UCSC-PCIE-C25Q-04 Cisco Quad Port 25GBE SFP28 PCI-E UCS Virtual Interface Card

Overview of Cisco UCSC-PCIE-C25Q-04 Quad Port Interface Card

The Cisco UCSC-PCIE-C25Q-04 Quad Port 25GbE SFP28 PCI-E UCS Virtual Interface Card is a high-performance server networking solution designed to deliver ultra-fast data throughput, scalable virtualization support, and reliable enterprise-grade connectivity. this advanced network adapter is engineered for modern data centers that require high bandwidth, low latency, and efficient workload distribution.

As organizations continue to migrate toward cloud computing, virtualization, and high-density server environments, this quad-port 25 Gigabit Ethernet adapter provides the performance foundation needed for demanding workloads such as virtualization clusters, storage networking, big data analytics, and high-frequency trading systems.

Product Information

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Part Number: UCSC-PCIE-C25Q-04
• Product Type: Network Adapter
• Device Class: Enterprise PCIe Server Networking Card

PCIe 3.0 x16 Benefits

• High-bandwidth communication for enterprise workloads
• Low-latency packet processing
• Improved virtualization efficiency
• Scalable performance for multi-tenant environments

Port Configuration Advantages

• 4x independent 25GbE channels
• Enhanced network redundancy and failover capability
• Optimized virtual machine networking
• Support for high-density server deployments

Supported Media Types

• High-speed optical fiber connections
• Data center interconnect (DCI) networks
• Short-range and long-range fiber modules (dependent on transceiver type)

10GBase-X Features

• Stable 10Gbps data transfer rate
• Compatibility with existing data center networks
• Efficient migration path from 10G to 25G environments

25GBase-X Advantages

• Ultra-fast 25Gbps per port bandwidth
• Reduced latency for real-time applications
• Optimized for virtualization and containerized workloads

Virtualization Benefits

• Dynamic allocation of network resources
• Support for virtual machine density scaling
• Reduced hardware footprint in server environments
• Improved workload isolation and security

Form Factor Advantages

• Standard PCIe server compatibility
• Easy installation and replacement
• Optimized airflow and thermal design

Enterprise Advantages

• Reduced total cost of ownership (TCO)
• Higher server utilization rates
• Improved network efficiency
• Enhanced scalability for future growth

System Integration Benefits

• Unified computing architecture compatibility
• Centralized management support
• Enhanced virtualization orchestration

Cisco UCSC-PCIE-C25Q-04 Quad Port 25GbE PCI-E Interface Card

The Cisco UCSC-PCIE-C25Q-04 Quad Port 25GbE SFP28 PCI-E UCS Virtual Interface Card represents a high-performance networking solution designed for enterprise data centers, cloud infrastructures, and virtualization-intensive computing environments. Built to integrate seamlessly within Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) architectures, this advanced Virtual Interface Card (VIC) delivers scalable, low-latency, and high-bandwidth connectivity through four independent 25 Gigabit Ethernet SFP28 ports. It is engineered to optimize network throughput while maintaining efficiency in virtualized workloads, distributed applications, and high-density server deployments.

As modern IT environments evolve toward hybrid cloud and software-defined infrastructures, the demand for high-speed, flexible, and programmable network interfaces continues to increase. The Cisco UCSC-PCIE-C25Q-04 addresses these requirements by offering a PCI Express-based architecture that enables dynamic allocation of network resources while supporting advanced virtualization technologies such as SR-IOV and Cisco VM-FEX integration. This makes it a cornerstone component in next-generation data center designs where performance, scalability, and operational efficiency are critical.

Architecture and Design of Cisco UCSC-PCIE-C25Q-04

High-Density Quad-Port 25GbE

The quad-port configuration of the Cisco UCSC-PCIE-C25Q-04 provides four independent 25GbE SFP28 interfaces, enabling aggregated bandwidth of up to 100Gbps per adapter. This architecture ensures that workloads requiring parallel data streams, such as virtualization clusters, storage replication systems, and distributed databases, can operate without network bottlenecks. Each port is optimized for low-latency packet processing and efficient traffic handling across multiple virtual machines.

PCI Express Host Interface Integration

The adapter utilizes a high-speed PCI Express interface to connect directly to the host server motherboard. This ensures minimal overhead and maximum throughput between the CPU, memory subsystem, and network interface. The PCIe architecture enables scalable bandwidth allocation and supports advanced features such as lane aggregation, deep buffering, and intelligent packet steering. This tight integration allows the Cisco UCS VIC to function as a unified extension of the server’s compute and networking capabilities.

Optimized Lane Utilization

The PCIe lane distribution is designed for balanced throughput and reduced congestion, ensuring that each SFP28 port operates at full capacity even under heavy traffic loads. This is particularly important for workloads involving real-time analytics, virtualization migration, and high-speed storage access.

Virtual Interface Card (VIC) Technology

Unified Network Virtualization

At the core of the Cisco UCSC-PCIE-C25Q-04 lies Cisco’s Virtual Interface Card technology, which enables the abstraction of physical network interfaces into multiple virtual network interfaces. This allows administrators to allocate network resources dynamically across virtual machines and containers without requiring additional physical adapters. The VIC architecture reduces hardware sprawl while increasing flexibility in network provisioning.

SR-IOV and Virtual Function Support

Single Root I/O Virtualization (SR-IOV) support enables the adapter to present multiple virtual functions per physical port. This significantly enhances network efficiency in virtualized environments by reducing hypervisor overhead and improving direct I/O access. Each virtual machine can be assigned dedicated bandwidth and isolated network paths, ensuring consistent performance and enhanced security.

Low-Latency Virtual Networking

By bypassing traditional software-based network switching layers, the VIC architecture reduces latency and improves packet delivery efficiency. This is particularly beneficial for latency-sensitive workloads such as financial trading platforms, real-time analytics engines, and high-frequency data processing systems.

25GbE SFP28 Connectivity and Optical Flexibility

SFP28 Interface Capabilities

The Cisco UCSC-PCIE-C25Q-04 uses SFP28 transceiver modules to deliver 25 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity per port. This allows organizations to deploy a variety of optical and direct-attach copper (DAC) solutions depending on infrastructure requirements. SFP28 technology provides backward compatibility with lower-speed SFP+ ecosystems while delivering significantly increased bandwidth for modern workloads.

Scalable Data Center Networking

With 25GbE becoming a standard in high-performance data centers, this adapter supports scalable leaf-spine network architectures. It allows servers to connect efficiently to top-of-rack switches, aggregation layers, and core networks without introducing congestion or oversubscription issues. The quad-port design further enhances scalability by enabling link aggregation and redundant network paths.

High-Speed Optical Deployment Scenarios

The flexibility of SFP28 modules allows deployment across short-range, medium-range, and long-range optical fiber environments. This makes the Cisco UCSC-PCIE-C25Q-04 suitable for both intra-rack connectivity and cross-data-center communication scenarios where high throughput and low signal degradation are required.

Performance Optimization and Data Throughput

High-Bandwidth Workload Acceleration

Designed for bandwidth-intensive applications, the Cisco UCSC-PCIE-C25Q-04 significantly enhances data throughput performance across multiple computing environments. Whether used in virtualization clusters, storage networking, or distributed cloud platforms, the adapter ensures consistent high-speed data transfer without packet loss or congestion.

Advanced Offload Capabilities

The adapter supports hardware-based offloading functions that reduce CPU utilization by handling networking tasks directly on the VIC hardware. These offloads include checksum processing, segmentation offload, and packet classification, allowing server CPUs to focus on application-level workloads rather than network processing overhead.

Improved Application Efficiency

By reducing CPU involvement in networking operations, system efficiency is improved across multi-tenant environments. This results in better resource utilization, higher VM density per server, and improved responsiveness for mission-critical applications.

Integration with Cisco Unified Computing System

Seamless UCS Compatibility

The Cisco UCSC-PCIE-C25Q-04 is specifically designed for integration with Cisco UCS blade and rack servers. It works in conjunction with UCS Manager to provide centralized management, policy-based provisioning, and automated configuration of network interfaces. This ensures consistent deployment across large-scale infrastructures.

Policy-Based Network Provisioning

Administrators can define network policies that govern bandwidth allocation, VLAN segmentation, and traffic prioritization. These policies are dynamically applied to virtual interfaces, allowing for rapid reconfiguration without physical hardware changes. This enhances operational agility and reduces deployment complexity.

Enterprise Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios

Virtualized Data Center Environments

The Cisco UCSC-PCIE-C25Q-04 is ideally suited for virtualized data centers running hypervisors such as VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, or KVM. Its ability to support multiple virtual interfaces per physical port allows efficient workload distribution across virtual machines, ensuring balanced performance and reduced contention.

Cloud Infrastructure and Hybrid Cloud Architectures

In cloud environments, the adapter enables high-speed communication between compute nodes, storage systems, and network gateways. It supports hybrid cloud architectures where workloads are distributed between on-premises infrastructure and public cloud platforms, ensuring consistent performance across environments.

High-Performance Computing Applications

High-performance computing clusters benefit from the adapter’s low-latency architecture and high-bandwidth capabilities. Applications such as scientific simulations, AI model training, and big data analytics require rapid data exchange between nodes, which this VIC facilitates effectively.

Security and Traffic Management Features

Network Isolation and Segmentation

The Cisco UCSC-PCIE-C25Q-04 supports advanced network segmentation features that isolate traffic between virtual machines and tenants. This enhances security by preventing unauthorized access and reducing the risk of lateral movement within network environments.

Traffic Prioritization and QoS

Quality of Service (QoS) capabilities allow administrators to prioritize critical network traffic over less sensitive data flows. This ensures that latency-sensitive applications receive the necessary bandwidth and network priority even during peak usage periods.

Secure Multi-Tenant Environments

The adapter is well-suited for multi-tenant environments where different departments or customers share the same physical infrastructure. Its virtual interface isolation ensures that each tenant operates within a secure and performance-guaranteed network segment.

Enterprise Operating System Support

The Cisco UCSC-PCIE-C25Q-04 is compatible with major enterprise operating systems including Linux distributions, Windows Server editions, and virtualization hypervisors. Cisco provides dedicated drivers and firmware updates that ensure stability, performance optimization, and feature enhancements over time.

Firmware Upgrade and Lifecycle Management

Firmware updates are managed through UCS infrastructure tools, enabling seamless upgrades without service interruption. This ensures that the adapter remains secure and optimized for evolving network standards and workloads.

Designed for Next-Generation Data Centers

As enterprises transition to higher-speed networking standards, the Cisco UCSC-PCIE-C25Q-04 provides a scalable foundation for future upgrades. Its 25GbE architecture aligns with modern data center trends while offering compatibility with evolving Cisco UCS infrastructure.

Flexible Network Expansion

The quad-port design allows organizations to scale network capacity without requiring additional server expansion. This reduces infrastructure costs while increasing bandwidth availability for critical workloads.