast data access for enterprise storage and expanding your options for SAS/SATA drive configurations in a 2U chassis. Built with enterprise-grade reliability, hot-swappable components, and Cisco’s robust management tooling, this server is designed to minimize downtime, simplify maintenance, and support mission-critical services with consistent performance.
• Ideal for virtualization, databases, and enterprise workloads: This server is purpose-built for virtualized environments, large-scale databases, and data-intensive applications. With dual processors, ample memory bandwidth, and flexible I/O, it’s well-suited for VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, SQL Server, Oracle, and other workloads that benefit from dense compute and scalable memory. The Cisco UCS integration streamlines provisioning, policy-based management, and operational efficiency, enabling faster deployment and simplified day-to-day administration.

Technical Details of Cisco C240 M5

• Processor: 2 x Intel Xeon Silver 4110, 2.10 GHz
• Memory: 32 GB RAM (example configuration) with 24 DIMM slots supporting DDR4 2666 MHz
• Memory scalability: Up to 128 GB or higher capacity points depending on installed DIMMs
• Memory type: DDR4 ECC registered (RDIMM) memory compatible with the Xeon Silver platform
• Storage controller: 12 Gb/s SAS Controller for enterprise storage connectivity
• Expansion: Up to 6 PCIe 3.0 slots for adapters, NICs, and accelerators
• Form factor: 2U rack-mountable chassis
• Server type: SFF (2.5" drive bays) capable configuration for flexible storage options
• Networking and I/O: PCIe-based expansion enables flexible network adapters and storage interfaces; integrated management via Cisco UCS ecosystem
• Environment and reliability: Enterprise-grade reliability, supported by Cisco’s management tools and hot-swappable components to minimize downtime

how to install Cisco C240 M5

Installing the Cisco C240 M5 is a straightforward process that follows standard enterprise server practices. Begin by preparing your 19-inch rack and ensuring you have adequate cooling, correct rack rails, and compatible power supplies. Remove the blanking panels from the chassis, mount the server in the rack using the supplied rails, and secure it firmly to prevent vibration or movement. Connect redundant power cords to UPS or power distribution units to protect against power loss and ensure clean power delivery. Power on the system and enter the BIOS/UEFI to configure essential settings such as boot order, memory channel configurations, and processor virtualization features (Intel VT-x/VT-d). Install the desired operating system or hypervisor, update firmware and BIOS to the latest Cisco UCS version, and apply the appropriate firmware for the SAS controller and PCIe devices. Following Cisco’s best practices for server hardening, enable appropriate security features, configure management interfaces for UCS Manager or other centralized management tools, and create a baseline policy for automated deployment. Once the OS is installed, attach storage and network interfaces, configure RAID or storage pools as needed, and begin provisioning virtual machines or containers. Regular firmware updates, monitoring, and inventory management through the UCS ecosystem help maintain performance and reliability over time.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the Cisco C240 M5 best used for? It is a versatile 2U, dual-processor server designed for virtualization, large-scale databases, analytics, and enterprise workloads. Its flexible memory, PCIe expansion, and Cisco UCS integration make it ideal for data-center consolidation, private clouds, and edge deployments where density and reliability matter most.
• How much memory can the C240 M5 support? The configuration shown uses 32 GB RAM with 24 DIMM slots supporting DDR4 2666 MHz. Depending on DIMM types (RDIMM/ECC) and capacity per DIMM, the system can scale to higher total memory, with a maximum capacity determined by the installed modules and Cisco’s official memory guidelines.
• What kind of storage controller is included? The server includes a 12 Gb/s SAS controller, enabling efficient data transfer for SAS storage devices and compatible drives. This controller supports enterprise-grade storage configurations suitable for virtualization, databases, and I/O-intensive workloads.
• How many PCIe slots are available, and what can they be used for? Up to 6 PCIe 3.0 slots are available, offering expansion for network adapters, storage controllers, accelerators (GPU/FPGA), and other I/O devices. This makes it straightforward to tailor the system to specific workloads, such as NIC bonding for virtualization or accelerated storage interfaces.
• Is the Cisco C240 M5 part of the UCS ecosystem? Yes. It integrates with Cisco UCS Manager and related management tools, enabling policy-based provisioning, streamlined firmware updates, and centralized hardware management. This simplifies operational workflows, improves scalability, and supports consistent performance across multiple servers in a data center.