540-BDCP: Dell Broadcom 57508 Dual Port 100GbE QSFP56 PCIe Gen4 Adapter

Also listed as: 05W9T8, 5W9T8, BCM57508-2P, BCM957508A5080G · made by Broadcom

The Dell 540-BDCP is a Dell Broadcom 57508 Dual Port 100GbE QSFP56 PCIe Gen4 Adapter delivering 100GbE network connectivity across 2x 100GbE QSFP56 / QSFP28 via PCIe 4.0 x16. Built with Broadcom controller architecture, the 540-BDCP provides hardware offload acceleration and virtualization support for R750, R650, R760, R660 enterprise servers.

Specifications

About the 540-BDCP

The Dell 540-BDCP is a Dell Broadcom 57508 Dual Port 100GbE QSFP56 PCIe Gen4 Adapter engineered to deliver 100GbE network transmission across 2x 100GbE QSFP56 / QSFP28 over PCIe 4.0 x16. Powered by Broadcom controller architecture on the 540-BDCP, it executes hardware-level protocol processing, RoCE, and SR-IOV virtualization while maintaining a thermal envelope of approximately 18W. In Dell's networking portfolio, 540-BDCP 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-BDCP mounts directly into FHHL / LPHL PCIe Adapter locations. The 540-BDCP installs into a standard PCIe 4.0 x16 expansion riser slot with matching bracket profile. Cabling the 540-BDCP 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-BDCP include VMware ESXi, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and Windows Server with native Dell drivers.

How to identify a genuine unit

Authentic Dell 540-BDCP units carry an identification label displaying DP/N 05W9T8 and Broadcom model code BCM57508-2P along with Dell regulatory marks. In iDRAC Network Devices inventory, the card registers under part number 540-BDCP with active link state, port MAC addresses, negotiated speed, and certified Dell firmware. Onboard physical indicators on the 540-BDCP provide link status and port activity monitoring.

Buying used

When purchasing a pre-owned 540-BDCP, examine the gold edge connector fingers for scratches, peeling contacts, or missing surface-mount capacitors. Ensure that the 540-BDCP PCIe mounting bracket (low-profile or full-height) is intact and properly aligned for chassis installation. Validate in iDRAC Lifecycle Controller that the 540-BDCP 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
• Dell PowerEdge R7525

Works together

How the Dell 540-BDCP 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

Equivalent part numbers

• Broadcom BCM957508A5080G Broadcom NetXtreme-E 57508 100GbE Dual-Port PCIe Adapter OEM base

FAQ

Sources

• Dell Broadcom 57508 Dual Port 100GbE PCIe Adapter Specifications, checked 2026-10-27