Dell PowerEdge MX9116n
The PowerEdge MX9116n is a 25GbE Fabric Switching Engine designed for the MX7000 modular chassis. Operating in Fabric A and B bays, it delivers non-blocking internal server connectivity, 100GbE uplinks, converged 32Gb Fibre Channel ports, and scalable multi-chassis fabric expansion via SmartFabric Services.
Also written as: PowerEdge MX9116n, Dell MX9116n, MX9116n Fabric Switch
Specifications
| Brand | Dell |
|---|---|
| Family | PowerEdge MX |
| Form factor | 1U fixed switch |
| Released | Sep 2018 |
| Internal ports | 16x 25GbE internal links to compute sleds |
| Uplink ports | 4x 100GbE QSFP28, 2x 100GbE unified QSFP28 ports |
| Ports | 16x 25GbE internal, 4x 100GbE QSFP28, 2x 100GbE unified, 12x Fabric Expander ports |
| Switching capacity | 6.4 Tbps full-duplex throughput |
Works together
How the Dell PowerEdge MX9116n 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 R240 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R340 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R6415 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R740xd2 2U rack
Dell PowerEdge R7415 2U rack
Dell PowerEdge R7425 2U 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 PowerMax 2000 system bay / standard rack
Dell PowerMax 8000 system bay multi-cabinet
Dell PowerProtect DD9900 2U appliance + shelves
Dell Unity XT 380F 2U rack
Dell Unity XT 380XT 2U rack
Dell Unity XT 480F 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 PowerEdge MX9116n.
- 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 is the Scalable Fabric architecture on the MX9116n?
A pair of MX9116n Fabric Switching Engines in a primary chassis can manage and switch network traffic from up to nine additional MX7000 chassis equipped with MX7116n expanders.
Can the MX9116n connect directly to Fibre Channel SAN storage?
Yes, its unified ports support native 32Gb and 16Gb Fibre Channel NPIV gateway functionality into existing Brocade or Cisco MDS SAN fabrics.
Buying or selling MX9116n?
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 MX9116n Product Details, checked 2026-10-27
- Dell PowerEdge MX9116n Technical Documentation, checked 2026-10-27