Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] comparison

Cisco and Dell Technologies are both solutions in the LAN Switching category. Additionally, 95% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 90% of Dell Technologies users who would recommend it.

Cisco Catalyst Switches

Read 177 Cisco Catalyst Switches reviews

5,572 Views
3,120 Comparison Views

95% willing to recommend

Dell PowerConnect Switches ...

Read 34 Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] reviews

90% willing to recommend

Cisco Catalyst Switches

Dell PowerConnect Switches ...

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jul 27, 2025

Cisco Catalyst Switches and Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] are key players in the network switch market. Based on the data comparisons, Cisco Catalyst Switches appear to have the upper hand due to their advanced routing capabilities, reliability, and extensive features.

Features: Cisco Catalyst Switches are noted for their strong VLAN capabilities, enhanced stability, and seamless integration with Cisco products. They provide robust performance and easy configurability. Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] highlight simplicity and ease of configuration, paired with competitive pricing, making them attractive for cost-conscious buyers needing straightforward integration.

Room for Improvement: Cisco Catalyst Switches could improve with better pricing and a simplified licensing model, as their high cost can be prohibitive. Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] face limitations with advanced features and integration issues with proprietary protocols, which are areas users seek enhancements, including feature expansion and more stable firmware.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco Catalyst Switches are recognized for strong on-premises deployment and comprehensive customer support, despite concerns over service quality and pricing models. Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] are praised for simpler deployment and adequate support, offering cost-effective solutions, yet Cisco's customer service tends to be more comprehensive.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco Catalyst Switches, although expensive, justify their pricing with high performance and reliable support; however, users desire more competitive pricing. Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] are favored for affordability and a good price-to-feature balance, providing cost-effective options for those not requiring advanced functionalities. Both offer satisfactory ROI, with Cisco potentially taking longer due to higher upfront costs.

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September 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Cisco Catalyst Switches

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

177

Ranking in other categories

LAN Switching (1st), Ethernet Switches (6th), Data Center Networking (1st), AV Over IP Switching (1st)

Dell PowerConnect Switches ...

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

8.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Featured Reviews

Joshua Odunsi

I.T INFRASTRUCTURE/SECURITY ADMINISTRATOR at Haggai Mortgage Bank Ltd

Ensures efficient performance and supports network growth with optimal speed

Catalyst Switches are efficient and swift, which is valuable for my organization. I experience optimal speed and effective configuration, making them stand out compared to other switches. The PoE switches offer more ports on SFP, and it is efficient in use. Overall, the switches provide me with the value I expect in terms of speed and efficiency.

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LarsEvans

Chief Technology Officer / Chief Information Security Officer at Lorton Data, Inc.

Reliable and useful for network segmentation

The solution's most valuable feature stands up well. The tool is reliable, and it stands up well. The solution works fine and lasts a long time. I think if you speak about the features that have a flow and you can measure, it is hard to say. I don't spend a lot of my time with the tool, but I know that Dell APEX is the solution's cloud. I would say the VLAN features are important. The VLAN features are really useful because network segmentation is important. I would say the tool is easy to program. I don't know if the tool has any security features that I am aware of other than the fact that the solution is for networking. The VLAN and the ability to segment your networks are easy, which is its security feature.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Its implementation is quite simple as there's good documentation you can reference."

"Cisco comes with built-in software access for network devices."

"It uses many protocols to ease operations, such as CDP and the interoperability of other Cisco products."

"In terms of technology, Cisco is the leader in everything. I'd rather buy a second-hand Cisco switch than a brand new switch from a competitor. They're that reliable and resilient."

"It is easy to use."

"I highly appreciate the durability and the availability"

"The solution is good for computation and backup."

"The product is stable, and it performs well."

More Cisco Catalyst Switches pros

"Dell PowerConnect Switches are easy to configure."

"The security is the most valuable aspect of this solution. It also has good storage and resource handling."

"The tool is very user-friendly, with features catering to beginners and advanced users. For beginners, there are models with interactive and easy-to-navigate GUIs that aid in initial deployment and updates. For advanced users, there is the option to use the CLI."

"The most valuable feature is its ability to multitask."

"This solution comes with a lifetime warranty."

"This is a very reliable solution."

"Their support has been excellent, and it has been quite stable and easy to set up."

"The most valuable feature is stability."

More Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] pros

Cons

"The licensing process should be back to how it was before. Now, you have to register online, and it makes staging a bit trickier."

"Cisco applies restrictions in relation to renewals on a yearly basis. Many other brands don't have restrictions. If Cisco lifted them, they wouldn't lose so many clients to competitors."

"Reducing the price would be an improvement."

"Cisco forces end-users to accept billing for some capabilities or services that they may not want."

"If we have a major problem, fixing it takes two or three days and six to eight engineers from Cisco. When they escalate a ticket, it goes through too many levels. Every time the issue is passed along to a new person at Cisco support, they ask the same questions repeatedly."

"They need to implement sFlow."

"The GUI should be addressed."

"The initial setup can be easier in cases where the policy and ruleset are complex."

More Cisco Catalyst Switches cons

"A user can take care of the product's installation part, but it may not seem to be an easy process."

"When it comes to the configuration, there should be documentation and interactive help available to assist people who have experience with products from other vendors."

"The IOS software that is used on the switches could be improved."

"The configuration should be improved."

"You have to build the stackable interface by yourself in Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL], making it an area that can be considered for improvement."

"Dell is sometimes slow to provide updates to firmware."

"What's lacking in Dell PowerConnect Switches is SD-WAN integration, and this is what needs to be improved in it. All enterprises now move towards SD-WAN infrastructure, and because Dell PowerConnect Switches don't currently support SD-WAN, the product would be replaced, considered a secondary switch, or linked up to a different switch. Integration or support for SD-WAN is what I'd like to see in the next version of Dell PowerConnect Switches."

"The CLI for Dell PowerConnect Switches is sometimes confusing, especially with the LAN, but for the GUI it is simple."

More Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"These switches are expensive."

"We had to pay for the product’s licenses."

"Pricing could be cheaper as well."

"I would say that the pricing of the solution falls within the moderate to higher range."

"There is a license required for the use of this solution and we pay annually."

"Try to buy everything you need in bulk purchases and ask Cisco for volume discounts."

"It is very pricey. You have to pay for support."

"It is reasonably priced because we have already conducted a tender, allowing Cisco and other vendors to compete for the best price."

More Cisco Catalyst Switches pricing and cost advice

"Its price is okay. Sometimes, it is lower than a Cisco solution."

"In my opinion, it is a product that is priced somewhere in the middle, making it a well-priced solution in the middle. It is not a very cheap product."

"If you want to purchase a new Dell PowerConnect Switch, you will pay up to $1,600, but I bought them used. I bought the four Dell PowerConnect Switches that I used for $1,000."

"Pricing for Dell PowerConnect Switches is quite competitive compared to Cisco and HP pricing. Dell has cheaper pricing and the company is trying to push for sales for its switching infrastructure because right now, the current market is dominated by Cisco. In the US market, there's Cisco, HP, Juniper, and Arista which you can buy for data center switching meant for different kinds of enterprises and ISPs. Dell PowerConnect Switches, on the other hand, is a product for people who need smaller setups or individual switches, especially those looking for a cheaper product and basic switching, though you can also buy a complete suite packaged with the switches."

"This solution is much cheaper than comparable products by Cisco."

"The product has a low price for the features it provides."

"Inexpensive"

"Dell PowerConnect switches are cheaper than Cisco switches. Cisco's higher capacity switches (100 or 200 gigs) are super-expensive. With the higher capacity, the price of the switches and the price of the architecture go high. Dell is cheaper and modular. So, I don't need to invest 100% upfront. I can invest as I progress. That is an option because the chassis will not be populated with all the pluggables. I have a choice because it is modular. I can go for 25 gigs today, and after four months, I can go for 100 gigs, and after that, I can go for 200 gigs. I have a choice when it is not a fixed switch."

More Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

13%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Comms Service Provider

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

12%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Government

Energy/Utilities Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	78
Midsize Enterprise	29
Large Enterprise	78

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	21
Midsize Enterprise	6
Large Enterprise	6

Questions from the Community

Would you recommend replacing a Cisco Catalyst Switch by a D-link one?

Hello Mesfin It depends on the real scenario, the cisco 2960 is a very good device and they usually have routing functions but there are many different models within the same 2960 line, and on the ...

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What do you like most about Cisco Catalyst Switches?

We are a vendor for the healthcare sector, especially hospitals, and normally, we use a full Cisco solution for stability, especially for the stability of the Access Points and the security of swit...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Catalyst Switches?

For pricing satisfaction, I'd say it will be six to seven because Cisco usually is costly compared to other vendors. Regarding pricing, there is indeed room for improvement.

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What do you like most about Dell PowerConnect Switches?

Dell PowerConnect Switches have a VTL feature similar to Cisco's VSS. With VTL, using this technology, you can cluster two switches together to increase redundancy in the environment.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Dell PowerConnect Switches?

The solution is cheaper than Cisco.

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What needs improvement with Dell PowerConnect Switches?

Some proprietary commands available in Cisco are preferred by users accustomed to Cisco systems. These users might hesitate to switch because they want to continue using familiar commands and see t...

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Comparisons

Arista Networks Platform vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 16% of the time

HPE ProCurve vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 8% of the time

ExtremeSwitching vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 7% of the time

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 6% of the time

Ubiquiti UniFi Switches vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 6% of the time

More Cisco Catalyst Switches Competitors

No data available

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Catalyst Switches

October 2025

Download Cisco Catalyst Switches product report

Buyer's Guide

Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL]

October 2025

Download Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] product report

Also Known As

Cisco Catalyst, Catalyst

PowerConnect Switches

Overview

Cisco Catalyst Switches are a reliable and scalable network switching and routing solution, focusing on VLANs and VLAN switching. They are used as access switches, distribution switches, and core switches in various environments, deployed on-premises, and used for long connections. The switches are easy to configure, install, and upgrade and offer good pricing.

The most valuable features include warranty and firmware support, stability, security, good performance, flexibility, etc. The Cisco Catalyst Switches have provided a stable solution for the organizations and are widely used, trusted, and well-known in the networking industry.

Cisco

PowerConnect Switches family offers a set of flexible, manageable and comprehensive switch solutions supporting up to 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) and optimized Internet iSCSI (iSCSI) performance with Dell Storage solutions, ideal for enterprise and campus LAN environments alike.

Dell Technologies

Sample Customers

Afni, Anilana Hotels and Resorts, Baylor Scott & White Health, Beachbody, Bellevue, Del Papa Distributing, Explorer Pipeline, Mindtree, Omaha World Herald, Radio 538, Sony Corporation, Telecom Italia, Telenor Arena

Amerijet Holdings Inc., CGD Securities, MavenWire, Tulane University

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