540-BDDO: Dell NVIDIA Mellanox ConnectX-6 Dx Dual Port 100GbE QSFP56 PCIe Adapter
Also listed as: 017X12, 17X12, MCX623106AN-CDAT · made by NVIDIA
The Dell 540-BDDO is a Dell NVIDIA Mellanox ConnectX-6 Dx Dual Port 100GbE QSFP56 PCIe Adapter delivering 25GbE network connectivity across 2x 100GbE QSFP56 ports via PCIe 4.0 x16. Built with NVIDIA controller architecture, the 540-BDDO provides hardware offload acceleration and virtualization support for R750, R650, R760, R660 enterprise servers.
Specifications
| Part number | 540-BDDO |
|---|---|
| Brand | Dell |
| Made by | NVIDIA |
| Type | Network adapters |
| Other numbers | 017X12, 17X12, MCX623106AN-CDAT |
| Status | current |
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| Ports | 2x 100GbE QSFP56 ports |
| Speed gbps | 100 |
| Form factor | PCIe low-profile / full-height adapter |
| Features | RoCEv2, hardware IPsec/TLS crypto offload, ASAP2 virtual switch offload, NVMe-oF |
About the 540-BDDO
The Dell 540-BDDO is a Dell NVIDIA Mellanox ConnectX-6 Dx Dual Port 100GbE QSFP56 PCIe Adapter engineered to deliver 25GbE network transmission across 2x 100GbE QSFP56 ports over PCIe 4.0 x16. Powered by NVIDIA controller architecture on the 540-BDDO, it executes hardware-level protocol processing, RoCE, and SR-IOV virtualization while maintaining a thermal envelope of approximately 15W. In Dell's networking portfolio, 540-BDDO 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-BDDO mounts directly into PCIe low-profile / full-height adapter locations. The 540-BDDO installs into a standard PCIe 4.0 x16 expansion riser slot with matching bracket profile. Cabling the 540-BDDO requires 25GbE-rated media, including direct attach copper twinaxial assemblies, optical transceivers, or patch leads matched to its physical ports. Supported operating systems on the 540-BDDO include VMware ESXi, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and Windows Server with native Dell drivers.
How to identify a genuine unit
Authentic Dell 540-BDDO units carry an identification label displaying DP/N 017X12 and NVIDIA model code MCX623106AN-CDAT along with Dell regulatory marks. In iDRAC Network Devices inventory, the card registers under part number 540-BDDO with active link state, port MAC addresses, negotiated speed, and certified Dell firmware. Onboard physical indicators on the 540-BDDO provide link status and port activity monitoring.
Buying used
When purchasing a pre-owned 540-BDDO, examine the gold edge connector fingers for scratches, peeling contacts, or missing surface-mount capacitors. Ensure that the 540-BDDO PCIe mounting bracket (low-profile or full-height) is intact and properly aligned for chassis installation. Validate in iDRAC Lifecycle Controller that the 540-BDDO is recognized with certified Dell firmware and passes diagnostics under sustained 25GbE network traffic.
Fits these models
- Dell PowerEdge R750
- Dell PowerEdge R650
- Dell PowerEdge R760
- Dell PowerEdge R660
- Dell PowerEdge R7625
- Dell PowerEdge XE9680
Works together
How the Dell 540-BDDO connects to servers, storage and the network: 3 ways, with the hardware on each path.
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 S4128F-ON 1U rack
Dell PowerSwitch S4148F-ON 1U rack
Dell PowerSwitch S5212F-ON 1U rack
Dell PowerSwitch S5224F-ON 1U rack
Storage
Dell PowerStore 1200T 2U rack
Dell PowerStore 3200T 2U rack
Dell PowerStore 5200T 2U rack
Dell PowerStore 9200T 2U rack
HPE Alletra Storage MP 2U rack
Lenovo ThinkSystem DM7100H 4U rack
Optics
407-BBOY Dell 100GbE QSFP28 SR4 Optical Transceiver (850nm, 100m MPO-12)
File storage (NFS and SMB)
Front-end ports face the clients; back-end ports (on scale-out systems) connect the nodes to each other and need their own switch pair.
Switches
- Dell PowerSwitch S4128F-ON 1U rack
- Dell PowerSwitch S4148F-ON 1U rack
- Dell PowerSwitch S5212F-ON 1U rack
- Dell PowerSwitch S5224F-ON 1U rack
Storage
Dell PowerScale F600 1U rack
Dell PowerScale F900 2U rack
Dell PowerScale H700 4U- Dell PowerStore 1200T 2U rack
- Dell PowerStore 3200T 2U rack
- Dell PowerStore 5200T 2U rack
Optics
- 407-BBOY Dell 100GbE QSFP28 SR4 Optical Transceiver (850nm, 100m MPO-12)
Hyperconverged cluster
Plan at least two 25GbE ports per node to two switches; all-NVMe clusters often move to 100GbE.
Switches
- Dell PowerSwitch S4128F-ON 1U rack
- Dell PowerSwitch S4148F-ON 1U rack
- Dell PowerSwitch S5212F-ON 1U rack
- Dell PowerSwitch S5224F-ON 1U rack
Optics
- 407-BBOY Dell 100GbE QSFP28 SR4 Optical Transceiver (850nm, 100m MPO-12)
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
- NVIDIA
MCX623106AN-CDAT NVIDIA ConnectX-6 Dx EN Dual-Port 100GbE QSFP56 PCIe 4.0 x16 Ethernet Network Adapter NVIDIA ConnectX-6 Dx EN 100GbE dual-port PCIe card
FAQ
What port speeds does the ConnectX-6 Dx support?
Each QSFP56 port supports 100GbE, 50GbE, 40GbE, 25GbE, or 10GbE speeds with appropriate transceivers or breakout cables.
Does the ConnectX-6 Dx provide hardware encryption?
Yes, it features inline line-rate hardware IPsec and TLS cryptographic acceleration.
Buying or selling 540-BDDO?
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 Dx Details, checked 2026-10-27