Table Of Contents
Release Notes for Cisco UCS E-Series Servers, Release 1.0
Contents
Introduction
System Requirements
Hardware Requirements
Software Requirements
E-Series Server Options
Router, E-Series Server, and Cisco IOS Software Version Compatibility
Important Information About VMWare FL-SRE-V-HOST License
Open Caveats
Related Documentation
Obtaining Documentation and Submitting a Service Request
Release Notes for Cisco UCS E-Series Servers, Release 1.0
October 3, 2012
OL-27723-01
This document provides a brief introduction of the Cisco UCS E-Series Servers, system requirements, compatibility information, open caveats, and related documentation.
Note 
Documentation is sometimes updated after original publication; therefore, review the documentation on Cisco.com for any updates.
Contents
This document contains the following sections:
•Introduction
•System Requirements
•E-Series Server Options
•Router, E-Series Server, and Cisco IOS Software Version Compatibility
•Important Information About VMWare FL-SRE-V-HOST License
•Open Caveats
•Related Documentation
•Obtaining Documentation and Submitting a Service Request
Introduction
The Cisco UCS E-Series Servers (E-Series Servers) are the next generation of
Cisco UCS Express servers. E-Series Servers are a family of size, weight, and power efficient blade servers that are housed within Generation 2 Cisco Integrated Services Routers (ISR G2). These servers provide a general purpose compute platform for branch-office applications deployed either as bare-metal on operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows or Linux; or as virtual machines on hypervisors, such as VMware vSphere HypervisorTM, Microsoft Hyper-V, or Citrix XenServer.
System Requirements
This section describes the hardware and software requirements. It contains the following information:
•Hardware Requirements
•Software Requirements
Hardware Requirements
E-Series Servers reside in the Cisco 2900 series or 3900 series ISR G2. The following E-Series Servers are supported:
•UCS-E140S—Single-wide E-Series Server
•UCS-E140D—Double-wide E-Series Server, 4 core CPU
•UCS-E160D—Double-wide E-Series Server, 6 core CPU
•UCS-E140DP—Double-wide E-Series Server, 4 core CPU, with PCIe
•UCS-E160DP—Double-wide E-Series Server, 6 core CPU, with PCIe
Table 1 provides hardware information about the E-Series Servers.
Table 1 E-Series Server Hardware at a Glance
|
Feature
|
UCS-E140S
Single-Wide E-Series Server)
|
UCS-E140D and UCS-E160D
Double-Wide E-Series Servers
|
UCS-E140DP and UCS-E160DP
Double-Wide E-Series Servers with PCIe
|
Form Factor |
Single-wide SM |
Double-wide SM |
Double-wide SM |
CPU |
Intel XeonTM E3-1105C |
Intel XeonTM E5-2428L and E5-2418L |
Intel XeonTM E5-2428L and E5-2418L |
CPU Cores |
4 Core |
4 Core and 6 Core |
4 Core and 6 Core |
DIMM Slots |
2 Slots |
3 Slots |
3 Slots |
RAM |
8 GB - 16 GB Supports DDR3 1333MHz VLP UDIMM 1.5 V, 4 GB, and 8 GB |
8 GB - 48 GB Supports DDR3 1333 MHz RDIMM 1.35 V, 4 GB, 8 GB and 16 GB |
8 GB - 48 GB Supports DDR3 1333 MHz RDIMM 1.35 V, 4 GB, 8 GB, and 16 GB |
RAID |
RAID 0 and RAID 1 |
RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 5 |
RAID 0 and RAID 1 |
Storage Type |
SATA, SAS, SSD, and SED |
SATA, SAS, SSD, and SED |
SATA, SAS, SSD, and SED |
HDD |
SAS 10K RPM, SATA 7200 RPM, and SAS SSD Drives1 Supports 2 Drives |
SAS 10K RPM, SATA 7200 RPM, and SAS SSD Drives1 Supports 3 Drives |
SAS 10K RPM, SATA 7200 RPM, and SAS SSD Drives1 Supports 2 Drives |
Storage Capacity |
200 GB - 2 TB |
200 GB - 3 TB |
200 GB - 2 TB |
Internal Network Interface |
2 Gigabit Ethernet Interfaces |
2 Gigabit Ethernet Interfaces |
2 Gigabit Ethernet Interfaces |
External Interfaces |
1 USB Connector 1 RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet Connector 1 Management Port 1 KVM Port (Supports VGA,
1 USB, 1 Serial DB9) |
2 USB Connectors 2 RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet Connectors 1 Management Port 1 VGA Port 1 Serial DB9 |
2 USB Connectors 2 RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet Connectors 1 Management Port 1 VGA Port 1 Serial DB9 |
Router Platforms |
2911, 2921, 2951, 3925, 3925e, 3945, 3945e |
2921, 29512 , 3925, 3925e, 3945, 3945e |
2921, 29512, 3925, 3925e, 3945, 3945e |
Maximum Number of E-Series Servers Per ISR G2 |
2900 ISR G2—1 E-Series Server 2951 ISR G2—2 E-Series Servers 3925 ISR G2—2 E-Series Servers 3945 ISR G2—4 E-Series Servers |
2900 ISR G2—1 E-Series Server 3900 ISR G2—1 E-Series Server |
2900 ISR G2—1 E-Series Server 3900 ISR G2—1 E-Series Server |
Table 2 shows the Cisco EtherSwitch Enhanced High-Speed WAN Interface Cards (EHWICs) and
Cisco EtherSwitch Service Modules that are supported on the E-Series Server.
Table 2 Supported Cisco EtherSwitch EHWIC and Cisco EtherSwitch Service Modules
|
Cisco EtherSwitch EHWIC
|
Cisco EtherSwitch Service Module
|
EHWIC-D-8ESG-P=, EHWIC-D-8ESG-P, EHWIC-D-8ESG=, EHWIC-D-8ESG, EHWIC-4ESG-P=, EHWIC-4ESG-P, EHWIC-4ESG=, and EHWIC-4ESG |
SM-D-ES3G-48-P, SM-D-ES3-48-P, SM-D-ES2-48, SM-ES3G-24-P, SM-ES3-24-P, SM-ES2-24-P, SM-ES2-24, and SM-ES3G-16-P |
Software Requirements
E-Series Servers require three major software systems:
•CIMC Firmware
•BIOS Firmware
•Operating System or Hypervisor
CIMC Firmware
Cisco Integrated Management Controller (CIMC) is a management module, which is built into the motherboard. A dedicated ARM-based processor, separate from the main server CPU, runs the CIMC firmware. The system ships with a running version of the CIMC firmware. You can update the CIMC firmware, but no initial installation is needed.
CIMC is the management service for the E-Series Servers. CIMC runs within the server. You can use CIMC to access, configure, administer, and monitor the server.
BIOS Firmware
BIOS initializes the hardware in the system, discovers bootable devices, and boots them in the provided sequence. It boots the operating system and configures the hardware for the operating system to use. BIOS manageability features allow you to interact with the hardware and use it. In addition, BIOS provides options to configure the system, manage firmware, and create BIOS error reports. The system ships with a running version of the BIOS firmware. You can update the BIOS firmware, but no initial installation is needed.
Operating System or Hypervisor
The main server CPU runs on an operating system such as Microsoft Windows, Linux, or Hypervisor. You can purchase an E-Series Server with a pre-installed operating system such as Microsoft Windows or VMware vSphere HypervisorTM, or you can install your own operating system.
The following operating systems are supported on the E-Series Servers:
•Microsoft Windows:
–Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard 64-bit
–Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise 64-bit
•Linux:
–Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.2
–SUSE Linux Enterprise 11, service pack 2
–Oracle Enterprise Linux 6.0, update 2
•Hypervisor:
–VMware vSphere HypervisorTM 5.0, update 1
–Hyper-V (Windows 2008 R2)
–Citrix XenServer 6.0
E-Series Server Options
E-Series Servers are available in the following options:
•Option 1—E-Series Server without preinstalled operating system or hypervisor
•Option 2—E-Series Server with preinstalled Microsoft Windows Server
At the time of purchase, you can choose the appropriate RAID option that you want enabled on the E-Series Server.
Note If you purchase this option, the Microsoft Windows Server license is preactivated.
•Option 3—E-Series Server with preinstalled VMware vSphere HypervisorTM
At the time of purchase, you can choose the appropriate RAID option that you want enabled on the E-Series Server.
Router, E-Series Server, and Cisco IOS Software Version Compatibility
Table 3 provides the router, E-Series Server, and Cisco IOS software version compatibility information.
Table 3 Cisco Routers, E-Series Server, and Cisco IOS Version Compatibility
|
Router
|
Cisco IOS Software Version for Single-Wide E-Series Servers
|
Cisco IOS Software Version for Double-Wide E-Series Servers
|
2911 |
15.2(4)M and later versions |
— |
2921 |
15.2(4)M and later versions |
15.2(4)M and later versions Note Supports 4-core only |
2951 |
15.2(4)M and later versions |
15.2(4)M and later versions Note Supports 4-core only |
3925 |
15.2(4)M and later versions |
15.2(4)M and later versions |
3925e |
15.2(4)M and later versions |
15.2(4)M and later versions |
3945 |
15.2(4)M and later versions |
15.2(4)M and later versions |
3945e |
15.2(4)M and later versions |
15.2(4)M and later versions |
Important Information About VMWare FL-SRE-V-HOST License
If you are using VMware FL-SRE-V-HOST license (equivalent to VMware vSphere Hypervisor™ 5.X), make sure that the RAM that you are using is 32 GB or less. If the RAM is more than 32 GB, you will get an error message, and you will not be able to apply the license. If you want to use 48 GB RAM, upgrade your license to FL-SRE-V-HOSTVC.
Open Caveats
Table 4 lists the caveats that are open for the E-Series Servers.
Table 4 Open Caveats in E-Series Servers
|
Bug ID
|
Summary
|
Additional Information
|
CSCtz86835 |
The Virtual Drive information is missing after a CIMC upgrade. |
Symptom The Virtual Drive information may not show any Virtual Drives that were configured previously. Conditions This may occur immediately after a CIMC upgrade. Workaround Refresh GUI page. If that does not help, reboot host and enter into LSI WebBIOS to verify the Virtual Drives. |
CSCty86334 |
The VMware vSphere Hypervisor 5.0 installation crashes with purple screen if Virtual D rive stripe size is less than 64 KB. |
Symptom The VMware vSphere Hypervisor installation fails with Purple Screen of Death (PSOD). Conditions The raid array was created with a stripe size of less than 64 KB. Workaround Use the default 64 KB stripe size during raid array creation. |
CSCty61983 |
The rebuild is stuck at 0% when the host is in pre-boot environment. |
Symptom The rebuild does not proceed and seems to get stuck. Conditions The host is not booted up and is not at LSI WebBIOS environment. Workaround Boot the host or press Ctrl+H and enter LSI WebBIOS. The rebuild reconstruction will now proceed. |
CSCua39277 |
Sensor: Error in DIMM temperature reading when the temperature is increased. |
Symptom The DDR temperature reading for some DIMM are not correct after a few days of uptime. Conditions There is no user input that causes this condition. After a few days of operation, the temperature reading does not change from its last reading. Workaround There is no workaround. |
|
CSCua40167 |
The DDR3_P1_B0_ECC event with sensor reading exceeding 253 are found in P3. |
Symptom The DDR3_P1_B0_ECC event is seen in System Event Log. Conditions The number of ECC events exceed 253. Workaround There is no workaround. |
CSCtz71108 |
Cannot create (secure) Virtual Drive from CIMC GUI using SED drives. |
Symptom The raid arrays that were created from CIMC GUI are not secured even if SED physical drives were used. Conditions Using CIMC GUI to create raid array on SED drives does not create secure drives. Workaround Use LSI WebBIOS to create raid array. |
CSCty86437 |
SNMP: Operstate/Operability values when the X86 is powered down. |
Symptom The current operstate operability (cucsProcessorUnitOperState and cuscProcessorUnitOperabilit) MIB values is operable even when the X86 is powered down. Conditions The X86 CPU status is powered down. Workaround Use CIMC, CLI to get the correct status. |
CSCua29947 |
The inventory of memory does not display correct information in the web. |
Symptom On E-Series Single Wide Servers, some of the information under
Server > Inventory > Memory is not filled with correct information. This is mainly the memory manufacturer, serial number, asset tag and part number. Workaround There is no workaround. |
CSCtx48993 |
The Platform Event Filters are not triggering the actions based on the events. |
Symptom There are no actions executed after a critical event. Conditions Temperature in critical events. Workaround There is no workaround. |
CSCub20023 |
The lock power button locks the reset button. |
Symptom The front panel reset button does not work. Conditions The lock power button is active in CIMC. Workaround Unlock the power button from CIMC. |
CSCtz81924 |
The clear configuration does not clean all the partitions created by an old operating system. |
Symptom The installation of a newer operating system can still see some of the partitions that were created by the previous operating system. Conditions This happens while trying to install Windows operating system on a system that previously had VMware vSphere Hypervisor on it. The Windows operating system installation may show several partitions that does not correspond to the created raid arrays / JBOD disks. Workaround Perform the following steps to delete old partitions created by an old operating system: 1. Use Drive options (advanced) from the windows installation window. 2. Delete all the other partitions that have the name Disk _ Partition _. Do not delete the Disk _ Unallocated Space partition. 3. After all the other partitions are deleted, the Unallocated Space partition should show full drive capacity. 4. Windows installation should now proceed as expected. Another way to avoid running into this issue is to do a full initialization at the time of raid array creation. Note that full initialization takes several hours to complete depending on the disk size. |
CSCub20011 |
The CIMC management interface stops working when the connection is changed from 100 Mbps to 10 Mbps. |
Symptom The connectivity to CIMC is lost. Conditions The CIMC is connected to the dedicated management port and the connection is changed from 100 Mbps to 10 Mbps. Workaround Perform the following steps for the workaround: 1. Login to CIMC console. 2. Scope the CIMC/network. 3. Set the mode to dedicated. 4. Commit. |
CSCub58962 |
The Host Image Mapping does not accept URL with http port number in CIMC. |
Symptom The following error message is seen: Conditions The port number is entered in the URL under Host Image Mapping section in CIMC. Workaround Do not use the port number in the URL. |
CSCua29511 |
The full initialization on STEC SSD reports offline array and failed drives. |
Symptom After creating a raid array, it appears offline and all the drives in the physical drive information page appears failed. Conditions This happens when a full initialization is issued on STEC SSDs at the time of raid array creation. Workaround The full initialization on STEC SSD drives is not currently supported. Use quick initialization instead to create optimal raid arrays. |
CSCub22157 |
Unable to turn on the debug for UCSE on IOS. |
Symptom Unable to turn on the debug for UCSE on IOS. Conditions Unable to turn on the debug for UCSE on IOS. Some of the help information are missing and the command is not recognized. Router# debug ? ucse UCSE debug Router# debug ucse? ucse Router# debug ucse ? % Unrecognized command Router# debug ucse % Incomplete command. Workaround There is no workaround. |
CSCub46598 |
The dedicated port slows down after a few days of uptime. |
Symptom The CIMC ethernet became very slow at 1 Mbps. Conditions A dedicated port is used. Workaround Reset the CIMC ethernet port. scope cimc/network set hostname <same hostname as before> commit |
CSCub37825 |
The Windows installation using IDE DVD or KVM failed with 0x80070570. |
Symptom The installation of windows 2008 R2 sometimes fail with windows code 0x80070570. Conditions The failure occurs when using IDE drive and mount it to install windows via KVM. Workaround Use direct USB drive and connect it to UCSE USB port. |
CSCua66415 |
CIMC: Status messages are incorrect after downloading an image. |
Symptom CIMC: Status messages are incorrect after downloading an image in GUI/CLI. Conditions Incorrect status messages after a host image download in GUI/CLI. Workaround There is no workaround. |
CSCtz67675 |
The session host command shows no output when serial-over-LAN is enabled. |
Symptom After entering the ucse x session host command, there is no serial output from the host. Conditions The Serial-over-LAN (SoL) is enabled on the CIMC. Workaround Disable SOL from the CIMC GUI or CLI: 1. From the CIMC GUI: a. From the GUI, select Server -> Remote Presence -> Serial over LAN. b. Deselect the Enabled checkbox. c. Click Save Changes. 2. From the CLI: a. Go to the sol scope. b. Change the Enable setting to no. c. Enter commit. |
CSCua37395 |
The software becomes unreponsive when booting Centos live in CD. |
Symptom The CIMC on UCS-E becomes unresponsive if you boot Centos 5.6 or lower versions on X86. Conditions Installed a Centos 5.6 or lower version IOS through virtual media or external CD drive. Workaround Only the Centos version 5.7 or higher versions are supported on the UCS-E platforms. The Centos 5.6 or lower versions are not supported on the UCS-E platforms because of the incompatibility in the network drivers packaged in the version for BCM5719. |
CSCua63071 |
Cannot add FTP username and password for remote installation. |
Symptom If you try to download a host image from a remote FTP/HTTP server, the following CLI does not work if there is a username and password configured on the server:
download-image ftp IP pub/hImage.iso --username x --password y</B>
Conditions The following CLI are used to download a host image from a remote FTP/HTTP server with username and password configured. download-image ftp IP path/windows.iso --username admin --password abcd download-image ftp IP path/linux.iso -x admin -y abcd</B> Workaround Use the CIMC Web GUI to download the host image from the FTP/HTTP server that has username and password authentication. If the FTP/HTTP server is not configured with a username and password, then the following download-image CLI command works without any issues: download-image ftp IP path/linux.iso</B> |
CSCuc11612 |
Wake on LAN is not working in Windows 2008 R2. |
Symptom Wake on LAN is not working. Conditions In windows 2008 R2. Workaround There is no workaround. |
Related Documentation
The following related documentation is available for E-Series Servers:
•Documentation Guide for Cisco UCS E-Series Servers, Release 1.0 (provides links to all documents)
•Release Notes for Cisco UCS E-Series Servers, Release 1.0 (this document)
•Getting Started Guide for Cisco UCS E-Series Servers, Release 1.0
•Hardware Installation Guide for Cisco UCS E-Series Servers
•Cisco Network Modules, Server Modules, and Interface Cards Regulatory Compliance and Safety Information
•GUI Configuration Guide for Cisco UCS E-Series Servers Integrated Management Controller, Release 1.0
•CLI Configuration Guide for Cisco UCS E-Series Servers Integrated Management Controller, Release 1.0
•Troubleshooting Guide for Cisco UCS E-Series Servers
•Open Source Used in Cisco UCS E-Series Servers, Release 1.0
Obtaining Documentation and Submitting a Service Request
For information on obtaining documentation, submitting a service request, and gathering additional information, see the monthly What's New in Cisco Product Documentation, which also lists all new and revised Cisco technical documentation, at:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/general/whatsnew/whatsnew.html
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