A system administrator must interface the compute sleds of an MX7000 chassis to a Z9432F-ON in a single SmartFabric. Which FEM IOM is required?

Question

Options

• AMX9116n
• BMX5108n
• CMX8116n
• DMX7116n

• A
  5% (2)
• B
  8% (3)
• C
  84% (32)
• D
  3% (1)

Explanation

MX8116n (C) is the correct FEM IOM because it is specifically designed as a Fabric Expansion Module to connect MX7000 compute sleds to an external spine switch - in this case the Z9432F-ON (a 400GbE spine) - within a Dell EMC SmartFabric architecture. It provides the necessary 100GbE uplink density to bridge the chassis fabric to that external switch tier.

Why the distractors are wrong:

• A (MX9116n): This is an FSE (Fabric Switching Engine), not a FEM - it is an all-in-one leaf switching module that contains switching intelligence internally rather than expanding to an external spine.
• B (MX5108n): This is a standalone Ethernet switch IOM (8x25GbE + 2x100GbE uplinks), suited for simpler top-of-rack style connectivity, not the FEM role in a SmartFabric with an external spine.
• D (MX7116n): This is also a FEM, but it pairs with lower-generation spine switches (e.g., Z9264F-ON at 100GbE), not the 400GbE Z9432F-ON.

Memory tip: Match the spine to the FEM by generation - the Z9432F-ON is a 400GbE spine, so you need the higher-generation MX8116n FEM. Think "bigger spine number → bigger FEM number."

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