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Cisco and Nutanix have partnered to introduce the IT industry’s most complete hyperconverged solution by integrating and validating Cisco® servers, storage, networking, and SaaS operations with the Nutanix hybrid multicloud platform. Cisco Compute Hyperconverged with Nutanix is built, managed, and supported holistically to deliver a more seamless experience, foster innovation, and accelerate customers’ hybrid-cloud journeys. Modern workloads require modern flexibility. Traditional hyperconverged solutions requires scaling compute and storage together. When you need to scale compute capacity without adding storage, Cisco Compute-Only (CO) nodes provide that critical capability—empowering you to design clusters that match your exact requirements.
Cisco Compute-Only C240 M7 Node family
A. Expanding Cisco Compute Hyperconverged node clusters with Cisco Compute-Only nodes:
The Cisco Compute-Only node solution enables you to expand the compute resources of Cisco hyperconverged clusters running Nutanix by adding Cisco UCS®-certified servers without additional storage. These storage-less, Compute-Only (CO) servers certified by Cisco integrate seamlessly into your existing or new hyperconverged Nutanix cluster, allowing organizations to efficiently support compute intensive applications by scaling compute resources independently of storage infrastructure.
Key benefits
● Cost-effective scaling for compute-heavy workloads
● Flexibility in cluster design
Table 1. Minimum cluster requirements for Cisco Compute-Only nodes
| Cluster attributes |
Hyperconverged node with Cisco Compute-Only node |
| Number of nodes |
Minimum of 3 HCI nodes and minimum of 2 CO nodes |
| Nodes ratio |
Nutanix recommends the following nodes ratio: 1 HCI: 1 CO |
| Hypervisor |
Hyperconverged node: Nutanix Acropolis Hypervisor (AHV) only Compute-only node: Nutanix Acropolis Hypervisor (AHV) only |
| Licensing: |
NCI licenses on a per-core basis. For more information about NCI licenses, see NCI section in Nutanix Cloud Platform Software Options |
| Nutanix Cloud Platform software |
Same as Cisco Compute Hyperconverged with Nutanix |
B. Cisco Compute-Only node connected to Pure Storage Flash Array (FlashStack with Nutanix)
Pure Storage FlashArray//X and FlashArray//XL deliver mission-critical performance with the efficiency and resiliency that is missing from legacy arrays. FlashArray//X and FlashArray//XL packs more IOPS, ultra-consistent latency, and greater scale into a smaller footprint. Nondisruptive upgrades, always-on availability, and built-in data protection ensure that workloads are always running while reducing risk. FlashArray//XL is designed to provide the highest performance density with a high level of operational and management simplicity.
Nutanix Cloud Platform (NCP) consolidates computing, storage, and networking into a unified pool. It uses Nutanix Acropolis Operating System (AOS) for storage, Nutanix Acropolis Hypervisor (AHV) for virtualization, and Prism Central for centralized management across environments.
The Cisco Compute-Only node with Nutanix Cloud Platform (NCP) and Pure Storage FlashArray solution delivers a disaggregated infrastructure architecture that enables independent scaling of compute and storage resources. This solution combines industry-standard Cisco Compute-Only node servers running Nutanix AHV and AOS connected to external Pure Storage FlashArray. This architecture leverages Pure Storage technology which is optimized for enterprise workloads. The FlashStack solution with Nutanix integration provides organizations with the agility to adapt infrastructure resources dynamically while maintaining enterprise-level reliability and performance
Key benefits
● Independent scalability: scale compute and storage resources separately based on workload demands
● Enterprise-grade protection: built-in data protection and disaster recovery capabilities
● Hybrid-cloud readiness: seamlessly extend operations across on-premises and cloud environments
● Investment protection: be able to use Nutanix Cloud Platform with existing external storage
| Attributes |
Cisco Compute-Only (CO) node connected to Pure Storage FlashArray |
| Cisco Compute-Only nodes |
Minimum total physical CPU core count per node: 24 Minimum memory: 64 GB M.2 boot drives with M.2 RAID controller (480GB is recommended) Storage protocol: NVMe over Fabrics (NVMeoF) over TCP 25Gb Ethernet network connection recommended between Cisco Nutanix compute cluster and Pure Storage FlashArray (10Gb will be supported.) Minimum 5 CO nodes |
| Hypervisor |
Nutanix AHV only |
| Management |
Cisco Intersight® Managed Mode (IMM) |
| Pure Storage |
FlashArray//X and FlashArray//XL |
| Nutanix Cloud Platform software |
Supported Nutanix software:
● Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI)
● Nutanix Cloud Manager (NCM)
● Nutanix Cloud Platform (NCP)
● Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP)
|
| Licensing: |
Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI) licenses on a per-core basis Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure: Compute (NCI-C) (2000 cores minimum) For more information about NCI licenses, see the NCI section in Nutanix Cloud Platform Software Options. |
The Cisco Compute-Only C240 M7 Node family incorporates the 4th or 5th Gen Intel® Xeon® Scalable Processors with 60 percent more cores per socket and such advanced features as Intel Advanced Matrix Extensions (AMX), Data Streaming Accelerator (DSA), In-Memory Analytics Accelerator (IAA), and QuickAssist Technology (QAT). As a result, many applications will see significant performance improvements.
The Cisco Compute-Only C240 M7 Node can be repurposed as an HCI node by adding a drive controller and drives. For more information, please refer to the Cisco Compute Hyperconverged with Nutanix-HCIAF240 M7 All- NVMe/All-Flash Server specifications document.
These servers can be interconnected and managed in:
● Intersight Managed Mode: The nodes are connected to a pair of Cisco UCS 6400 Series, a pair of Cisco UCS 6500, or a pair of Cisco UCS 6600 Series fabric interconnects that are entirely managed through Cisco Intersight (SaaS, PVA, or CVA). All servers are connected to the same pair of fabric interconnect.
Table 2. Summary of features of Cisco Compute-Only C240 M7 Node
| Feature |
Benefit |
|
| Memory |
● High memory capacity
● Up to 8 TB memory (32 x 256 GB DDR5 DIMMs)
|
|
| Processors |
5th Generation Intel Xeon Scalable Processors (Emerald Rapids)
● Massive processing power with up to 64 cores per socket
● 5 MB of L3 cache per core
● Speed-select technology that supports high and low priority cores
● Up to 80 PCI Express 5.0 lanes
● High-speed DDR5 memory technology for up to 5600 MT/s
● Multiple built-in accelerators for new functional capabilities across AI, analytics, security, and storage
|
4th Generation Intel Xeon Scalable Processors (Saphire Rapids)
● 10-nanometer (nm) processor technology
● Processing power with up to 60 cores per socket
● Larger L2 and L3 cache
● High-speed DDR5 memory technology for up to 4800 MT/s
|
| Unified network fabric |
● Wire-once deployment model, eliminating the need to install adapters and re-cable racks and switches when changing I/O configurations
● Fewer interface cards, cables, and upstream network ports to purchase, power, configure, and maintain
|
|
| Cloud-based services and management |
Cisco Intersight simplifies infrastructure operations across on-premises data centers, edge sites, and public clouds.
● Use a software-as-a-service platform that bridges applications with infrastructure
● Correlate visibility and management across
● Utilize bare-metal servers, hypervisors, and application components
● Transform operations with artificial intelligence to reach needed scale and velocity
|
Nutanix Cloud Platform (NCP) includes Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI or NCI-C), Nutanix Cloud Management (NCM), and desktop services:
● NCI unifies compute, storage, and network, hypervisors, and containers in public or enterprise clouds.
● NCM offers customers simplicity and ease of use to build and grow their cloud deployments and realize rapid ROI by providing intelligent operations, self-service, orchestration, visibility, and governance.
|
| Security |
● Trusted Platform Module (TPM), a chip (microcontroller) that can securely store artifacts, including passwords, certificates, and encryption keys, which are used to authenticate the platform (node). Supports TPM 2.0.
● Software-based data-at-rest encryption and microsegmentation
|
|
Table 3. Specifications for Cisco Compute-Only C240 M7 Node
| Feature |
Common specifications across the Cisco Compute-Only C240 M7 Node family |
| Chassis |
2RU of rack space per node |
| Processors |
Either: One or two 5th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable Processors (Emerald Rapids) Or: One or two 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable Processors (Sapphire Rapids) |
| Memory |
Either: 32 DDR5-5600 DIMM slots (16 DIMMS per CPU): 16, 32, 48, 64, 96, 128, or 256 GB at up to 5600 MT/s for up to 8 TB of memory with 5th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable Processors Or: 32 DDR5-4800 DIMM slots (16 DIMMS per CPU): 16, 32, 64, 128, or 256 GB at up to 4800 MT/s for up to 8 TB of memory with 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable Processors |
| Boot drives |
● Dual M.2 SATA SSDs with HW RAID support for hypervisor boot
● 240 GB M.2 SATA SSD, 480 GB M.2 SATA SSD (480 GB is recommended)
|
| PCIe |
● Up to 8 PCIe 4.0 slots or up to 4 PCIe 5.0 slots plus 1 dedicated 12-Gbps RAID controller slot and 1 dedicated mLOM slot
|
| Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) |
● NVIDIA A16, A30, A40, H100-80 Tesla GPU card (optional)
● NVIDIA L4, L40S GPU cards (optional)
|
| Network |
● Cisco UCS Virtual Interface Card 15428, 15238, 15427, or 15237 (modular LAN on motherboard)
● Quad 10/25/50 G or Dual 40/100 G Ethernet VIC (Cisco UCS Virtual Interface Card 15425 or 15235) (optional)
● Intel E810 dual-or quad-port Network Interface Card
● Intel 710 dual- or quad-port Network Interface Card
|
| Management |
|
| Advanced Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability (RAS) features |
● Robust reporting and analytics
● Hot-swappable, front-accessible drives
● Dual-redundant fans and hot-swappable, redundant power supplies for enterprise-class reliability and a convenient latching lid for easy access to internal server
● Tool-free CPU insertion, enabling processor upgrades and replacements with less risk of damage
● Tool-free access to all serviceable items, and color-coded indicators to guide users to hot-pluggable and serviceable items
● Nondisruptive rolling upgrades using Nutanix Life-Cycle Manager (LCM)
|
| Front-panel connector |
● 1 KVM console connector per node (each connector supplies 2 USB connectors, 1 VGA connector, and 1 serial connector)
|
| Front-panel locator LED |
● Helps direct administrators to specific servers in large data-center environments
|
| Additional rear connectors |
● 1 Gigabit Ethernet management port
● 1 RS-232 serial port (RJ45 connector)
● 1 video graphics array (VGA) video port (DB15 connector)
● 2 USB 3.0 ports
|
| Power and cooling |
● One or two hot-pluggable power supplies
● Second power supply provides 1+1 redundancy
● 1050W DC, 1200W AC, 1600W AC, or 2300W AC power supply options
● 6 hot-swappable fans for front-to-rear cooling
|
| Rail-kit options |
● Cisco ball-bearing rail kit with optional reversible cable-management arm
|
| Software |
● Management software: Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure, Nutanix Cloud Management
● Hypervisor: Nutanix Acropolis Hypervisor (AHV)
|
For a complete list of part numbers, refer to the Cisco Compute-Only C240 M7 Node spec sheet.
Cisco, Nutanix, and our industry-leading partners deliver services that accelerate your transition to Cisco Compute Hyperconverged systems. Professional services can help you create an agile infrastructure, accelerate time to value, reduce costs and risks, and maintain availability during deployment and migration. After you have deployed your system, our services can help you improve performance, availability, and resiliency as your business needs evolve.
Information about Cisco’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives and performance is provided in Cisco’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability reporting.
Table 4. Cisco environmental sustainability information
| Sustainability topic |
Reference |
|
| General |
Information on product-material-content laws and regulations |
|
| Information on electronic waste laws and regulations, including our products, batteries, and packaging |
||
| Information on product takeback and reuse program |
||
| Sustainability inquiries |
Contact: csr_inquiries@cisco.com |
|
Cisco makes the packaging data available for informational purposes only. It may not reflect the most current legal developments, and Cisco does not represent, warrant, or guarantee that it is complete, accurate, or up to date. This information is subject to change without notice.
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| New or Revised Topic |
Described In |
Date |
| Cisco Compute-Only (CO) C240 M7 Node |
Data sheet |
December 2025 |