540-BBYT: Dell Broadcom 5720 Dual Port 1GbE BASE-T RJ45 OCP 3.0 Adapter
Also listed as: 036NXF, 36NXF · made by Broadcom
The Dell 540-BBYT is a Dell Broadcom 5720 Dual Port 1GbE BASE-T RJ45 OCP 3.0 Adapter delivering 1GbE network connectivity across 2x 1GbE RJ45 via PCIe 2.0 x2 OCP 3.0 SFF. Built with Broadcom controller architecture, the 540-BBYT provides hardware offload acceleration and virtualization support for R740, R640, R750, R650 enterprise servers.
Specifications
| Part number | 540-BBYT |
|---|---|
| Brand | Dell |
| Made by | Broadcom |
| Type | OCP adapters |
| Other numbers | 036NXF, 36NXF |
| Status | current |
| Interface | PCIe 2.0 x2 OCP 3.0 SFF |
| Form factor | OCP 3.0 Small Form Factor |
| Ports | 2x 1GbE RJ45 |
| Speed | 1GbE |
| Tdp (W) | 3 |
About the 540-BBYT
The Dell 540-BBYT is a Dell Broadcom 5720 Dual Port 1GbE BASE-T RJ45 OCP 3.0 Adapter engineered to deliver 1GbE network transmission across 2x 1GbE RJ45 over PCIe 2.0 x2 OCP 3.0 SFF. Powered by Broadcom controller architecture on the 540-BBYT, it executes hardware-level protocol processing, RoCE, and SR-IOV virtualization while maintaining a thermal envelope of approximately 3W. In Dell's networking portfolio, 540-BBYT provides dedicated high-bandwidth fabric connectivity for clustered virtualization, network storage, and enterprise database hosts.
Compatibility
Engineered for Dell PowerEdge servers including R740, R640, R750, R650, the 540-BBYT mounts directly into OCP 3.0 Small Form Factor locations. The 540-BBYT slides into the rear OCP 3.0 mezzanine bay with an ejection latch, preserving PCIe riser slots. Cabling the 540-BBYT requires 1GbE-rated media, including direct attach copper twinaxial assemblies, optical transceivers, or patch leads matched to its physical ports. Supported operating systems on the 540-BBYT include VMware ESXi, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and Windows Server with native Dell drivers.
How to identify a genuine unit
Authentic Dell 540-BBYT units carry an identification label displaying DP/N 036NXF and Broadcom model code 36NXF along with Dell regulatory marks. In iDRAC Network Devices inventory, the card registers under part number 540-BBYT with active link state, port MAC addresses, negotiated speed, and certified Dell firmware. Onboard physical indicators on the 540-BBYT provide link status and port activity monitoring.
Buying used
When purchasing a pre-owned 540-BBYT, examine the gold edge connector fingers for scratches, peeling contacts, or missing surface-mount capacitors. Ensure that the 540-BBYT OCP pull-latch mechanism is intact and properly aligned for chassis installation. Validate in iDRAC Lifecycle Controller that the 540-BBYT is recognized with certified Dell firmware and passes diagnostics under sustained 1GbE network traffic.
Fits these models
- Dell PowerEdge R740
- Dell PowerEdge R640
- Dell PowerEdge R750
- Dell PowerEdge R650
- Dell PowerEdge R550
- Dell PowerEdge R450
- Dell PowerEdge R350
Equivalent part numbers
- Broadcom NetXtreme 5720 Dual-Port OCP Broadcom BCM5720 Gigabit Ethernet controller OCP 3.0 OEM base
FAQ
Does this card support PXE network booting?
Yes, standard legacy BIOS and modern UEFI PXE network boot environments are fully supported.
Can iDRAC share these network ports?
Yes, NC-SI protocol support allows iDRAC to share one of the 1GbE RJ45 physical ports.
Buying or selling 540-BBYT?
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 Broadcom 5720 Dual Port 1GbE BASE-T OCP 3.0 Adapter Specifications, checked 2026-10-27