Dell Connectrix ED-DCX6-8B
The Dell Connectrix ED-DCX6-8B is a premier 14U 8-slot enterprise director chassis based on the Brocade X6-8 platform. Architected for the world's largest storage fabrics, it supports up to 512 32Gb/s FC ports and provides massive 20.48 Tbps backplane switching, hitless controller failovers, and deep fabric diagnostics to safeguard mission-critical transactional banking and healthcare SANs.
Also written as: Connectrix ED-DCX6-8B, Dell Connectrix ED-DCX6-8B, DCX6-8B 8-Slot Flagship Director
Specifications
| Brand | Dell |
|---|---|
| Family | Connectrix |
| Form factor | 14U director chassis |
| Released | Sep 2016 |
| Slot count | 8 horizontal port blade slots + 2 Control Processor (CP) slots + 2 Core Routing (CR) slots in 14U |
| Port count | Up to 512x 32Gb/s Fibre Channel ports or 256x 128Gb/s QSFP links |
| Switching bandwidth | 20.48 Tbps aggregate chassis bandwidth |
| Operating system | Brocade Fabric OS (FOS) enterprise director edition |
| Power supply | Quad redundant hot-plug power supplies with dual redundant blower modules |
Generations
- Next generation: Dell Connectrix ED-DCX7-8B
Compatible parts
HBAs
540-BBUU Dell Emulex LPe31002 Dual Port 16Gb Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter
540-BBUV Dell QLogic 2692 Dual Port 16Gb Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter
Transceivers
407-BCBI Dell 32Gb Short Wave SFP28 Fibre Channel Optical Transceiver
407-BCBF Dell 25GbE SFP28 SR Optical Transceiver (850nm, 100m MMF)
Rail kits
770-BCKW Dell ReadyRails II Sliding Rails for 2U PowerEdge Servers (B6)
Works together
How the Dell Connectrix ED-DCX6-8B connects to servers, storage and the network: 1 way, with the parts and products on each path.
Fibre Channel SAN
Match the speed: 16Gb and 32Gb FC HBAs, switches and array ports work together, and each generation also runs one or two speeds below its own (a 32Gb port runs at 16Gb and 8Gb).
Servers
Dell PowerEdge R830 2U rack
Dell PowerEdge C4130 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge C4140 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R230 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R330 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R440 1U rack
Adapters for the server
540-BCMS Dell QLogic 2770 Single Port 32Gb Fibre Channel PCIe Adapter
540-BCMT Dell QLogic 2772 Dual Port 32Gb Fibre Channel PCIe Adapter
540-BCMU Dell Emulex LPe35002 Dual Port 32Gb Fibre Channel PCIe Adapter
540-BDLM Dell Emulex LPe36002 Dual Port 64Gb Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter
Storage
Dell VMAX 950F system bay multi-cabinet
Dell PowerMax 2000 system bay / standard rack
Dell PowerMax 8000 system bay multi-cabinet
Dell PowerVault MD3800i 2U rack
Dell PowerProtect DD9900 2U appliance + shelves
Dell Unity XT 380F 2U rack
Optics
- 407-BCBI Dell 32Gb Short Wave SFP28 Fibre Channel Optical Transceiver
57-1000333-01 Brocade 32G FC SFP+ SWL
DS-SFP-FC32G-LW Cisco 32Gbps Fibre Channel Longwave SFP28 Transceiver
Plan and size it
- Draw this setup in the topology planner mrplanb.com
- Add up rack power and space rack-density.com
- Virtualization storage Ledger: scored storage platforms mrplanb.com
- SAN transport and NVMe over FC for backup mrplanb.com
- Dell E-Lab Navigator (Dell interoperability) dell.com
Check compatibility with Dell
Before you buy, confirm the exact configuration against the vendor's own lists: firmware levels, operating systems, adapters and optics that Dell has tested with the Dell Connectrix ED-DCX6-8B.
- Compatibility Dell E-Lab Navigator (storage and SAN interoperability) (free vendor sign-in)
- Support Dell Support: drivers, manuals and service tag lookup
Equivalent models from other brands
Buying a used Connectrix ED-DCX6-8B: what to check
Verify Control Processor and Core Routing card redundancy, inspect 8 blade slots for pin damage, test blower cooling trays, confirm quad high-voltage power supplies, and check licensed port counts.
FAQ
What port blades are compatible with the ED-DCX6-8B?
32Gb 48-port SFP+ blades, 32Gb 64-port QSFP density blades, and SX6 extension blades for WAN replication.
Can two ED-DCX6-8B directors be interlinked directly?
Yes, using high-speed Inter-Chassis Links (ICLs) via optical QSFP cables without consuming front-panel host ports.
Buying or selling Connectrix ED-DCX6-8B?
New, refurbished or used. Tell us the quantity and condition and we connect you with a vetted reseller in your region, usually within one working day.
Sources
- Dell Connectrix Director Spec Sheet, checked 2026-10-27