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Seek advice from a networking expert.

Seek advice from a networking expert.

H
Hencorp
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122
10-02-2025, 05:45 AM
#1
Hello everyone, I just acquired a Cisco UCS 5108 chassis at a great price and am planning to purchase some blade modules. We currently run gaming servers on VMware. The challenge is that our only router supports a 1 GB Ethernet port, and after buying the blades, the Fabric Extender Modules aren’t working as expected. I’m not very familiar with +sfp and hope someone can review these three IOMs to help me connect this setup to my cable router via Ethernet. Would it be possible to buy a +sfp 10Gb Ethernet module and install it in the +sfp port? It would be nice to also set up a fiber connection for our storage server. As you see, I’m sharing only limited details here—please be gentle with my lack of experience. This is the exact IOM I’m considering: UCS-IOM-2208XP CISCO UCS 8-PORT 10GBE FABRIC EXTENDER EXPANSION MODULE.
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H
Hencorp
10-02-2025, 05:45 AM #1

Hello everyone, I just acquired a Cisco UCS 5108 chassis at a great price and am planning to purchase some blade modules. We currently run gaming servers on VMware. The challenge is that our only router supports a 1 GB Ethernet port, and after buying the blades, the Fabric Extender Modules aren’t working as expected. I’m not very familiar with +sfp and hope someone can review these three IOMs to help me connect this setup to my cable router via Ethernet. Would it be possible to buy a +sfp 10Gb Ethernet module and install it in the +sfp port? It would be nice to also set up a fiber connection for our storage server. As you see, I’m sharing only limited details here—please be gentle with my lack of experience. This is the exact IOM I’m considering: UCS-IOM-2208XP CISCO UCS 8-PORT 10GBE FABRIC EXTENDER EXPANSION MODULE.

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C
CobraBlizard
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229
10-02-2025, 07:01 AM
#2
This document provides details about the Cisco UCS Blade Servers series.
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C
CobraBlizard
10-02-2025, 07:01 AM #2

This document provides details about the Cisco UCS Blade Servers series.

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M
MontanaOf300
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67
10-02-2025, 08:41 AM
#3
You'll need a Fabric Interconnect for the UCS B-Series servers. A 6200 or 6300 series model works best, then set up an uplink from there to the rest of the network. Note: There are also 6324 units that fit directly into the server, which can be used as an alternative. Otherwise, you'll end up with a FI—similar to a switch but requiring an external uplink for routing.
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M
MontanaOf300
10-02-2025, 08:41 AM #3

You'll need a Fabric Interconnect for the UCS B-Series servers. A 6200 or 6300 series model works best, then set up an uplink from there to the rest of the network. Note: There are also 6324 units that fit directly into the server, which can be used as an alternative. Otherwise, you'll end up with a FI—similar to a switch but requiring an external uplink for routing.

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D
dumafe
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110
10-02-2025, 04:04 PM
#4
Thanks for the update. Yes, you'll need an extender to operate this blade on the network unless you purchase the KVM/USB cable for the front and pair it with a USB to NIC adapter. I hope we don’t take a wrong turn here. The 6324 isn’t a good fit; its price is more than four times what the enclosure costs. What I’m focusing on is the +sfp transceivers and our standard Ethernet setup. Likely, we’ll opt for buying the switch and cable, while still researching compatibility. Here’s the link you shared:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/225047978142?ha...SwYEJivfRX
And another one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/164322728804?ha...BMirDyn71g
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D
dumafe
10-02-2025, 04:04 PM #4

Thanks for the update. Yes, you'll need an extender to operate this blade on the network unless you purchase the KVM/USB cable for the front and pair it with a USB to NIC adapter. I hope we don’t take a wrong turn here. The 6324 isn’t a good fit; its price is more than four times what the enclosure costs. What I’m focusing on is the +sfp transceivers and our standard Ethernet setup. Likely, we’ll opt for buying the switch and cable, while still researching compatibility. Here’s the link you shared:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/225047978142?ha...SwYEJivfRX
And another one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/164322728804?ha...BMirDyn71g

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R
RawrIshFancy
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155
10-06-2025, 06:51 PM
#5
We also purchased these two items since the sale closed today, and they were a good deal at the price. https://www.ebay.com/itm/313425433548
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R
RawrIshFancy
10-06-2025, 06:51 PM #5

We also purchased these two items since the sale closed today, and they were a good deal at the price. https://www.ebay.com/itm/313425433548

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P
PvtStoner
Senior Member
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599
10-07-2025, 03:43 PM
#6
This fabric extender serves its purpose, but it operates differently from typical switches. You'll require additional components to manage other aspects, and connecting regular clients isn't possible—it's a key consideration.
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P
PvtStoner
10-07-2025, 03:43 PM #6

This fabric extender serves its purpose, but it operates differently from typical switches. You'll require additional components to manage other aspects, and connecting regular clients isn't possible—it's a key consideration.

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