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 173 Cisco Catalyst Switches reviews

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3,764 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 ...

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jan 12, 2025

Cisco Catalyst Switches and Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] compete in the network switch market, catering to different needs. While Cisco Catalyst Switches have an edge in advanced features and stability, Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] are notable for their cost-effectiveness and simplicity.

Features: Cisco Catalyst Switches are known for reliability with features like load balancing, VLAN capabilities, and PoE. They offer strong management options, scalability, and stability. Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] are valued for their ease of integration with other solutions and basic switching capabilities. They have a straightforward setup process and are suitable for basic network needs.

Room for Improvement: Cisco Catalyst Switches face challenges with high pricing and complex licensing. Users desire a more user-friendly configuration interface and better third-party integration. Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] could improve in scaling and stability, with enhancements in security features and integration capabilities.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco Catalyst Switch deployments are complex, especially for on-premises and cloud integrations, yet they provide responsive global customer support. Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] are easier to deploy for straightforward networks and offer reliable technical support, making them accessible for simpler requirements.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco Catalyst Switches are costly, with high initial pricing and additional costs for licensing, leading to a slower ROI. Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] are more cost-effective, offering quicker ROI due to lower pricing and being an attractive option for budget-conscious setups seeking basic functionality.

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January 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

173

Ranking in other categories

LAN Switching (1st), Ethernet Switches (7th), 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

SameerBali

Network Architect at Syriatel Mobile Telecom

Reliable and stable catalyst switch; can be easily installed

I like Cisco Catalyst Switches because most of the time, we can do what we want with the product. Cisco has good guidelines that enable us to implement anything, so we can have a multiple ability product on most of the network equipment worldwide. Cisco has communities or forums that help us implement more complicated areas in terms of network, so in addition, Cisco is not just a network equipment company, because they provide us most of the solutions, development, protocols, and new technologies, more than any other company in the world. I also like the availability of Cisco Catalyst Switches, including scalability and reliability. You can find all these in this product.

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MOHAMEDELSHERIF

Senior Technical Consultant at International Turnkey Systems - ITS

You can cluster two switches together to increase redundancy in the environment

You can carry on a project without any consultation. Since the VxRail solution is experiencing significant growth and demand, integrating Dell PowerConnect switches becomes crucial. This integration enhances the VxRail server by offering three distinct solutions. Thus, this gives Dell PowerConnect an edge over Cisco. If you want to connect your virtualized environment and networks to your physical environment and users. In that case, Dell PowerConnect Switches, with VxRail, is the best choice for integrating such features into the hypervisor environment. This product is mainly targeted to virtualization environments. Therefore, Dell has considered this product's scalability, reliability, and robustness. If someone wants the server with VxRail as a free solution, I recommend going with the Dell PowerConnect. Overall, I rate the solution an eight out of ten.

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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

"The most valuable feature of this solution is communication."

"I find their system throughput and Cisco support very useful."

"We have dealt with Cisco's technical support in the past. They were especially helpful and very polite. They are always there if we need them and their insights are always excellent. I would say that we have been satisfied with the level of support we've gotten so far."

"With Cisco Catalyst Switches, everything is working perfectly. We have not had issues with this solution."

"It is a very scalable solution. Scalability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten."

"Configuring the solution is very easy. It's quite a straightforward process, and it's not difficult at all."

"The solution is easy to use."

"Catalyst Switches are reliable. We don't have major problems like lost connections, and we only have a minor issue with something every few months. In the last five years, a switch broke down once, and that was due to human error."

More Cisco Catalyst Switches pros

"It's easy to set up. We can put it in production in a couple of minutes."

"This is a very reliable solution."

"The platform's most valuable features are network switch functionality and fiber switch capabilities."

"The most valuable features of the solution stem from the fact that it is a stable and reliable product covered with good warranties and prices that ensure deep discounts for partners."

"The solution's most valuable feature is its good integration with solutions from other vendors."

"The most valuable feature is stability."

"The features I've found most valuable are that the product is very easy to configure and inexpensive."

"Dell PowerConnect Switches are very easy to configure with the GUI. Dell supports the solution even though it has been discontinued."

More Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] pros

Cons

"The technical response could be faster in the future."

"An area for improvement would be the documentation and training on configuring this product."

"To make it a ten they should simplify the licensing, add the cloud-managed feature, and it should be more cost-effective."

"The solution could be easy to use, you need a certificate to use it."

"The tool is not user-friendly."

"The product’s pricing needs improvement."

"Its price should be improved. It is very pricey."

"Dell switching is coming up with a solution where you can put your own OS inside their switching infra. That is where they are talking about open networking. We can show that our Cisco is also an open-source. We are open to different switching operating systems if the customer is willing to put it in. We can support multiple operating systems inside the switching infrastructure. It removes the hardware and software dependency on each other. That is where I think there can be room for improvement. Then we can talk about open networking and that is where Cisco can also come up with open networking access."

More Cisco Catalyst Switches cons

"I can't think of what we would want in the next release."

"The solution's ROI for generic networking is not extraordinary."

"Scalability, especially with the power connect series is something that you have to take into account before starting the project because any changes to an ongoing project can be difficult."

"I would like to see better scalability and more features on these switches in the future."

"Because of the stackings you lose some boards and switches."

"There should be more port options in this switch. Currently, it has 24 or 48 ports. However, some of our customers require only 8 ports, but I have to put a switch with 24 ports. They should provide smaller solutions and complimentary access point for companies like ours with a low quantity of work. The main issue with this product is branding. They should improve their branding and promote their brand more in Mexico. Customers are more aware of brands like Cisco as compared to Dell."

"The product price is an area of concern where improvements are required."

"A big issue with this product is that when our customer migrated the data center, one cluster blocked the whole network and because we had a new approach, some commands were not compatible with the new version."

More Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Pricing from Cisco is expensive but we pay for the reliability."

"The price can definitely be lower."

"The new products from Cisco in the market are expensive. My company cannot import Cisco products, so they are mostly unavailable."

"Cisco products are not that cheap."

"The product is quite expensive."

"Pricing is an issue I have been facing, in comparison with HPE or Juniper. The Nexus series is out of the question right now. Scalability is more an issue on the pricing side and less on the technology side."

"The price must be reduced."

"We love Cisco, but the price is very prohibitive."

More Cisco Catalyst Switches pricing and cost advice

"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."

"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."

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

"Inexpensive"

"The price of these switches is okay."

"If one is the cheapest price and ten is the most expensive, I rate the product price as an eight or nine. The tool is not cheap."

"Cheaper than its competitors"

"PowerConnect Switches are priced well."

More Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

65%

Computer Software Company

Government

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

17%

Government

Educational Organization

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

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?

Cisco Catalyst Switches are quite pricey.

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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.

See all answers

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...

See all answers

Comparisons

Arista Networks Platform vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 23% of the time

HPE ProCurve vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 15% of the time

Aruba Instant On Switches vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 13% of the time

ExtremeSwitching vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 11% of the time

Cisco Nexus vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 8% of the time

More Cisco Catalyst Switches Competitors

Cisco Nexus vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL]

Compared 13% of the time

Dell PowerSwitch N-Series vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL]

Compared 8% of the time

Arista Networks Platform vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL]

Compared 8% of the time

NETGEAR Switches vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL]

Compared 8% of the time

HPE ProCurve vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL]

Compared 7% of the time

More Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Catalyst Switches

February 2025

Download Cisco Catalyst Switches product report

Buyer's Guide

Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL]

February 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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