540-BBZM Dell Dual Port 10GB SFP+ Network Adapter

Main Details of Dell 540-BBZM QLogic Dual Port Adapter

The Dell 540-BBZM QLogic Dual Port 10Gb SFP+ Network Adapter is built for environments demanding high bandwidth, reliable throughput, and seamless integration. Designed to accommodate modern workloads, it enhances server networking with its PCIe-based dual-port SFP+ design. This plug-in, low-profile expansion card supports advanced data processing and efficient traffic handling, making it a versatile component for enterprises scaling up their digital infrastructure.

Core Technical Specifications

• Manufacturer: Dell Technologies
• Model Number: 540-BBZM
• Device Classification: Ethernet interface card
• Design Format: Low-profile, plug-in card
• Connection Interface: PCI Express

Network Interface Attributes

Crafted to deliver optimized wired connectivity, this adapter supports the 10 Gigabit Ethernet protocol through two independent SFP+ slots. These slots allow for flexible transceiver options, enabling the use of both fiber optic and copper links depending on your data center setup.

Advanced Networking Capabilities Include:

• Two high-speed 10Gb SFP+ ports offering combined 20 Gbps throughput
• Full-duplex communication ensuring symmetrical data flow
• Support for low-latency, high-bandwidth workloads
• Compatibility with advanced VLAN, QoS, and traffic shaping protocols

Interface and Expansion Support

Robust Expansion Options for Future Scalability

The Dell QLogic 540-BBZM features dual 10 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces through standard SFP+ cages. These modular ports allow the use of compatible transceivers for fiber or DAC cabling, adapting easily to changing infrastructure requirements. Whether for SAN access, virtual networks, or server clustering, the card ensures exceptional link reliability.

Interface Features:

• 2 x 10Gbps Ethernet ports – SFP+ form factor
• Connectivity via PCIe for low-latency server communication
• Compatible with high-performance transceiver modules

Seamless Compatibility Across Dell Server Models

Built for Integration with Dell EMC PowerEdge Systems

Purpose-built for Dell environments, the 540-BBZM is validated across a broad range of PowerEdge servers. It aligns with BIOS and firmware architectures for effortless deployment and centralized management.

Compatible Systems Include:

• PowerEdge R-Series: R440, R540, R640, R6415, R740, R740xd, R7415, R7425
• PowerEdge C6420
• PowerEdge FC640 modular server

Compatibility Matters:

Native driver support and Dell Lifecycle Controller integration ensure minimal setup time and reduce potential configuration conflicts, improving IT workflow efficiency and reducing deployment time.

Performance and Efficiency in Enterprise Networking

Meeting High-Demand Throughput Requirements

With dual 10Gb ports, the adapter delivers exceptional data handling capacity, reducing traffic congestion and improving application response times in virtualization-heavy or storage-intensive environments. The dual-port setup also enables failover and link aggregation strategies for increased network resilience.

Key Performance Enhancers:

• Link aggregation support for load balancing
• Redundancy capabilities for uptime assurance
• Full support for data center bridging (DCB)
• Optimized for high IOPS and low jitter performance

Virtualization Support

Features such as SR-IOV (Single Root I/O Virtualization) and hardware offloads help offload network processing from the CPU, improving VM density and ensuring consistent throughput across workloads.

Security, Stability, and Advanced Features

Security Mechanisms for Enterprise Protection

The 540-BBZM adapter offers support for secure boot, encrypted firmware, and secure firmware update processes, safeguarding your infrastructure from unauthorized access or malicious firmware modifications.

Network Protocol and Offload Features:

• TCP/IP checksum offload to optimize CPU efficiency
• Large Send and Receive Offload (LSO/LRO) for efficient packet management
• Support for iSCSI offloads for SAN deployment flexibility
• Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) capability for unified networking

Energy-Efficient Technologies

Compliant with Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE), this adapter consumes less power during low activity periods, contributing to lower data center operating costs without sacrificing performance during peak usage.

Build, Form Factor, and Durability

Space-Saving Low Profile Form Factor

The plug-in card is manufactured in a compact, low-profile design, making it an excellent option for 1U and 2U rackmount server enclosures where space is a constraint. It ships with both standard and low-profile brackets for installation versatility.

Physical Features Overview:

• Low-profile card layout for small form factor chassis
• Solid-state components for enhanced longevity and thermal performance
• Passive cooling with minimal heat generation

Ideal Usage Scenarios and Applications

Tailored for a Wide Array of Workloads

The Dell 540-BBZM NIC is optimized for numerous deployment scenarios including storage networking, server clustering, and virtualized environments. It excels in scenarios requiring sustained high throughput and predictable latency performance.

Typical Use Cases:

• Enterprise virtualization platforms running VMware, Hyper-V, or KVM
• Private and hybrid cloud deployments with large-scale server clusters
• iSCSI-based SAN environments requiring robust storage access
• High-performance computing and big data analytics applications

Benefits in Real-World Environments

This network card empowers IT managers with flexibility, scalable performance, and peace of mind through stable, high-speed connectivity that adapts to modern workloads and infrastructure evolution.

Software, Firmware, and Management Utilities

Effortless Maintenance with Dell Tools

Dell’s suite of tools including iDRAC, OpenManage, and Repository Manager provides comprehensive visibility and update capabilities for the 540-BBZM adapter. These tools simplify deployment and reduce operational complexity.

Vendor and Third-Party Software Support:

• Native driver packages for Windows Server, VMware ESXi, Red Hat, and SUSE Linux
• Dell Lifecycle Controller compatibility for firmware management
• CLI and GUI-based configuration via QLogic’s QConvergeConsole

Diagnostic and Monitoring Benefits

Real-time port health monitoring, detailed event logging, and traffic analytics help proactively detect anomalies and optimize network configuration for peak performance.

Value Proposition and Future-Ready Architecture

Investment Protection and Cost Efficiency

Offering a premium balance of performance and cost, the 540-BBZM is a budget-conscious choice that doesn’t compromise on enterprise-grade features. Its modular design, firmware upgradability, and multi-platform support extend its relevance in long-term IT strategies.

Forward-Looking Network Infrastructure Support:

• Compatibility with evolving data center standards and protocols
• Support for virtualized network overlays and SDN architectures
• Field-upgradable firmware for future enhancements

Summary of Benefits

With a combination of high-speed connectivity, strong server compatibility, advanced offloading, and modern management capabilities, the Dell QLogic 540-BBZM SFP+ adapter is a reliable and scalable solution for enterprises looking to improve their network infrastructure with minimal overhead and maximum ROI.

Overview of the 540-BBZM Dell QLogic QL41112 Dual Port 10GB SFP+ Network Adapter

The 540-BBZM Dell QLogic QL41112 Dual Port 10GB SFP+ Network Adapter is a high-performance network interface card (NIC) designed to enhance connectivity and network throughput in enterprise environments. Engineered with dual-port 10Gb SFP+ capabilities, this adapter delivers low-latency, high-bandwidth connectivity for data-intensive applications, making it ideal for virtualization, cloud computing, and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads. With robust compatibility across Dell PowerEdge servers and support for advanced networking features, it is a top-tier choice for IT administrators seeking reliability and scalability.

Key Features and Specifications

High-Speed 10Gb Ethernet Connectivity

The dual-port SFP+ interface of the 540-BBZM allows for 10Gb Ethernet speeds per port, providing a total aggregated bandwidth of 20Gbps. This ensures faster data transmission, reduced bottlenecks, and enhanced overall network performance in data centers and enterprise setups.

Dual Port SFP+ Interface

The SFP+ interface offers flexibility with modular optical transceivers, allowing IT teams to choose from a variety of fiber and copper options to meet their specific infrastructure requirements. The dual-port configuration also allows redundancy and link aggregation for improved fault tolerance and load balancing.

Advanced Networking Capabilities

• Support for Data Plane Development Kit (DPDK) for efficient packet processing
• TCP/UDP/IP checksum offload for lower CPU utilization
• Large Send Offload (LSO) and Large Receive Offload (LRO)
• Support for SR-IOV (Single Root I/O Virtualization)
• VLAN tagging and stripping for segmented network traffic

Compatibility and Integration with Dell Systems

Optimized for Dell PowerEdge Servers

The 540-BBZM adapter is engineered specifically for Dell PowerEdge servers. It ensures seamless integration with system BIOS, firmware updates via Dell Lifecycle Controller, and system management through iDRAC. Compatibility spans across several PowerEdge platforms, including the R, T, and M series servers, facilitating broad deployment scenarios.

Driver and Firmware Support

Dell provides extensive driver and firmware support for the QLogic QL41112 NIC. This includes compatibility with Windows Server, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, VMware ESXi, and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server. The Dell Repository Manager and OpenManage tools simplify updates, ensuring consistent system performance and security.

Enterprise-Class Performance and Reliability

Efficient Throughput for Virtualized Environments

With features such as SR-IOV and VMware NetQueue support, the 540-BBZM excels in virtualized data centers by reducing hypervisor overhead and enabling direct memory access for VMs. This results in higher VM density and better utilization of compute resources.

Redundancy and High Availability

Dual ports provide redundancy to prevent downtime in case of cable or port failure. When used in active-active or active-passive configurations, the network remains operational even during link failures, ensuring business continuity for mission-critical applications.

Load Balancing and Failover Capabilities

The adapter supports various load balancing modes, including Adaptive Load Balancing and Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP), distributing traffic efficiently and maintaining optimal network usage. Failover mechanisms automatically reroute traffic during path failures.

Security and Network Offload Technologies

Secure Boot and Firmware Validation

Security is critical in today’s IT landscape. The QLogic QL41112 adapter supports secure boot and cryptographically signed firmware, protecting the system against unauthorized firmware and software modifications.

Offloading Technologies for Reduced CPU Load

Features like TCP/IP checksum offloading, Large Send Offload (LSO), and Large Receive Offload (LRO) reduce the CPU’s workload by handling packet segmentation and reassembly on the NIC. This frees up CPU resources for more important workloads.

Support for iSCSI and FCoE

The 540-BBZM adapter supports iSCSI boot and Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), enabling storage networking over standard Ethernet infrastructure. This reduces the need for separate networking gear while enhancing flexibility and cost efficiency.

Form Factor and Physical Specifications

Low-Profile Design for Compact Environments

The card features a low-profile form factor with a standard and low-profile bracket, making it suitable for deployment in both rackmount and tower servers. This compact design allows for installation in space-constrained environments without compromising performance.

Interface and Slot Compatibility

Utilizing a PCIe 3.0 x8 interface, the adapter provides high-speed connectivity to the system board, ensuring fast data throughput with minimal latency. It is backward compatible with PCIe 2.0, offering flexibility for use across multiple generations of servers.

Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios

Cloud and Virtual Infrastructure

The QLogic QL41112 NIC is ideal for cloud service providers and enterprise private cloud environments. Its advanced features support high VM density and consistent throughput, helping to manage east-west and north-south traffic patterns efficiently.

Big Data and High-Performance Computing (HPC)

For big data analytics and scientific computing workloads, the 540-BBZM provides the bandwidth and reliability needed to move large datasets quickly. The card supports latency-sensitive applications and ensures performance under heavy data loads.

Database and Storage Connectivity

Leveraging iSCSI and FCoE support, this adapter is suitable for connecting directly to storage arrays or using SAN infrastructure without needing a separate HBA. This simplifies network architecture and cuts infrastructure costs.

Management and Monitoring Tools

QLogic Management Tools

QLogic’s QConvergeConsole provides detailed monitoring, configuration, and diagnostics capabilities for the 540-BBZM NIC. Administrators can view port statistics, configure VLANs, and troubleshoot connectivity issues from a centralized GUI or CLI-based interface.

Dell OpenManage Integration

Dell OpenManage systems management suite fully supports this adapter, enabling status checks, health monitoring, and remote updates via iDRAC and Lifecycle Controller. Integration into existing Dell infrastructure ensures simplified deployment and consistent management workflows.

Environmental and Compliance Standards

Energy-Efficient Operation

The 540-BBZM network adapter is designed with power-efficient components that reduce overall server power consumption. It supports Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) and Dynamic Power Management features to lower operational costs without sacrificing performance.

Regulatory Compliance and Certifications

This network interface card meets various international standards, including RoHS compliance, FCC Class A, CE Marking, and more. It is tested extensively by Dell and QLogic for enterprise-grade reliability under diverse environmental conditions.

Advantages Over Competing NICs

Performance-to-Cost Efficiency

The Dell QLogic QL41112 offers exceptional value by combining robust features, high throughput, and scalability at a competitive price point. It provides many enterprise-grade features found in more expensive solutions while maintaining lower TCO.

Future-Proofing Enterprise Networks

As organizations transition to software-defined networks (SDN) and higher bandwidth requirements, the 540-BBZM NIC positions itself as a future-ready component. Its support for virtualization, overlay protocols, and firmware-based updates ensures it remains relevant across IT transformations.

Firmware Upgradability and Lifecycle Longevity

Dell’s robust support ecosystem and firmware upgradability ensure this adapter can be kept current with the latest security patches and performance enhancements. Its design and durability also promise a long deployment lifecycle.