Used Dell Brocade M6505 MGRTC: Check Ports & Licenses

Brocade M6505: an enclosure module, not a rack switch

Dell's M-Series Blade I/O Guide describes the Brocade M6505 as a 16Gb Fibre Channel module for the M1000e enclosure, designed for I/O bays B1/B2 or C1/C2.

For a listing advertised as “MGRTC,” request photographs of the Dell part label, serial number, connectors and console-reported hardware identity. Match these to the intended enclosure configuration.

Check enabled ports—not just the listing title

Dell documents 24 total ports: 16 internal server ports and eight external SAN ports.

The same guide lists 12-port and 24-port configurations and says the 12-port model expands to 24 ports with an on-demand license.

Before comparing offers, ask the seller to provide:

• Hardware inventory and the enabled-port status for the offered serial number.
• License-status evidence, with secret values omitted, plus written transfer/use terms.
• Installed transceiver part numbers and quantities.
• Fabric OS version, operating mode and configuration-access status.
• The included hardware manifest and any tested enclosure/adapter configuration.

Do not assume a listing's “12/24” shorthand confirms the enabled ports or included license rights.

Match the module to your SAN

Ask your SAN administrator to review the intended enclosure, bay, midplane, server mezzanine adapters, external optics and fabric firmware together. Require the applicable compatibility documentation for the proposed configuration.

Acceptance plan before production use

Agree on a test scope covering the actual ports and configuration you intend to buy.

1. Reconcile identity. Match hardware labels, console inventory and the seller's manifest.
2. Verify entitlement. Check enabled ports and required features against the written purchase scope.
3. Inspect and diagnose. Have qualified personnel review module health, connector condition and diagnostic results.
4. Exercise required links. Demonstrate the agreed internal and external paths using approved adapters, optics and representative traffic.
5. Record results. Capture negotiated speeds, baseline/post-test counters, alarms and any exceptions for your SAN administrator's review.

Require a repeat test after corrective work and define return rights before ordering. Do not use a guessed operating-hours limit or a generic failed-port allowance.

Price and delivery scope

Request a dated, serial-specific quote identifying the module, enabled ports, optics, included rights, inspection scope, warranty, packing and freight. Obtain written quantity and dispatch confirmation.

Related Fibre Channel sourcing pages

These are comparison resources, not confirmation of interchangeability:

• Used Brocade SAN switch buying guide
• Brocade M6505 T6RG7 sourcing page
• Used Brocade SAN switches

RFQ checklist: include the enclosure/bay details, required enabled ports, adapter and optics plan, firmware requirements and acceptance-test scope.