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Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Dell PowerSwitch N-Series comparison

Cisco and Dell Technologies are both solutions in the LAN Switching category. Cisco is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.4, while Dell Technologies is ranked #12. Cisco holds a 29.4% mindshare in LS, compared to Dell Technologies’s 3.2% mindshare. Additionally, 95% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 50% of Dell Technologies users who would recommend it.
Cisco Catalyst Switches
Read 175 Cisco Catalyst Switches reviews
  • 6,606 Views
  • 3,248 Comparison Views
95% willing to recommend
Dell PowerSwitch N-Series
Read 2 Dell PowerSwitch N-Series reviews
  • 249 Views
  • 194 Comparison Views
50% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive Summary
We performed a comparison between Cisco Catalyst Switches and Dell PowerSwitch N-Series based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two LAN Switching solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.

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To learn more, read our detailed Cisco Catalyst Switches vs. Dell PowerSwitch N-Series Report (Updated: March 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Catalyst Switches vs. Dell PowerSwitch N-Series
March 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
Ranking in LAN Switching
1st
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
175
Ranking in other categories
Ethernet Switches (7th), Data Center Networking (1st), AV Over IP Switching (1st)
Dell PowerSwitch N-Series
Ranking in LAN Switching
12th
Average Rating
6.6
Number of Reviews
2
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the LAN Switching category, the mindshare of Cisco Catalyst Switches is 29.4%, down from 32.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Dell PowerSwitch N-Series is 3.2%, up from 1.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
LAN Switching
 

Featured Reviews

Joshua Odunsi - PeerSpot reviewer
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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Al Vasek - PeerSpot reviewer
Performs well, but the support and stability could be improved
There is a lack of support because there is a lack of adoption. Because Cisco switches are so widely used, anyone in the world can support them. It was two Cisco engineers who released Arista's code. In terms of programming functionality, they essentially duplicated the Cisco iOS, so all Cisco commands work on the Arista commands. You can do an Arista if you can do a Cisco. Aruba isn't all that different. It's a little different, but they have all of HPE's money and stuff behind it and things like that. I would say the same thing about Extreme or some of the other switches where it's penny-wise, pound-foolish. You save some money if you are a small shop with only one or two guys, it's understandable. Fortinet is now in the switch business, and they have their FortiSwitch devices, which are controlled by the FortiGate firewalls to do all of the programs. There is a lot to choose from. But, in my opinion, a lot of it is dependent on the use case and the customer type. Meraki is a nice little Cisco product for the right kind of business, but I wouldn't use it in an enterprise setting.
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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

"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."
"The installation process is very straightforward."
"Since Cisco Catalyst Switches don't go online, they are secured."
"The PoE capability of Catalyst Switches is great for using WAPs and other PoE equipment, such as security cameras."
"The solution is very stable."
"It is a stable and good product. It is also easy to install."
"The most valuable feature is load balancing."
"I think it is a reliable and scalable solution."
More Cisco Catalyst Switches pros
"For a customer, it is easy to configure and to add ports through the LAN the GUI."
"Port density and port speed performance are both suitable. It has some appealing intangibles."
 

Cons

"The product could offer more integrations with other solutions."
"The price could be better. For Cisco, there is no need for improvement except for the price. It's expensive."
"I would like to see support for one-touch provisioning."
"I would like to see better efficiency. They are powering all the PoE ports 100% of the time instead of powering only when there is a draw on them. It has too many options. Therefore, there is a reasonably high barrier to entry in terms of learning about this stuff. A lot of times, you need to be a CCNA, which is like your ticket into the industry, but it is not the easiest thing to get."
"The stability must be improved."
"The support is not the quickest."
"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."
"There could be improvements in the repeat configuration with some file integration that is currently missing."
More Cisco Catalyst Switches cons
"Customers do not prefer this to connect to multiple cities."
"Instead of competing at the enterprise level with that product, they should probably scale it. With all of the ports, they should develop a good mid-level business to truly scale it and gain adoption before attempting to go after the enterprise."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The licenses are definitely expensive. There is a need to make annual payments towards the subscription or licensing costs attached to the solution."
"We are on an annual license to use this solution and the price of the solution could be reduced. We have spent hundreds of thousands on our Wi-Fi network."
"The new products from Cisco in the market are expensive. My company cannot import Cisco products, so they are mostly unavailable."
"You don't have to pay any additional costs while using the product."
"Cisco Catalyst Switches is a very expensive solution."
"The price must be reduced."
"Cisco Catalyst Switches is an expensive solution."
"The cost of Cisco switches is a little more expensive than the competition. However, as the saying goes, "you get what you pay for." If you want a reliable solution and other benefits, Cisco Catalyst Switches are worth the money."
More Cisco Catalyst Switches pricing and cost advice
"You are selling it to larger customers and in larger environments, where it's a less expensive model than Cisco, which is attempting to use the same approach Arista did, but with a completely different programming language."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Educational Organization
67%
Computer Software Company
6%
Government
3%
Manufacturing Company
3%
Computer Software Company
26%
Comms Service Provider
8%
University
8%
Educational Organization
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
 

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?
Although Juniper is cheaper, Cisco provides unique features that justify their pricing.
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Comparisons

Arista Networks Platform vs Cisco Catalyst Switches Logo
Arista Networks Platform vs Cisco Catalyst Switches
Compared 20% of the time
HPE ProCurve vs Cisco Catalyst Switches Logo
HPE ProCurve vs Cisco Catalyst Switches
Compared 14% of the time
Aruba Instant On Switches vs Cisco Catalyst Switches Logo
Aruba Instant On Switches vs Cisco Catalyst Switches
Compared 9% of the time
ExtremeSwitching vs Cisco Catalyst Switches Logo
ExtremeSwitching vs Cisco Catalyst Switches
Compared 9% of the time
Nokia Ethernet Service Switch vs Cisco Catalyst Switches Logo
Nokia Ethernet Service Switch vs Cisco Catalyst Switches
Compared 3% of the time
More Cisco Catalyst Switches Competitors
Cisco Nexus vs Dell PowerSwitch N-Series Logo
Cisco Nexus vs Dell PowerSwitch N-Series
Compared 30% of the time
More Dell PowerSwitch N-Series Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Cisco Catalyst Switches
March 2025
Cisco Catalyst Switches reportDownload Cisco Catalyst Switches product report
Buyer's Guide
LAN Switching
March 2025
Dell PowerSwitch N-Series reportDownload Dell PowerSwitch N-Series product report
 

Also Known As

Cisco Catalyst, Catalyst
No data available
 

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

Dell PowerSwitch N-Series bring users efficient connections to the network with highly functional access and aggregation switching. Products consist of: Dell EMC Networking N1100 Series, Dell Networking N1500 Switches, Dell Networking N2000 Series, Dell Networking N3000 Series and Dell Networking N4000 Series.

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
Norwich University of the Arts, Shelby American, City and Islington College
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Catalyst Switches vs. Dell PowerSwitch N-Series
March 2025
Free Report: Cisco Catalyst Switches vs. Dell PowerSwitch N-Series
Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco Catalyst Switches vs. Dell PowerSwitch N-Series and other solutions. Updated: March 2025.
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We monitor all LAN Switching reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.