Tag Archives: UCS

Can You Run GPUs on Blade Servers?

In the past, a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) was equated to a workload that was designing something, like building automobiles.  However, over the past few years, organizations have realized that GPUs have more value than utilization in Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Learning (ML).  In fact, a large majority of recent GPU adoption revolved around utilization of GPUs with Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI).   As we look at a “modular infrastructure” (aka blade server) environments, having multiple servers within a small footprint is ideal for VDI.  In today’s blog post, I’m going to review what each blade server vendor offers for GPU options. Continue reading →

It’s About Time Cisco – A Look At the Cisco UCS X9508 and UCS x210c M6

Well, it’s about fracken time, Cisco!  Today Cisco finally announced information about their next generation UCS chassis.  Here’s what you’re going to want to know. Continue reading →

Comparison of Ice Lake Based Blade Servers

(Updated 4.8.2021) Intel released the embargo on April 6, 2021 lifting the covers to the 3rd Generation Xeon Scalable Processor.  As expected, blade server vendors are starting to release details of their offerings based on this new CPU announcement.  Below is an updated chart to help guide you to the best blade server for your project.  This version includes Intel DC Persistent Memory (Optane).

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Cisco Next Gen UCS Rumors

As we enter the next decade, rumors of Cisco’s next generation UCS are surfacing.  Whether or not they are true, there is no doubt that the original generation of Cisco’s blade server design is long overdue for a major overhaul – and we may see the replacement this year.  So let’s take a look at what’s being said in the gossip mill. Continue reading →

GPU Options for Today’s Blade Servers

In the past, a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) was equated to a workload that was designing something, like building automobiles.  However, over the past two or three years, organizations have realized that GPUs have more value than utilization in Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Learning (ML).  In fact, a large majority of GPU adoption revolves around utilization of GPUs with Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI).  Organizations have realized that VDI running Windows 10 can benefit from GPUs, so GPUs are now becoming a requirement for VDI.  As we look at a “modular infrastructure” (aka blade server) environment, having multiple servers within a small footprint is ideal for VDI.  Therefore, in today’s blog post, I’m going to review what each blade server vendor offers for GPU options. Continue reading →

Blade Server Comparison – August 2019

Below is an updated chart to help guide you to the best blade server for your project.  This version includes Intel DC Persistent Memory (Optane).

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Overview of the Cisco UCS 6454 Fabric Interconnect

Earlier this year Cisco announced and has begun shipping the Cisco UCS 6454 Fabric Interconnect (FI).  The Cisco UCS 6454 offers line-rate, low-latency, lossless 10/25/40/100 Gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), and Fibre Channel functions.  In this blog post I provide an overview of what you can expect in this fourth generation FI and provide some things you need to be aware of before migrating. Continue reading →