
( Brand: Cisco ), ( Manufacturer Part Number: UCSC-C3X60-R4GB ), ( Part Type: Controller Card Battery ), ( Unit Type: Unit )
The **Cisco UCSC-C3x60-R4GB SAS 12Gb/s RAID Controller Card with 4GB Cache and Battery Backup (Part Number: 68-5522-03)** is a high-performance, enterprise-grade storage solution designed to deliver uncompromising reliability, speed, and efficiency for Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) servers. Engineered to meet the demanding requirements of modern data centers, this RAID card integrates seamlessly into the C3000 series servers, providing robust data protection, accelerated I/O performance, and seamless redundancy. Built with a **12Gb/s SAS interface**, it ensures blazing-fast data transfer rates, significantly enhancing the throughput and responsiveness of storage-intensive applications, including virtualization, databases, and high-performance computing workloads. The **4GB of non-volatile cache memory** accelerates read/write operations by caching frequently accessed data, reducing latency and improving overall system performance, while the **RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and 50 configurations** offer flexible data redundancy and fault tolerance options tailored to different operational needs whether prioritizing speed, capacity, or data integrity.
A standout feature of this controller is its **integrated battery backup (68-5522-03)**, which safeguards cached data during unexpected power interruptions, preventing data loss and ensuring critical operations remain uninterrupted. The battery provides a reliable power source to flush cached data to disk, maintaining data consistency even in the event of a sudden power failure. This card is also equipped with **Cisco s UCS RAID Manager**, a user-friendly interface that simplifies RAID configuration, monitoring, and management, allowing administrators to optimize storage performance and health with minimal effort. With its **low-profile design**, it fits effortlessly into the UCS C3000 series servers, maximizing space efficiency without compromising on performance. Whether deployed in a small business environment or a large-scale enterprise data center, this RAID controller card delivers a perfect blend of speed, reliability, and scalability, making it an indispensable component for any infrastructure requiring high-performance storage solutions.
Buying the **Cisco UCS C3X60-R4GB SAS 12Gb/s RAID Controller Card with 4GB Cache and Battery Backup (Part Number: 68-5522-03)** for a Cisco UCS C-Series server has several advantages and disadvantages, depending on your use case, budget, and infrastructure requirements.
### **Pros:**1. **Performance and Reliability**
The 12Gb/s SAS interface provides significantly faster data transfer speeds compared to older 6Gb/s controllers, improving I/O performance for storage-intensive workloads such as databases, virtualization, or high-end applications. The RAID 1 0 (RAID 10) configuration ensures data redundancy and fault tolerance, reducing the risk of data loss from disk failures.
2. **Compatibility with Cisco UCS C-Series Servers**
This controller is designed specifically for Cisco UCS C-Series servers (such as the C380, C480, C240, etc.), ensuring seamless integration with the server s hardware and management tools like Cisco UCS Manager. It supports Cisco s Unified Computing System ecosystem, which simplifies administration and scalability.
3. **Hot-Swap and Redundancy Features**
The controller includes a battery backup module (BBU) that maintains cache contents during power outages, preventing data loss during unexpected shutdowns. The 4GB cache improves write performance by buffering data before it reaches the disks. Additionally, the controller supports hot-swap drives, allowing for maintenance without downtime.
4. **RAID Support for Data Protection**
The controller supports multiple RAID levels (0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60), allowing you to configure storage arrays based on your needs whether prioritizing performance (RAID 0), redundancy (RAID 1), or a balance of both (RAID 10). This flexibility is useful for environments with varying workload demands.
5. **Enterprise-Grade Durability**
Cisco s hardware is built for enterprise environments, offering long-term reliability and support. The controller is designed to handle high availability workloads, making it suitable for data centers, cloud deployments, or mission-critical applications.
6. **Support for Large Storage Arrays**
The 12Gb/s SAS interface supports larger storage configurations (up to 128 drives per controller, depending on the server model), which is beneficial for storage-heavy applications like virtualization (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V) or large-scale databases.
7. **Compatibility with Cisco s Storage Solutions**
If you re using Cisco s Unified Computing System with external storage (e.g., Cisco UCS Invicta, EMC PowerStore, or NetApp), this controller integrates smoothly with these solutions, providing a cohesive storage architecture.
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### **Cons:**1. **Cost**
This is a premium enterprise-grade component, and the price reflects its advanced features. For smaller deployments or budget-conscious environments, a simpler HBA (Host Bus Adapter) or a basic RAID controller (e.g., 6Gb/s) might be more cost-effective. The cost of the controller, battery backup, and potential licensing (if using Cisco s advanced storage features) can add up quickly.
2. **Overkill for Low-End Workloads**
If your workloads are not storage-intensive (e.g., basic file serving, lightweight virtualization, or general-purpose computing), the performance benefits of 12Gb/s SAS may not be necessary. A cheaper SAS HBA or even a basic RAID controller might suffice, reducing unnecessary expenses.
3. **Complexity in Management**
Cisco UCS servers are powerful but require familiarity with Cisco s management tools (e.g., UCS Manager, Intersight). If your team lacks experience with Cisco s ecosystem, the learning curve for configuring and troubleshooting the RAID controller could be steep. This may require additional training or support resources.
4. **Power and Cooling Considerations**
The C3X60-R4GB controller, like other high-performance RAID cards, consumes more power and generates heat compared to simpler HBAs. In densely populated server racks, this could contribute to higher cooling requirements or power consumption, adding to operational costs.
5. **Limited Longevity of SAS Technology**
While 12Gb/s SAS is still widely used, newer technologies like NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF) or PCIe-based storage (e.g., Cisco UCS Direct Path I/O) are emerging as more scalable and high-performance alternatives for future-proofing. Investing in SAS today might require upgrades sooner than other storage solutions.
6. **Licensing and Software Costs**
Depending on your use case, you may need additional software licenses (e.g., Cisco s Storage Services, VMware vSphere, or hypervisor licenses) to fully utilize the controller s capabilities. These costs can accumulate, especially in large-scale deployments.
7. **Potential for Obsolescence**
Cisco periodically updates its server and storage hardware. While this controller is still supported, future Cisco UCS server models might adopt newer RAID or storage technologies, potentially making this part less relevant over time. Always verify compatibility with your long-term server roadmap.
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### **Conclusion:**The **Cisco UCS C3X60-R4GB SAS 12Gb/s RAID Controller Card with 4GB Cache and Battery Backup** is an excellent choice for **enterprise environments** where **high performance, redundancy, and scalability** are critical. It excels in **virtualization, databases, high-availability workloads, or storage-intensive applications** where data integrity and speed are non-negotiable. The investment is justified if you re already committed to Cisco s UCS ecosystem and need enterprise-grade reliability.
However, if your workloads are **lightweight, budget-constrained, or not storage-heavy**, this controller may be **overkill**, and a simpler SAS HBA or a lower-end RAID card would be more cost-effective. Additionally, if you re planning to adopt **NVMe or newer storage technologies** in the future, this SAS-based solution might require an upgrade sooner rather than later.
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### **Recommendation:** - **Buy this controller if:**- You are deploying **Cisco UCS servers** for **virtualization, databases, or mission-critical applications**.
- You require **high-speed SAS storage (12Gb/s) with RAID redundancy** for fault tolerance.
- Your environment prioritizes **enterprise-grade reliability and scalability**.
- You are already using **Cisco s storage solutions** (e.g., Invicta, EMC PowerStore) and need seamless integration.
- **Avoid or consider alternatives if:**- Your workloads are **not storage-intensive** (e.g., basic file serving, lightweight VMs).
- You are working with a **tight budget** and can achieve similar performance with a **cheaper SAS HBA or 6Gb/s RAID controller**.
- You plan to **transition to NVMe or PCIe-based storage** in the near future, as SAS may become outdated.
- Your team lacks **experience with Cisco UCS management tools**, making administration more complex.
**Alternative Options to Consider:**- **Cisco UCS C3X60-R4GB SAS 6Gb/s Controller** (if 12Gb/s is unnecessary).
- **SAS HBA (e.g., Cisco MELANOX ConnectX-3 or LSI 9207-8i)** for simpler setups without RAID.
- **NVMe-based storage solutions** (e.g., Cisco UCS Direct Path I/O) for future-proofing high-performance workloads.
- **Third-party RAID controllers** (e.g., Dell PERC, HP Smart Array) if Cisco s ecosystem is not a requirement.
Ultimately, weigh the **performance needs, budget, and long-term infrastructure plans** to determine whether this controller aligns with your goals. For most **enterprise UCS deployments**, it remains a strong and reliable choice.
Part Number 2: 68-5522-03. A subset of the primary functions device that an ordinary user expects. Used Poor - Heavy use and age. Product Functionality.
May have light scratches or other minor blemishes from normal wear. You can ship by your FedEx account or label if requested. This Unit has had its Serial Number covered for security. Part numbers and serial verified accurate.
Consumer Electronics: We perform a power and connectivity test as well preliminary inspection to make sure that no harmful beyond cosmetic damage has occurred could impact the use purpose of product. Cosmetic blemishes are consistent with wear, including multiple dents, discoloration, and light to heavy scratches. NON-DATA wiped, no data on drives. Cisco UCSC-C3X60-R4GB SAS 12Gb/s RAID 4GB Controller Card w/Battery 68-5522-03 This Unit is sold as it shown on the pictures.
This Unit was pulled from a working environment. Loaded and configured with original manufacturers legally licensed software for full operation. Function are verified working through manual or software tests. After installation of the Windows operating system, each computer is performance tuned and startup optimized to ensure system integrity under high levels stress.
Minor dents and areas of discoloration from the removal tags. Key Functions Working Appendix C - Test and Repair. New, out of box, unused equipment removed from original packaging with no signs. Refurbished Appendix C Test and Repair.
Overall excellent cosmetic condition. No hardware defects. Fully cleaned and cosmetically repaired with no blemishes. Software may not be loaded or configured.
Specifications Brand: Cisco. Minor cosmetic blemishes have no impact on the systems overall functionality or performance. Collectibles are rare, vintage, and no longer manufactured or supported by the OEM. Repaired with OEM original parts.
Critical parts are missing. May have broken or missing parts. Cosmetic blemishes include minor scratches and/or other surface imperfections from consistent use, but equipment is in good condition. All functions tested and verified working through software tests.
Verified Specialty Electronics Appendix. Used Excellent. No corrosion. Like New Appendix C Test and Repair.
Damages to latches, hinges, keyboards, etc. Cosmetic blemishes are significant, such as multiple heavy dents, may require repair. Damage to latches, hinges, keyboards, etc. Loaded and configured with legally licensed software for full operations.
Used Fair Moderate use and age. No damage to latches or hinges, nor any missing parts, panels, bezels, covers. Part Number: 68-5522-03. No missing parts.
New Open Box. May not include Focus Materials Some parts, panels, bezels, or covers may be missing. New, unused equipment in original packaging where factory seals have been broken.
Cosmetic blemishes include scratches and/or other surface imperfections from consistent use, but equipment is in good condition overall. Minor wear of labeling may be visible. Zero defects. Verified removed from operation with no known defects in functionality.
Fully cleaned with all non-original labels removed. Software not loaded or configured. Hardware Functional Appendix C - Test and Repair. No signs of wear or alteration.
Used Very Good. Network Gear: Our used / refurbished network equipment is port and power on tested. Software test results are available. All hardware is tested and verified working through manual or software tests.
Testing Procedures. Battery that are not working or tested. This Unit has minor wear but been tested without issue to power on and boot. No physical damage or defects.
May be missing components or parts not essential to key functions. Meets OEM specifications for full original functionality. Secondary functions may not be tested or working. This Unit does not come with any cables, accessories, disks, or instructional booklet's.
No hardware or software defects. Used equipment that has been fully restored to like-new condition with warranty. No missing or damaged components parts. Are prevalent.
Model: UCSC-C3X60-R4GB. This Unit was previously used and may show some signs of wear.