UCSX-ML-V5D200G-D Cisco Data Optical Fiber 100 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter

The UCSX‑ML‑V5D200G‑D is a high-performance Cisco 100 Gigabit Ethernet (100 GbE) adapter designed for data‑center and enterprise environments requiring ultra‑low latency, exceptional throughput, and flexible deployment options. Leveraging optical fiber, robust manufacturing, and advanced signal processing, this adapter ensures the highest levels of reliability and performance for mission‑critical connectivity.

Key Capabilities and Specifications

Designed for customer environments demanding consistent 100 GbE data rates, the UCSX‑ML‑V5D200G‑D features:

• Support for full 100 GbE over multimode or single‑mode optical fiber, depending on module and optics.
• Multi‑lane PAM4 modulation with coherent detection, offering improved spectral efficiency for dense network environments.
• Compatibility with a wide range of Cisco UCS chassis and UCS servers, engineered for seamless integration.
• Low power consumption typically ranging between 10 and 15 watts under nominal operating loads (exact wattage depends on optics and traffic patterns).
• High MTBF and built‑in diagnostics for proactive monitoring and fault detection, ensuring maximum uptime.

Deployment Scenarios and Environmental Suitability

Enterprises deploying high‑density virtualization clusters, software‑defined networking (SDN), or large‑scale AI/ML workloads will benefit from this adapter’s throughput and low‑latency advantages. Whether connecting Top‑of‑Rack (ToR) leaf switches, spine switches, or inter‑data‑center links, the UCSX‑ML‑V5D200G‑D offers resilient optical performance with extended reach, especially when paired with single‑mode modules, supporting distances up to several kilometers.

Integration with Cisco UCS Ecosystem

Operating within the Cisco UCS portfolio, this adapter works seamlessly with:

UCS Manager Integration

The adapter is fully manageable through Cisco UCS Manager, enabling administrators to:

• Define policies for QoS, lane segmentation, and Ethernet flow control.
• Monitor statistics such as packet counters, error rates, and temperature via the UCS dashboard.
• Perform firmware updates with centralized provisioning tools to ensure adapters are kept up to date.

Interoperability with Cisco Nexus Infrastructure

The UCSX‑ML‑V5D200G‑D is engineered for compatibility with Cisco Nexus platforms like the Nexus 9000 series. It supports emerging features such as Precision Time Protocol (PTP) for synchronized applications, and advanced telemetry options for network monitoring and performance analytics.

Performance and Efficiency Benefits

In high‑performance computing (HPC) environments or hyper‑converged infrastructures, the adapter brings several performance enhancements:

• Consistent line‑rate 100 GbE throughput with minimal jitter across congested fabric.
• Adaptive modulation techniques to maintain signal integrity across varying link conditions.
• Offloaded processing for encapsulation tasks, reducing CPU utilization and freeing compute resources for workload execution.

Latency and Packet Processing

Latency is minimized through optimized packet handling with deep hardware queues and prioritization support. These mechanisms make the UCSX‑ML‑V5D200G‑D ideal for latency‑sensitive workloads such as financial trading platforms, real‑time analytics, or AI inference applications where every microsecond counts.

Optical Fiber Options and Transceiver Compatibility

The adapter supports a variety of optical transceivers, each enabling different distances and fiber types:

• SR (Short‑Reach Multimode): Perfect for connections within racks or adjacent equipment—up to ~100 meters on OM4 fiber.
• LR (Long‑Reach Single‑Mode): For longer links up to 10 km in campus or data‑center campus deployments.
• ER/ZR variants: Extended reach options often supporting 40 km+ or DWDM capabilities, optimal for inter‑site transport.

Choosing the Right Transceiver

When selecting a transceiver, consider:

• The target reach and fiber type in your environment.
• Encryption or DWDM requirements, if bridging between network segments.
• Compatibility with Cisco optics validated for UCS compatibility.

Management, Monitoring, and Diagnostics

Firmware and Software Management

Firmware for the UCSX‑ML‑V5D200G‑D can be updated via Cisco Prime, smart‑call home, or direct access through UCS Manager GUI/CLI. Cisco’s lifecycle controller enables you to push firmware updates to multiple adapters in parallel with minimal downtime.

Telemetry and Real‑Time Monitoring

With support for Cisco’s in‑band and out‑of‑band telemetry (such as streaming Telemetry, SNMP, and IPFIX), data center operators can collect:

• Real‑time statistics on interface utilization and error events.
• Temperature and optical power metrics per lane.
• Trend data for predictive maintenance workflows.

Proactive Diagnostics

Built‑in diagnostics allow automated link tests, adapter resets, and optical health checks without manual intervention. These features accelerate MTTR (mean‑time‑to‑repair) and support high‑availability environments.

Advanced Use Cases and Vertical Applications

High‑Performance Computing (HPC) Clusters

In HPC clusters, the UCSX‑ML‑V5D200G‑D enables rapid node‑to‑node communication with low latency and full bandwidth, critical for workloads like scientific simulations, weather modeling, and parallel compute tasks.

Enterprise Data Centers & Virtualization

Virtualized infrastructures benefit from the adapter’s throughput, especially when hosting large numbers of virtual machines or containers. Techniques like SR‑IOV and hardware offload help deliver near‑bare‑metal network performance.

AI/ML Infrastructure and Big Data Analytics

AI training frameworks and big‑data platforms (like Spark, Hadoop, TensorFlow) require massive bandwidth and low‑latency interconnects. The UCSX‑ML‑V5D200G‑D supports distributed data ingest and synchronization across GPU clusters or storage arrays with optimized data paths.

Reliability, Support, and Lifecycle Considerations

Enterprise‑Grade Reliability

Cisco designs the adapter with redundancy and resilience in mind: hardware watchdog timers, ECC memory buffers, and redundant link detection contribute to stable uptime. Operational environments that require carrier‑grade reliability—such as telecommunications or financial services—will appreciate the robustness.

Support and Warranty

The UCSX‑ML‑V5D200G‑D is typically covered under Cisco’s service contracts (SMARTnet or equivalent), granting access to global technical support, hardware replacement options, and firmware patch distributions.

Lifecycle and Future‑Proofing

As networking requirements evolve, users can upgrade optics, firmware, or leverage higher‑density channels while retaining the same adapter hardware. Cisco’s backwards compatibility and continued UCS platform support prolong the lifecycle of this investment.