Configure Integrated UCS C Series Servers to Standalone Mode

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Updated:August 20, 2026
Document ID:221003

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Introduction

This document describes how to configure a UCS-C Series server integrated into UCS Manager to standalone mode and reimage its firmware version.

Prerequisites

Requirements

Cisco recommends that you have knowledge of these topics:

  • Basic understanding of Networking
  • Basic understanding of UCS Manager (UCSM)
  • Basic understanding of Unified Computing Systems Servers (UCS)
  • Basic understanding of Cisco Integrated Management Controller (CIMC)

Components Used

This document is not restricted to specific software versions.

The information in this document was created from the devices in a specific lab environment. All of the devices used in this document started with a cleared (default) configuration. If your network is live, ensure that you understand the potential impact of any command.

Background Information

Ensure that you have these requirements before you attempt this configuration.

  • Monitor
  • Keyboard
  • KVM Cable
  • Computer to Connect to C-Series Server
  • 1G Cable to Connect to the Management Port

Configure

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Note: Do not perform this process without the recommendation of TAC.

Put Server in Standalone Mode

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Warning: Ensure your server is powered off before you begin this procedure.

Step 1. Decommission the Server

1. Navigate to your UCS Manager Web Interface.

2. Navigate to Equipment > Rack-Mounts > Server x.

Decommission the Server

3. Click Server Maintenance and select Decommission. 

Decommission the Maintenance Server

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Note: When a server is decommissioned, it is not shown over Rack-Mounts, it is shown under Equipment > Decommisioned > Rack-Mounts.

Step 2. Unconfigure Server Ports

1. Navigate to Equipment > Fabric Interconnects > Fabric Interconnect A > Fixed Module > Ethernet Ports > Port x.

2. Click Unconfigure.

Unconfigure Server Ports

Unconfigure Port 2

3. Repeat the same steps for Fabric Interconnect B.

4. Navigate to Equipment > Fabric Interconnects > Fabric Interconnect B > Fixed Module > Ethernet Ports > Port x. Then, click Unconfigure.

Step 3. Change CIMC to Default Settings

1. Power off the server and remove the power cords. Wait for 2 minutes and connect the power cords again.

2. Connect a KVM cable to the server with a monitor and keyboard.

3. Monitor the server boot process until you reach the Cisco menu and press F8 to enter to Cisco IMC Configuration Utility.

Boot Process

CIMC Utility-1

4. Press F1 and enable Factory Default.

CIMC Utility-2

5. Press F10 to save your changes and reboot the server.

Step 4. Configure CIMC to Standalone Mode

1. Monitor the server boot process until you reach the Cisco menu and press F8 to enter to Cisco IMC Configuration Utility again.

2. Apply the next configuration:

  • NIC Mode selected to Dedicated
  • IP to IPV4
  • CIMC IP with an IP in the same subnet as your computer
  • NIC Redundancy to None
  • No VLAN

CIMC Utility-3

3. Press F10 to save your changes and reboot the server.

4. Connect your computer to the physical Management Port on the server and open a web browser.

5. Use the IP you configured https://x.x.x.x

CIMC-1

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Note: Default password for an admin user is password.

6. CIMC Prompt view and current CIMC version.

CIMC-2

Reimage Firmware Version

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Note: If your Server is integrated back into UCSM, it is highly recommended to reimage the firmware version.

Step 1. Download Host Upgrade Utility(HUU) ISO

1. Reimaging is done through HUU. You can download HUU ISO at Download Page for Cisco.

Step 2. Launch KVM and Map HUU ISO

1. Once you download HUU for the current version, navigate to CIMC and click Launch KVM.

CIMC-3

2. Once vKVM is launched, click Virtual Media and Activate Virtual Devices.

Map ISO-1

3. Map HUU on Map CD/DVD.

Map ISO-2

Step 3. Boot Using HUU ISO

1. Monitor the server boot process until you reach the Cisco menu and press F6  to enter into the Boot Menu.

Boot Menu-1

2. Select the vKVM-Mapped vDVD option to boot HUU ISO mapped.

Boot Menu-2

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Note: To load HUU ISO, it can take several minutes.

Step 4. Reimage Current Version

1. Wait until HUU ISO loads and accepts the Cisco Software License Agreement.

Firmware Reimage-1

2. Switch to Advanced Mode and select all components, then click Update & Activate.

Firmware Reimage-2

3. Wait until the reimaging completes and the server reboots.

Integrate Server to UCS Manager

Step 1. Set CIMC to Factory Default

1. Repeat the same steps in Step 3 in Put Server in Standalone Mode.

Step 2. Reconfigured Ports as Server Ports

1. Navigate to Equipment > Fabric Interconnects > Fabric Interconnect A > Fixed Module > Ethernet Ports > Port x.

2. Click Reconfigure and select Configured as Server Port.

Configure Port

3. Repeat the same steps for Fabric Interconnect B.

4. Navigate to Equipment > Fabric Interconnects > Fabric Interconnect B > Fixed Module > Ethernet Ports > Port x. Then, click Reconfigure and select Configured as Server Port.

Step 3.  Connect Adapter Cables

1. Connect port 1 to FI-A and port 3 to FI-B of the VIC Card.

Step 4. Recommission Server

1. Navigate to Equipment > Decommsioned > Rack-Mounts, select the checkbox for Recommission, and Save.  

Recommission

2. Wait until you see your server again.

Discovery Process-1

3. You can monitor server discovery over Server FSM. 

Discovery Process-2

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Note: Discovery can take several minutes to start.

4. Once the server finishes the discovery process, the association of the Service Profile (SP) begins.

Service Profile Association

5. After discovery and association finish, you can boot your server and load back into production.

Related Information

Revision History

Revision Publish Date Comments
3.0
20-Aug-2026
Updated title, spelling, grammar, inserted horizontal lines to separate sections for readability.
2.0
04-Mar-2025
Updated Alt Text, Punctuation, and Formatting.
1.0
29-Sep-2023
Initial Release
TAC Authored

Contributed by Cisco Engineers

  • Daniel Diaz Sanchez
    Technical Consulting Engineer

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