The Cisco UCS 5108 6U Enclosure houses the B-Series server blades, supporting up to 8 half-width or 4 full-width blades. Each blade is equipped with interconnect speeds of 2 x 40Gb for half-width nodes and 4 x 40Gb for full-width nodes. These blades connect directly to the two Fabric Extenders (FEX) or two Fabric Interconnects located at the rear of the Cisco 5108 Enclosure, ensuring high-performance network connectivity.

The Cisco UCS 5108 chassis offers various options and configurations for its Fabric Interconnects and Fabric Extenders, providing flexibility in how the system is set up. Each server node can be equipped with different types of adapters, which connect to the fabric for network communication. However, it's important to note that while you can mix different server nodes in the front of the 5108 chassis, you cannot mix different types of fabrics. This ensures consistency in connectivity and performance across all nodes. If you're unsure about the optimal node configurations or need assistance with understanding the setup options for this chassis, our team is ready to help. Contact us today!

The Fabric Extender (FEX) is used in the Cisco UCS 5108 when the network already has Fabric Interconnects (FIs) deployed in the rack. In this scenario, the FEX serves as a bridge between the server blades in the chassis and the existing FIs. Instead of adding additional FIs inside the 5108, the FEX allows the chassis to connect to the pre-existing FIs, reducing the need for extra devices and simplifying the network design. This setup maintains network consistency and scalability while avoiding the complexity of additional cabling and hardware, ensuring the system remains efficient and easy to manage.

• Cisco UCS 2408 IOM (FEX)
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• Cisco UCS 2204XP (FEX)
• Cisco UCS 2208XP (FEX)

The Fabric Interconnect (FI) in the Cisco UCS 5108 provides a flexible and scalable solution by being integrated directly into the chassis, which eliminates the need for external FIs in the rack. This configuration simplifies the network architecture and reduces the overall footprint, as the interconnects are housed inside the 5108 chassis. This setup is ideal for environments where space is limited or where a more compact design is desired. By integrating the FIs inside the chassis, the system offers easier management, centralized control, and a more streamlined cabling design. This flexibility allows organizations to scale their infrastructure without the complexity of additional rack-mounted devices, making it a cost-effective and efficient solution.

• Cisco UCS 6324 Fabric Interconnect (FI)