Cisco UCS 6248UP Fibre Channel Switch

Elevate your storage area network with the Cisco UCS 6248UP Fibre Channel Switch, a high-performance 32-port FC solution engineered for Dell, EMC, and Cisco UCS environments alike. Built to meet the demands of modern data centers, this 1U, rack-mountable switch delivers deterministic, low-latency storage connectivity across a dense fabric, empowering virtualization, big data analytics, and mission-critical databases. Each Fibre Channel port runs at 10 Gbit/s, providing ample headroom for today’s bandwidth-hungry workloads while preserving dependable throughput for peak operations. The 6248UP is designed for seamless integration with Cisco UCS Manager, enabling centralized fabric provisioning, policy-driven management, and streamlined day-to-day administration. With an in-built RJ-45 management port, administrators gain convenient out-of-band access for configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting, reducing downtime and simplifying maintenance. If you’re consolidating SAN resources, expanding your storage footprint, or building a scalable, resilient fabric, the Cisco UCS 6248UP Fibre Channel Switch combines performance, manageability, and a compact footprint to optimize your data center infrastructure.

• High-performance 32-port Fibre Channel switch delivering 10 Gbit/s per port, enabling fast, predictable storage access for databases, virtualization, backups, and large-scale SANs within Cisco UCS environments.
• Compact 1U, rack-mountable form factor designed to fit standard 19-inch racks in densely populated data centers without sacrificing port density or bandwidth.
• Comprehensive manageability with integration to Cisco UCS Manager, plus an accessible 1 x RJ-45 management port for out-of-band configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting to simplify operations.
• Scalable, enterprise-grade fabric capable of supporting evolving storage architectures, with low latency and deterministic performance that keeps critical workloads responsive and consistent.
• Seamless compatibility and integration with a wide range of storage arrays and networks, enabling a unified Cisco storage networking strategy across the data center and Cisco UCS ecosystems.

Technical Details of Cisco UCS 6248UP Fibre Channel Switch

• Fibre Channel ports: 32 ports, providing ample connectivity to backend storage and SAN fabrics.
• Port speed: 10 Gbit/s per Fibre Channel port for high-throughput, low-latency storage access.
• Management port: 1 x RJ-45 for out-of-band management and initial configuration.
• Ethernet capability: 10 Gigabit Ethernet support as part of the switch’s management and uplink capabilities.
• Form factor: 1U rack-mountable chassis designed for standard 19-inch racks and easy integration into existing data-center racks.
• Manageability: Fully manageable within Cisco UCS Manager environments, with standard CLI/GUI access for provisioning, monitoring, and policy enforcement.

How to install Cisco UCS 6248UP Fibre Channel Switch

Begin by planning your SAN topology in alignment with your Cisco UCS deployment and storage requirements. Verify compatibility with your UCS domain and storage arrays, then prepare a 19-inch rack space in a well-ventilated area to ensure optimal airflow. Install the Cisco UCS 6248UP in the rack and secure it with appropriate rails or mounting hardware. Connect the 32 Fibre Channel ports to your storage fabric using the appropriate fibre optic cables or copper transceivers that match your storage arrays and fabric design. Connect the 1 x RJ-45 management port to your out-of-band management network or to a dedicated management VLAN, ensuring proper IP addressing and access control. Power on the switch and begin initial configuration through the management interface, typically via the RJ-45 port, or through Cisco UCS Manager if integrated in your environment. Update the firmware to the latest stable release from Cisco’s repository to ensure compatibility and security. Configure the SAN fabric according to your zoning, fabric provisioning, and performance requirements, including any necessary VSAN or zoning policies. Validate connectivity to all connected storage arrays, run baseline throughput and latency tests, and implement monitoring and alerting to maintain optimal fabric health. Finally, document the configuration for future maintenance and establish a routine for firmware updates and periodic health checks to protect your investment.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the Cisco UCS 6248UP Fibre Channel Switch?

  A: It is a 32-port Fibre Channel switch designed for SAN fabrics within Cisco UCS environments, delivering high-speed 10 Gbit/s connectivity in a compact 1U form factor.

• Q: How many Fibre Channel ports does it have?

  A: The switch provides 32 Fibre Channel ports, optimized for scalable storage networking in enterprise data centers.

• Q: What is the port speed?

  A: Each Fibre Channel port operates at 10 Gbit/s, offering strong throughput for demanding storage workloads with low latency.

• Q: Does it include a management port?

  A: Yes, it includes 1 x RJ-45 management port for out-of-band configuration, management, and troubleshooting.

• Q: Is it suitable for rack mounting?

  A: Absolutely. The switch is designed in a 1U form factor that fits standard 19-inch racks, making it ideal for dense data-center deployments.