Cisco UCS X-Series vs. IBM Z

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Cisco UCS X-Series
Score 8.4 out of 10
N/A
The Cisco UCS X-Series is a modular system designed for adaptability to simplify IT processes and enable quick innovation. The flexibility of the system provides users with the right-size infrastructure for the workload and enables operations with the efficiency and predictable TCO needed.N/A
IBM Z
Score 9.3 out of 10
N/A
IBM Z is the company's mainframe enterprise server solution product line.N/A
Pricing
Cisco UCS X-SeriesIBM Z
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Cisco UCS X-SeriesIBM Z
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeOptional
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Best Alternatives
Cisco UCS X-SeriesIBM Z
Small Businesses
Dell PowerEdge R
Dell PowerEdge R
Score 8.6 out of 10
Dell PowerEdge R
Dell PowerEdge R
Score 8.6 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
HPE ProLiant DL
HPE ProLiant DL
Score 7.4 out of 10
HPE ProLiant DL
HPE ProLiant DL
Score 7.4 out of 10
Enterprises
IBM Z
IBM Z
Score 9.3 out of 10
IBM Power servers
IBM Power servers
Score 9.1 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Cisco UCS X-SeriesIBM Z
Likelihood to Recommend
8.4
(9 ratings)
9.7
(42 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(3 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
4.0
(2 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(3 ratings)
In-Person Training
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(1 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(2 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Professional Services
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
Cisco UCS X-SeriesIBM Z
Likelihood to Recommend
Cisco
I have experienced great services from this platform in both cloud and on-premise. It has streamlined technology in all our cloud servers providing operational centre for any kind of data. It has enhanced effective networking program that controls workflows in the entire organization. The modular system gives predictive insights that helps us to prepare for future and avoid any risks that can lead to drawback.
Read full review
IBM
Most of the time, server utilization is reliable and stable during peak times. Truly amazing, this product offers a lot and gets it done in no time without any confusion.It is reliable, too accurate and the performance is top-notch. It seems to be competitive in all virtual energy systems and its connectivity is also good. It's available at a low cost, but it's enough to have as many low-cost, more efficient systems as possible. It's a minor thing, but very rarely, it can cause work interruptions while it can get stuck due to more frequent use such as restless work. These power servers are very efficient and really help when things go wrong. I am using this product to retrieve data much faster.
Read full review
Pros
Cisco
  • Cisco Provide the Centralized management to collect all information.
  • Easy User Interface to use and execute the daily routine operation.
  • Performance and stability are much better.
Read full review
IBM
  • Virtualization for Scale-Out and Scale-Up in the same footprint
  • Security for different workloads: Large Confidential Computing and lightweight Secure Execution
  • Performance is a true game changer: extreme throughput powered by amazingly huge caches.
  • The one and only FIPS 140-2 Level 4 HSM on this planet
  • Quantum Safe Encryption NOW!
  • AI infusion to every transaction
Read full review
Cons
Cisco
  • Full featured Intersight
  • 1 slot, 4 socket blades.
  • OS deployment without a license
Read full review
IBM
  • It would be good if IBM could demonstrate more use cases for Z to potential clients
  • A migration strategy from Open Systems to Z would be helpful
  • Any additional marketing to could explain the benefits of Z/Linux, especially now that RedHat is in the mix.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
Cisco
No answers on this topic
IBM
The IBM Z mainframe capabilities are unmatched for cloud readiness and optimization the learning capabilities are matched perfectly with Watson and the expandability of the cloud makes it a perfect choice.
Read full review
Usability
Cisco
No answers on this topic
IBM
Once you learn how, it easy. It's different than most other systems
Read full review
Reliability and Availability
Cisco
No answers on this topic
IBM
The Z in IBM Z is for zero down time. If you configure your system according to IBM's best practices, you can achieve zero downtime
Read full review
Performance
Cisco
No answers on this topic
IBM
Performance is a major part when you configure your system. IBM has many tools to study your system and suggest the appropriate configuration. With the right contract, you can add processing power dynamically and remove it when no longer needed
Read full review
Support Rating
Cisco
No answers on this topic
IBM
Support is usually superb, only occasionally dropping to very good. We participate in some of the CD (Continuous Delivery) aspects of z/OS, IMS, MQ, and DB2.
Read full review
In-Person Training
Cisco
No answers on this topic
IBM
Over my 33 years on this platform, I attended many in person courses, conferences, and other training opportunities.
Read full review
Online Training
Cisco
No answers on this topic
IBM
There are many online courses from both IBM and other vendors. Most are great. All of the documentation is available online.
Read full review
Implementation Rating
Cisco
No answers on this topic
IBM
I do not personally have any key insights regarding implementation of IBM Z Enterprise Servers as that is what our mainframe architects do.
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
Cisco
There are good use cases for both technologies, and each will have its place, UCS X-Series is good when looking at additional or external Storage solutions, and scalable computing performance in a compact form factor. Cisco HX is good for incorporating Compute and Storage in single ease of use form factor.
Read full review
IBM
IBM Z is the best storage solution as it provides the best in class data protection with the cryptographic hardware keys, no loss in data while migration, and a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for develops to understand and has less of a learning curve. This makes it well above the competition.
Read full review
Scalability
Cisco
No answers on this topic
IBM
If you need more processing power, just add more CPU's or memory. The largest system can have close to 200 CPU's and 40 TB of memory. If that is not enough, you can add more physical computers, and connect them using a sysplex
Read full review
Return on Investment
Cisco
  • Positive impacts for building VM based workloads
  • Great impacts for building the next genration of apps running in microservices
  • Positive impacts in management and extensibility
Read full review
IBM
  • With IBM Z we really feel a different positive impact on our company. A trustworthy and the most powerful place we have ever.
  • A unique computing platform that helps a lot for the progress of our company.
  • It keeps our data save, encrypted.
Read full review
ScreenShots