540-BCVE: Dell NVIDIA Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI Single Port 200Gb/s HDR InfiniBand / 200GbE PCIe Adapter
Also listed as: 03W78M, 3W78M, MCX653105A-HDAT, ConnectX-6 VPI Single 200G · made by NVIDIA
The Dell 540-BCVE is a Dell NVIDIA Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI Single Port 200Gb/s HDR InfiniBand / 200GbE PCIe Adapter delivering 200Gb/s HDR / 200GbE network connectivity across 1x 200Gb/s QSFP56 (HDR InfiniBand / 200GbE) via PCIe 4.0 x16. Built with NVIDIA controller architecture, the 540-BCVE provides hardware offload acceleration and virtualization support for R750, R650, R760, R660 enterprise servers.
Specifications
| Part number | 540-BCVE |
|---|---|
| Brand | Dell |
| Made by | NVIDIA |
| Type | Network adapters |
| Other numbers | 03W78M, 3W78M, MCX653105A-HDAT, ConnectX-6 VPI Single 200G |
| Status | current |
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| Form factor | FHHL / LPHL PCIe Adapter |
| Ports | 1x 200Gb/s QSFP56 (HDR InfiniBand / 200GbE) |
| Speed | 200Gb/s HDR / 200GbE |
| Tdp (W) | 19 |
About the 540-BCVE
The Dell 540-BCVE is a Dell NVIDIA Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI Single Port 200Gb/s HDR InfiniBand / 200GbE PCIe Adapter engineered to deliver 200Gb/s HDR / 200GbE network transmission across 1x 200Gb/s QSFP56 (HDR InfiniBand / 200GbE) over PCIe 4.0 x16. Powered by NVIDIA controller architecture on the 540-BCVE, it executes hardware-level protocol processing, RoCE, and SR-IOV virtualization while maintaining a thermal envelope of approximately 19W. In Dell's networking portfolio, 540-BCVE provides dedicated high-bandwidth fabric connectivity for clustered virtualization, network storage, and enterprise database hosts.
Compatibility
Engineered for Dell PowerEdge servers including R750, R650, R760, R660, the 540-BCVE mounts directly into FHHL / LPHL PCIe Adapter locations. The 540-BCVE installs into a standard PCIe 4.0 x16 expansion riser slot with matching bracket profile. Cabling the 540-BCVE requires 200Gb/s HDR / 200GbE-rated media, including direct attach copper twinaxial assemblies, optical transceivers, or patch leads matched to its physical ports. Supported operating systems on the 540-BCVE include VMware ESXi, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and Windows Server with native Dell drivers.
How to identify a genuine unit
Authentic Dell 540-BCVE units carry an identification label displaying DP/N 03W78M and NVIDIA model code MCX653105A-HDAT along with Dell regulatory marks. In iDRAC Network Devices inventory, the card registers under part number 540-BCVE with active link state, port MAC addresses, negotiated speed, and certified Dell firmware. Onboard physical indicators on the 540-BCVE provide link status and port activity monitoring.
Buying used
When purchasing a pre-owned 540-BCVE, examine the gold edge connector fingers for scratches, peeling contacts, or missing surface-mount capacitors. Ensure that the 540-BCVE PCIe mounting bracket (low-profile or full-height) is intact and properly aligned for chassis installation. Validate in iDRAC Lifecycle Controller that the 540-BCVE is recognized with certified Dell firmware and passes diagnostics under sustained 200Gb/s HDR / 200GbE network traffic.
Fits these models
Works together
How the Dell 540-BCVE connects to servers, storage and the network: 2 ways, with the hardware on each path.
GPU cluster fabric
InfiniBand adapters and switches must match the generation: HDR is 200Gb, NDR is 400Gb. VPI adapters such as ConnectX-6 and ConnectX-7 can run either InfiniBand or Ethernet.
GPUs
AMD Instinct MI210 PCIe 4.0 dual-slot full-height full-length
AMD Instinct MI300X OAM (OCP Accelerator Module)
NVIDIA Data Center GPU H100 PCIe 80GB PCIe 5.0 dual-slot full-height full-length
NVIDIA Data Center GPU H100 SXM5 80GB SXM5 module
Switches
arista 7060X 7060DX4-32 1U fixed switch
arista 7060X6-32D 1U fixed switch
arista 7280R 7280CR3-32D4 2U fixed switch
arista 7280R 7280CR3-32P4 2U fixed switch
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.
Switches
Dell PowerSwitch S5248F-ON 1U rack
arista 7260X 7260CX3-64 2U fixed switch
arista 7280R 7280SR3-48YC8 1U fixed switch
cisco Nexus 3000 Nexus 31108PC-V 1U fixed switch
Storage
HPE Alletra Storage MP 2U rack
Optics
MMA1T00-HS NVIDIA HDR 200Gb/s QSFP56 MPO Optical Transceiver
Plan and size it
- Draw this setup in the topology planner mrplanb.com
- Tokens per kWh calculator for GPU racks rack-density.com
- Add up rack power and space rack-density.com
- Power, cooling and racks for dense GPU servers 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 540-BCVE.
- Compatibility Dell E-Lab Navigator (storage and SAN interoperability) (free vendor sign-in)
- Support Dell Support: drivers, manuals and service tag lookup
Equivalent part numbers
- NVIDIA MCX653105A-HDAT ConnectX-6 VPI HDR 200Gb/s Single-Port QSFP56 PCIe OEM base
Buying or selling 540-BCVE?
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 Mellanox ConnectX-6 VPI Single Port 200Gb/s Specifications, checked 2026-10-27