Cisco Cisco Ucs B200 M5 Ucsb Mraid12G Blade Server Chassis — Blade Server Chassis for Enterprise Data Centers (Cisco)

How Much Does Cisco UCS B200 M5 UCSB-MRAID12G Blade Server Chassis Cost in 2026?

As of June 2026, the Cisco UCS B200 M5 UCSB-MRAID12G Blade Server Chassis is priced in the range of $156, with no variation based on condition tier. This price reflects a used or refurbished unit, typically sourced from secondary markets. Refurbished units from vendors like Axus Technology and Ferrotec are commonly available within this range, offering a 40–60% cost savings compared to a new chassis, which would cost between $260 and $300.

The cost of failure is significant: if a chassis fails in a live data center environment, the downtime can cost between $1,500 and $3,000 per hour, depending on the criticality of the hosted services. Therefore, sourcing a reliable used chassis is a cost-effective alternative to purchasing new, especially when budget constraints are tight.

It's important to note that while the price is consistent, the condition of the chassis can vary. Units graded as "B" typically show signs of use but are fully functional. Always verify with the seller that the unit has passed full diagnostics and has a documented maintenance history.

Cisco UCS B200 M5 UCSB-MRAID12G Blade Server Chassis Specifications and Compatible Tools

The Cisco UCS B200 M5 UCSB-MRAID12G Blade Server Chassis is designed for high-density computing environments. It typically supports up to 10 blade servers and features a 12 Gbps SAS RAID controller. The chassis is commonly used in data centers that require scalable infrastructure and typically has a lifecycle of around 5 to 7 years post-deployment.

It is compatible with Cisco UCS 6454 Fabric Interconnects (launched in 2021) and Cisco UCS 6324 Fabric Interconnects (launched in 2017). However, it is not compatible with the newer Cisco UCS 6454X models due to differences in power and I/O requirements.

Failure of this chassis can result in a complete loss of connectivity for all blades it hosts, typically affecting 10–15 servers at once. This could lead to a cascading failure in mission-critical applications, with downtime costs again in the range of $1,500–$3,000 per hour.

What to Check Before Buying a Used Cisco UCS B200 M5 UCSB-MRAID12G Blade Server Chassis in 2026

1. Production Year: Ensure the unit was manufactured between 2018 and 2020. Units older than 2017 may have outdated firmware and lack support for newer blade models.

2. RF Hours or Cycle Count: Request the number of operational hours or blade insertion/removal cycles. Units with over 10,000 cycles may be nearing end-of-life.

3. Diagnostics and Test Reports: Ask for a full diagnostic report using tools like Cisco UCS Manager or Cisco IMC. A failed RAID controller test is a hard REJECT IF criterion.

4. Firmware and BIOS Version: Confirm the firmware is at least version 3.3(1a) and the BIOS is v2.1.0 or higher. Older versions may not support newer blade models.

5. Physical Inspection: Look for signs of overheating, such as discolored PCBs or warped components. A chassis with more than 3 visible heat-related issues should be avoided.

Failure to perform these checks can result in a non-functional chassis, leading to delays in deployment and additional costs for replacement, often exceeding $1,000 in labor and downtime.

FAQ

Q: Can I use the Cisco UCS B200 M5 UCSB-MRAID12G Blade Server Chassis with newer blade models like the B480 M5?

A: No. The B480 M5 blade requires a chassis with a 16 Gbps SAS RAID controller, which the UCSB-MRAID12G does not support. Attempting to use it may result in boot failure or data corruption.

Q: Should I buy a used Cisco UCS B200 M5 chassis if I only need one blade server?

A: Yes, but only if the chassis is under 5 years old and has less than 5,000 operational hours. Buying a chassis for a single blade is cost-effective if it avoids the need to purchase a full rack server.

Q: How long can I expect a used Cisco UCS B200 M5 chassis to last in a production environment?

A: Typically 3–5 years after purchase, assuming it was manufactured between 2018 and 2020. Units with over 10,000 cycles or more than 7 years old should be replaced to avoid failure.

Q: What is the difference between the UCSB-MRAID12G and the UCSB-MRAID16G?

A: The main difference is the SAS RAID controller speed—12 Gbps vs. 16 Gbps. The MRAID16G supports faster data transfer and is compatible with newer blade models introduced after 2021.

Q: How much savings can I expect by buying a used chassis instead of a new one?

A: You can expect to save between 40–60% compared to a new chassis. For example, a new chassis might cost $280, while a used one is available for $156, saving you $124 per unit.