Cisco CAI-GPU-L40S | L40S 48GB GDDR6 GPU, 350W TDP, PCIe 4.0 x16, Passive

Q: Which Cisco UCS servers support the CAI-GPU-L40S?
A: The CAI-GPU-L40S is compatible with Cisco UCS C845A M8 AI rack servers and can be deployed in configurations supporting 2, 4, 6, or 8 GPUs. It is also supported in Cisco UCS X-Series modular systems via the X440p PCIe Node with X-Fabric technology, enabling PCIe Gen4 GPU fabric connectivity.

Q: What workloads is the L40S GPU optimized for?
A: The L40S is optimized for generative AI and large language model (LLM) inference and training, 3D graphics rendering, video encoding and transcoding, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), AI-enhanced content creation, scientific visualization, and mixed AI/graphics pipelines in enterprise data center environments.

Q: Does the L40S require active cooling or special power considerations?
A: The L40S features passive cooling and requires adequate server chassis airflow for thermal management. With a 350W TDP, ensure your server power supply and PCIe slot support the full power delivery requirements. Cisco UCS servers designed for GPU workloads provide appropriate airflow and power infrastructure.

Q: How does the L40S compare to the previous generation L40?
A: The L40S delivers nearly double the TF32 Tensor Core TFLOPS and FP16 Tensor Core performance compared to the L40. It increases maximum power from 300W to 350W and adds fourth-generation Tensor Cores with Transformer Engine support and FP8 precision for enhanced AI inference and training performance.

Q: What software and virtualization platforms are supported?
A: The L40S supports NVIDIA vGPU software for virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and application virtualization, NVIDIA AI Enterprise for production AI workloads, and is compatible with major AI frameworks including PyTorch, TensorFlow, and NVIDIA NeMo. It integrates with VMware vSphere, Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, and other enterprise virtualization platforms.