Dell PowerEdge MX5108n
The PowerEdge MX5108n is an integrated Ethernet I/O switch module built for standalone, single-chassis MX7000 deployments. Powered by Dell SmartFabric OS10, it supplies internal 25GbE server ports alongside versatile 100GbE, 40GbE, and 10GBase-T external uplinks without requiring external top-of-rack switches.
Also written as: PowerEdge MX5108n, Dell MX5108n, MX5108n Ethernet Switch
Specifications
| Brand | Dell |
|---|---|
| Family | PowerEdge MX |
| Form factor | 1U fixed switch |
| Released | Sep 2018 |
| Internal ports | 8x 25GbE internal ports to compute sleds |
| Ports | 8x 25GbE internal ports, 2x 100GbE QSFP28, 1x 40GbE QSFP+, 4x 10GBase-T ports |
| Switching capacity | 960 Gbps throughput |
Works together
How the Dell PowerEdge MX5108n connects to servers, storage and the network: 3 ways, with the parts and products on each path.
iSCSI and NVMe/TCP over Ethernet
Keep the speed the same at all three points: a 25GbE server, a 25GbE switch port and a 25GbE array port. Mixed speeds work but the slowest link sets the pace.
Servers
Dell PowerEdge R240 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R340 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R740xd2 2U rack
Dell PowerEdge R840 2U rack
Dell PowerEdge R940xa 4U rack
Dell PowerEdge R6515 1U rack
Adapters for the server
540-BBGY Dell Broadcom 57414 Dual Port 10/25GbE SFP28 PCIe Low Profile Network Adapter
540-BBHB Dell Broadcom 57414 Dual Port 10/25GbE SFP28 OCP 3.0 Mezzanine Network Adapter
540-BBJL Dell Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx Dual Port 25GbE SFP28 Network Daughter Card (rNDC)
540-BCND Dell Mellanox ConnectX-6 Lx Dual Port 25GbE SFP28 PCIe Adapter
Storage
Dell Isilon F810 4U 4-node chassis
Dell PowerProtect DD6400 2U appliance
Dell PowerProtect DD6900 2U appliance + shelves
Dell PowerProtect DD9400 2U appliance + shelves
Dell PowerProtect DD9900 2U appliance + shelves
Dell Unity XT 380F 2U rack
Optics
407-BBOY Dell 100GbE QSFP28 SR4 Optical Transceiver (850nm, 100m MPO-12)
407-BCBF Dell 25GbE SFP28 SR Optical Transceiver (850nm, 100m MMF)
QSFP-100G-CWDM4-AR Arista 100GBASE-CWDM4 QSFP28 Optical Transceiver Module
File storage (NFS and SMB)
Front-end ports face the clients; back-end ports (on scale-out systems) connect the nodes to each other and need their own switch pair.
Servers
- Dell PowerEdge R240 1U rack
- Dell PowerEdge R340 1U rack
- Dell PowerEdge R740xd2 2U rack
- Dell PowerEdge R840 2U rack
- Dell PowerEdge R940xa 4U rack
- Dell PowerEdge R6515 1U rack
Adapters for the server
- 540-BBGY Dell Broadcom 57414 Dual Port 10/25GbE SFP28 PCIe Low Profile Network Adapter
- 540-BBHB Dell Broadcom 57414 Dual Port 10/25GbE SFP28 OCP 3.0 Mezzanine Network Adapter
- 540-BBJL Dell Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx Dual Port 25GbE SFP28 Network Daughter Card (rNDC)
- 540-BCND Dell Mellanox ConnectX-6 Lx Dual Port 25GbE SFP28 PCIe Adapter
Storage
- Dell Isilon F810 4U 4-node chassis
- Dell Unity XT 380F 2U rack
Dell Unity XT 380XT 2U rack
Dell Unity XT 480F 2U rack
Dell Unity XT 480XT 2U rack
Dell Unity XT 680F 2U rack
Optics
- 407-BBOY Dell 100GbE QSFP28 SR4 Optical Transceiver (850nm, 100m MPO-12)
- 407-BCBF Dell 25GbE SFP28 SR Optical Transceiver (850nm, 100m MMF)
- QSFP-100G-CWDM4-AR Arista 100GBASE-CWDM4 QSFP28 Optical Transceiver Module
Hyperconverged cluster
Plan at least two 25GbE ports per node to two switches; all-NVMe clusters often move to 100GbE.
HCI nodes
Dell VxRail E560F 1U rack
Dell VxRail G560 2U 4-node chassis
Dell VxRail G560F 2U 4-node chassis
Dell VxRail E560N 1U rack
Adapters for the server
- 540-BBGY Dell Broadcom 57414 Dual Port 10/25GbE SFP28 PCIe Low Profile Network Adapter
- 540-BBHB Dell Broadcom 57414 Dual Port 10/25GbE SFP28 OCP 3.0 Mezzanine Network Adapter
- 540-BBJL Dell Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx Dual Port 25GbE SFP28 Network Daughter Card (rNDC)
- 540-BCND Dell Mellanox ConnectX-6 Lx Dual Port 25GbE SFP28 PCIe Adapter
Optics
- 407-BBOY Dell 100GbE QSFP28 SR4 Optical Transceiver (850nm, 100m MPO-12)
- 407-BCBF Dell 25GbE SFP28 SR Optical Transceiver (850nm, 100m MMF)
- QSFP-100G-CWDM4-AR Arista 100GBASE-CWDM4 QSFP28 Optical Transceiver Module
Plan and size it
- Draw this setup in the topology planner mrplanb.com
- Add up rack power and space rack-density.com
- iSCSI explained mrplanb.com
- Virtualization storage Ledger: scored storage platforms mrplanb.com
- Network monitoring tools compared 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 PowerEdge MX5108n.
- 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
FAQ
What deployment scenarios are best suited for the MX5108n?
The MX5108n is tailored for standalone single-chassis MX7000 setups that do not require multi-chassis scalable fabric expanders but require mixed 100G and 10G uplinks.
What operating system runs on the MX5108n?
It runs Dell SmartFabric OS10, supporting both autonomous CLI-based switching and automated zero-touch SmartFabric Services.
Buying or selling MX5108n?
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 PowerEdge MX5108n Product Details, checked 2026-10-27
- Dell PowerEdge MX5108n Technical Documentation, checked 2026-10-27