Cisco B200 M5 Blade Server - 2 x Intel Xeon Gold 6148 2.40 GHz - 192 GB RAM - 12Gb/s SAS Controller - Refurbished

The Cisco B200 M5 Blade Server is a powerhouse designed for modern data centers that demand both dense capacity and enterprise-class performance. This refurbished blade is built to power virtualized workloads, databases, and real-time analytics within Cisco’s Unified Computing System (UCS) portfolio. With dual Intel Xeon Gold 6148 processors clocked at 2.40 GHz and a generous 192 GB of RAM, it delivers the reliability and scalability enterprises require while fitting into a compact blade form factor. Ideal for consolidating workloads in a single, space-saving chassis, the B200 M5 blends Cisco’s engineering precision with robust enterprise features to support mission-critical applications with confidence.

• Robust dual-processor performance: Equipped with 2 x Intel Xeon Gold 6148 processors at 2.40 GHz, delivering substantial multicore throughput for virtualization, business intelligence, and high-concurrency applications.
• Ample memory for demanding workloads: 192 GB of RAM ensures smooth operation for large virtual machines, in-memory databases, and data-intensive analytics without bottlenecks.
• High-speed storage I/O: A 12 Gb/s SAS controller provides fast data access and improved input/output performance for storage arrays, reducing latency and accelerating data-intensive tasks.
• Cisco UCS integration for simplified management: Built to slot into a Cisco UCS B-Series chassis, enabling policy-based management, centralized firmware updates, and seamless integration with UCS Manager for streamlined operations.
• Value-driven refurbishment: Carefully refurbished to deliver Cisco-grade reliability at a lower total cost of ownership, with validated hardware and options for warranty to fit business needs.

Technical Details of Cisco B200 M5 Blade Server

• Get this information from the "specifications" section of the product from https://ec.synnex.com/ using product "UPC" or "SKU" as reference

How to install Cisco B200 M5 Blade Server

To deploy the Cisco B200 M5 Blade Server in a Cisco UCS environment, follow these installation and setup steps to ensure a smooth implementation and optimal performance.

Step 1: Verify compatibility and prepare the UCS environment. Confirm that your Cisco UCS chassis supports B-Series blades and that you have the appropriate UCS Manager version available to recognize the B200 M5. Check firmware compatibility lists and ensure your fabric interconnects are configured for the initiative you plan to pursue, whether virtualization, database workloads, or HPC-style tasks.

Step 2: Power down and prepare the blade slot. Power down the UCS chassis if required by your maintenance window. Remove any existing blade in the target slot, inspect the slot for debris, and align the B200 M5 blade with the slot guides. Carefully seat the blade into position until it is fully seated and secured in the enclosure.

Step 3: Connect management and fabric interfaces. Attach management cables and any required I/O connections to the blade’s mezzanine or PCIe slots as dictated by your UCS configuration. Ensure that the blade’s network and storage fabrics are correctly mapped within UCS Manager to align with your policy definitions.

Step 4: Power on and register with UCS Manager. Power up the chassis and blade, then log into Cisco UCS Manager. The system should auto-detect the new blade; if not, perform a manual discovery and assign the blade to the appropriate service profile. Apply a baseline BIOS and firmware policy to align with your environment’s standards and to ensure compatibility with the Xeon Gold 6148 processors and the 192 GB RAM configuration.

Step 5: Configure BIOS and operating environment. Set BIOS options to optimize performance for your workload, such as enabling virtualization features and adjusting power/performance curves. Install or migrate your preferred operating system (such as Linux distributions or Windows Server) and apply the storage policy that matches your SAS-backed storage array. If you use virtualization, configure the hypervisor with the appropriate resource allocations to leverage the full 2-socket Xeon capability and the large memory headroom.

Step 6: Update firmware and validate health. Use UCS Manager to perform firmware updates for the blade, BIOS, NICs, and storage controllers as necessary. Run built-in health checks and diagnostics to verify that the blade’s components—CPU, memory, storage controllers, and I/O interfaces—operate within expected parameters. Establish ongoing monitoring and alerting to ensure prompt notification of any anomalies.

Step 7: Optimize performance with policies. Create and apply policies for power, performance, and thermal management. Use UCS policies to standardize how blades are deployed across your fleet, enabling rapid provisioning while maintaining consistency, security, and compliance. Consider setting up workload-centric profiles for virtualization hosts, databases, or analytics nodes to maximize efficiency and predictability.

Step 8: Plan for expansion and lifecycle management. The B200 M5 blade is designed to fit into a scalable UCS chassis strategy. Plan for future growth by designing service profiles that accommodate additional blades and scaling of I/O and storage capabilities. Maintain a regular firmware and driver update cadence to preserve compatibility and performance as workloads evolve.

Step 9: Ensure backup and disaster recovery readiness. Integrate your blade server into your backup and DR strategy. Leverage UCS Manager’s centralized management along with your existing storage solution to create reliable backup windows and tested recovery procedures. Validate restore processes to reduce downtime and data loss in the event of failures.

Step 10: Verify security and compliance. Harden the blade with secure boot policies, trusted platform modules (TPM) if applicable, and strict access controls. Apply security baselines and monitor for any firmware-level vulnerabilities as part of your ongoing governance plan. Regularly review user permissions and audit logs to maintain compliance across your data center.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: Is the Cisco B200 M5 Blade Server compatible with Cisco UCS Manager?
• A: Yes. The B200 M5 is designed for Cisco UCS environments and integrates with UCS Manager for centralized provisioning, policy-based management, and streamlined lifecycle operations.
• Q: What is the processing capability of this blade?
• A: It features 2 x Intel Xeon Gold 6148 processors clocked at 2.40 GHz, delivering substantial multicore performance suitable for virtualization, databases, and analytics.
• Q: How much memory does it include?
• A: The blade is equipped with 192 GB of RAM, offering ample headroom for virtualization hosts, large in-memory workloads, and memory-intensive applications.
• Q: What storage controller does it use?
• A: It is paired with a 12 Gb/s SAS controller to enable fast data access and efficient storage I/O for attached SAS drives or arrays.
• Q: Is the blade refurbished?
• A: Yes. The Cisco B200 M5 blade is refurbished to meet enterprise reliability standards, with validation testing and options for warranty coverage to fit business needs.
• Q: Can I customize this blade for specific workloads?
• A: Absolutely. The blade supports policy-based management through UCS Manager, enabling you to tailor BIOS settings, memory resources, and I/O policies to your virtualization, database, or analytics workloads.