540-BDQP Dell Broadcom 57504 Quad Port 25Gb SFP28 Card Network Adapter

Highlights of Dell 540-BDQP Broadcom 57504 Network Adapter

The Dell 540-BDQP Broadcom 57504 Quad Port 25Gb SFP28 Network Adapter is a high-speed OCP 3.0 solution designed to deliver reliable, low-latency Ethernet connectivity for enterprise servers and modern data center infrastructures. 25Gb Ethernet provides a significant leap over legacy 10Gb solutions while maintaining favorable power efficiency and cost-per-gigabit metrics.

General Information

• Manufacturer: Dell Technologies
• Part Number: 540-BDQP
• Model: Broadcom 57504
• Product Type: Network Interface Card (NIC)
• Sub Type : 25Gb SFP28 Card OCP 3.0

Technical Specifications

Quad Port SFP28 Architecture

• Four high-speed 25Gb SFP28 Ethernet ports
• Delivers aggregated bandwidth for demanding workloads
• Designed for low-latency and high-throughput networking

Enterprise Networking Advantages

• Enhances data transfer efficiency
• Supports heavy virtualization and cloud applications
• Optimized for storage, HPC, and AI environments

Broadcom 57504 Controller Technology

Advanced Ethernet Processing

• Powered by Broadcom 57504 Ethernet controller
• Efficient traffic handling and packet acceleration
• Stable performance under continuous workloads

Key Controller Benefits

• Reduced CPU utilization
• Improved application responsiveness
• Enterprise-grade reliability

OCP 3.0 Compliant Design

Optimized for Modern Dell Servers

• Fully compliant with OCP 3.0 specifications
• Seamless integration with Dell PowerEdge systems
• Space-saving and energy-efficient architecture

Deployment Flexibility

• Supports dense server configurations
• Improves airflow and cooling efficiency
• Future-ready networking expansion

SFP28 Interface and Connectivity

Versatile Network Connections

• Compatible with SFP28 optical transceivers
• Supports 25Gb Ethernet DAC cables
• Ideal for redundant and aggregated network links

Designed for Enterprise Data Centers

• Virtualized server environments
• Cloud computing and private cloud deployments
• High-speed storage networks
• Software-defined networking (SDN)

Overview of Dell 540-BDQP 25Gb SFP28 OCP 3.0 Network Card

The Dell 540-BDQP Broadcom 57504 Quad Port 25Gb SFP28 Card OCP 3.0 Network Adapter belongs to a high-performance category of enterprise networking hardware engineered to support modern data center, cloud, and high-density computing environments. This category focuses on delivering exceptional bandwidth, low latency, and scalable connectivity while aligning with open hardware standards that improve efficiency, airflow, and system design flexibility. Quad port 25Gb Ethernet adapters are increasingly essential as organizations transition to faster network fabrics capable of supporting virtualization, software-defined infrastructure, and data-intensive workloads.

25Gb Ethernet Performance and Bandwidth Scalability

The Dell 540-BDQP Broadcom 57504 category is centered around 25Gb Ethernet technology, which has become a cornerstone of modern data center networking. Each SFP28 port delivers up to 25 gigabits per second of throughput, and the quad port configuration enables servers to achieve high aggregate bandwidth for demanding workloads. This level of performance is critical in environments where applications generate significant east-west traffic between compute nodes, storage systems, and application services. 25Gb Ethernet provides a significant leap over legacy 10Gb solutions while maintaining favorable power efficiency and cost-per-gigabit metrics.

Quad Port Configuration and Traffic Distribution

The quad port architecture supports advanced traffic distribution strategies that improve network efficiency and resilience. Multiple physical interfaces allow administrators to segment traffic by function, separating management, storage, application, and backup flows across different ports. This separation reduces contention, enhances security, and ensures predictable performance for critical workloads. Link aggregation capabilities further enable the combination of multiple ports into a single logical connection, increasing throughput and providing redundancy. In the event of a link failure, traffic can be rerouted seamlessly to maintain uninterrupted connectivity.

Low Latency Data Path and Packet Processing

Low latency is a defining feature of this network adapter category. Optimized data paths and high-performance packet processing engines minimize transmission delays, ensuring rapid communication between servers and network switches. This low-latency performance is essential for workloads such as financial trading platforms, real-time analytics, and microservices-based applications where response time directly impacts outcomes. Efficient packet handling reduces CPU overhead by offloading networking tasks to the adapter hardware, freeing server resources for compute-intensive operations.

Broadcom 57504 Controller Technology and Feature Set

At the core of the Dell 540-BDQP network adapter category is the Broadcom 57504 Ethernet controller, a proven platform recognized for enterprise-grade reliability and performance. Broadcom controllers are widely deployed in data centers due to their robust feature sets, consistent performance, and strong ecosystem support across operating systems and hypervisors. The 57504 controller is designed to handle high throughput and sustained workloads while maintaining low power consumption and thermal efficiency. Its architecture supports advanced networking features that enhance performance, security, and manageability.

Hardware Offloads and CPU

Advanced hardware offload capabilities reduce the burden on host CPUs by handling tasks such as checksum offloading, segmentation offloading, and packet classification directly on the network adapter. These offloads improve overall system efficiency and reduce latency, particularly in environments with heavy network traffic. Offload support is especially beneficial in virtualized infrastructures, where networking overhead can otherwise consume significant CPU resources.

SR-IOV and Cloud Readiness

The Dell 540-BDQP Broadcom 57504 category is optimized for virtualization and cloud environments. Support for SR-IOV enables the creation of virtual functions that can be assigned directly to virtual machines, providing near-native network performance and reducing hypervisor overhead. This capability is critical for private cloud, hybrid cloud, and software-defined data center architectures that rely on efficient network virtualization to scale workloads dynamically.

OCP 3.0 Form Factor and Open Compute Ecosystem Alignment

The OCP 3.0 form factor is a key differentiator of this network adapter category. Developed as part of the Open Compute Project, OCP 3.0 aims to standardize server components in ways that improve airflow, reduce complexity, and enhance interoperability. The Dell 540-BDQP adapter is designed to integrate seamlessly into OCP-compliant server platforms. By relocating network interfaces to a dedicated OCP slot, servers benefit from improved internal layout, better cooling, and easier serviceability. This design is particularly valuable in high-density racks where thermal management and efficient use of space are critical.

Improved Airflow and Thermal Performance

Thermal efficiency is a major consideration in high-speed networking. The OCP 3.0 design allows unobstructed airflow across the adapter, reducing heat buildup and supporting stable operation under sustained high loads. Improved cooling contributes to longer component lifespan and minimizes the risk of performance throttling due to thermal constraints. This enhanced airflow is especially important in modern data centers that prioritize energy efficiency and dense hardware deployments.

Standardization and Platform

Standardized OCP interfaces ensure broad compatibility across Dell servers and other OCP-compliant platforms. This standardization simplifies procurement and deployment, allowing organizations to adopt a consistent networking strategy across multiple server generations. Compatibility with industry-standard SFP28 optics and cables further enhances flexibility in network design and expansion.

SFP28 Connectivity and Flexible Network Design

SFP28 connectivity is central to the versatility of the Dell 540-BDQP Broadcom 57504 category. SFP28 ports support a wide range of optical transceivers and direct attach copper cables, enabling tailored solutions for different distance, bandwidth, and cost requirements. This flexibility allows organizations to design networks that meet both current needs and future growth plans. By supporting both optical and copper options, the category accommodates diverse deployment scenarios within and between data center racks.

Optical Transceivers for High-Speed Data Transmission

Optical transceivers enable reliable high-speed communication over longer distances, making them ideal for inter-rack and inter-building connections. SFP28 optics support consistent signal integrity at 25Gb speeds, ensuring stable data transmission in large-scale data center environments. Optical networking also reduces susceptibility to electromagnetic interference, enhancing reliability in electrically noisy environments.

Direct Attach Copper for Short-Range

For short-distance connections, direct attach copper cables offer a cost-effective alternative to optical solutions. The ability to use DAC cables reduces overall deployment costs while maintaining high performance for intra-rack connections.

Scalable Connectivity for Evolving Network Requirements

The SFP28-based design provides a scalable foundation that aligns with evolving Ethernet standards. As network speeds increase, this category supports incremental upgrades and interoperability with higher-speed network architectures.

Reliability and Data Integrity Features

Enterprise data centers require network adapters that deliver consistent reliability and protect data integrity. The Dell 540-BDQP Broadcom 57504 category incorporates features that enhance fault tolerance, error detection, and secure data transmission, ensuring dependable operation under demanding conditions. Reliability is particularly important in environments supporting mission-critical applications where downtime can have significant operational and financial impacts.

Packet Integrity

Advanced error detection and correction mechanisms help maintain data integrity by identifying and correcting transmission errors. These features reduce packet loss and retransmissions, contributing to stable throughput and predictable network performance.

High Availability and Redundant Networking

The quad port design enables redundant network configurations that protect against link or hardware failures. High availability features such as failover and load balancing ensure continuous connectivity and support service-level objectives for enterprise workloads.

Centralized Driver

The Dell 540-BDQP Broadcom 57504 Quad Port 25Gb SFP28 Network Adapter category integrates with centralized management tools that provide visibility into network performance and adapter health. These tools enable administrators to monitor traffic patterns, detect anomalies, and optimize configurations across large server deployments. Centralized monitoring simplifies operations and supports proactive maintenance strategies that minimize downtime.

Operating System and Hypervisor

Broad driver support ensures compatibility with major operating systems and virtualization platforms. This compatibility allows organizations to deploy the adapter across heterogeneous environments without compromising performance or stability.

Telemetry, Diagnostics, and Performance Insights

Telemetry features provide real-time data on throughput, error rates, and link status. These insights support informed decision-making for capacity planning and performance optimization.

Use Cases Across Modern Enterprise and Cloud Environments

The Dell 540-BDQP Broadcom 57504 Quad Port 25Gb SFP28 Card OCP 3.0 Network Adapter category supports a wide range of use cases across enterprise, cloud, and service provider environments. Its combination of high bandwidth, low latency, and scalable design makes it suitable for demanding applications and distributed infrastructures.

Data Centers and Software-Defined Infrastructure

High-speed networking is essential for virtualized environments where multiple workloads share physical resources. This category provides the throughput and efficiency needed to support dense virtualization and software-defined networking architectures.

Cloud Computing and Hyperscale Deployments

Cloud environments rely on fast, reliable networks to support dynamic workload scaling and distributed services. The quad port 25Gb design enables cloud operators to build high-capacity network fabrics that scale efficiently.

High-Performance Computing and Analytics Workloads

HPC and analytics applications generate large volumes of data that must be transferred quickly between compute nodes. This category supports parallel data flows and low-latency communication, enabling efficient HPC cluster operation.

Storage Networking and Data-Intensive Applications

Modern storage solutions depend on high-speed Ethernet for data replication, backup, and access. The Dell 540-BDQP category delivers the performance required for software-defined storage and data-intensive enterprise applications.

Strategic Importance of 25Gb Quad Port Network Adapters

The Dell 540-BDQP Broadcom 57504 Quad Port 25Gb SFP28 Card OCP 3.0 Network Adapter category plays a strategic role in enabling scalable, high-performance network architectures. By combining advanced controller technology, open standards compliance, flexible connectivity, and enterprise-grade reliability, this category provides a robust foundation for organizations seeking to modernize their data center networks and prepare for future growth.