540-BDBX: Dell NVIDIA Mellanox ConnectX-6 Dx Dual Port 100GbE QSFP56 PCIe Adapter

Also listed as: 08N6PF, 8N6PF, MCX623106AN-CDAT, ConnectX-6 Dx PCIe · made by NVIDIA

The Dell 540-BDBX is a Dell NVIDIA Mellanox ConnectX-6 Dx Dual Port 100GbE QSFP56 PCIe Adapter delivering 100GbE network connectivity across 2x 100GbE QSFP56 / QSFP28 via PCIe 4.0 x16. Built with NVIDIA controller architecture, the 540-BDBX provides hardware offload acceleration and virtualization support for R750, R650, R760, R660 enterprise servers.

Specifications

About the 540-BDBX

The Dell 540-BDBX is a Dell NVIDIA Mellanox ConnectX-6 Dx Dual Port 100GbE QSFP56 PCIe Adapter engineered to deliver 100GbE network transmission across 2x 100GbE QSFP56 / QSFP28 over PCIe 4.0 x16. Powered by NVIDIA controller architecture on the 540-BDBX, it executes hardware-level protocol processing, RoCE, and SR-IOV virtualization while maintaining a thermal envelope of approximately 22W. In Dell's networking portfolio, 540-BDBX 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-BDBX mounts directly into FHHL / LPHL PCIe Adapter locations. The 540-BDBX installs into a standard PCIe 4.0 x16 expansion riser slot with matching bracket profile. Cabling the 540-BDBX requires 100GbE-rated media, including direct attach copper twinaxial assemblies, optical transceivers, or patch leads matched to its physical ports. Supported operating systems on the 540-BDBX include VMware ESXi, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and Windows Server with native Dell drivers.

How to identify a genuine unit

Authentic Dell 540-BDBX units carry an identification label displaying DP/N 08N6PF and NVIDIA model code MCX623106AN-CDAT along with Dell regulatory marks. In iDRAC Network Devices inventory, the card registers under part number 540-BDBX with active link state, port MAC addresses, negotiated speed, and certified Dell firmware. Onboard physical indicators on the 540-BDBX provide link status and port activity monitoring.

Buying used

When purchasing a pre-owned 540-BDBX, examine the gold edge connector fingers for scratches, peeling contacts, or missing surface-mount capacitors. Ensure that the 540-BDBX PCIe mounting bracket (low-profile or full-height) is intact and properly aligned for chassis installation. Validate in iDRAC Lifecycle Controller that the 540-BDBX is recognized with certified Dell firmware and passes diagnostics under sustained 100GbE network traffic.

Fits these models

• Dell PowerEdge R750
• Dell PowerEdge R650
• Dell PowerEdge R760
• Dell PowerEdge R660
• Dell PowerEdge XE8545

Works together

How the Dell 540-BDBX connects to servers, storage and the network: 3 ways, with the hardware on each path.

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 540-BDBX.

• 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 MCX623106AN-CDAT NVIDIA ConnectX-6 Dx EN Dual-Port 100GbE QSFP56 PCIe 4.0 x16 Ethernet Network Adapter ConnectX-6 Dx EN 100GbE Dual-Port QSFP56 PCIe OEM base

Sources

• Dell Mellanox ConnectX-6 Dx 100GbE Adapter Specifications, checked 2026-10-27