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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 30.2% mindshare in LS, compared to Dell Technologies’s 2.5% 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
  • 7,429 Views
  • 3,764 Comparison Views
95% willing to recommend
Dell PowerSwitch N-Series
Read 2 Dell PowerSwitch N-Series reviews
  • 251 Views
  • 210 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: January 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Catalyst Switches vs. Dell PowerSwitch N-Series
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
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 February 2025, in the LAN Switching category, the mindshare of Cisco Catalyst Switches is 30.2%, down from 31.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Dell PowerSwitch N-Series is 2.5%, up from 1.5% 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

"The 802.1X port security and other security features work well and help keep the network secure."
"Easy to manage, with a long lifespan."
"The best feature is the technical support."
"They are pretty good. They are stable. Cisco has been around in the industry for a long time, so they are reliable, as well."
"It can be expanded."
"The availability of resources for learning about the product and doing evaluation of any issues is excellent."
"Technical support is always very helpful and fast to respond."
"The stability and Cisco's support are the most valuable features."
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 customer service and support need a bit more improvement and a faster response. So, there is an area of improvement."
"Its price can be improved. It is currently expensive."
"The cost of this product is very high and not all companies can afford it."
"The delivery dates need to be more expedient."
"Cisco can definitely improve the training part. They can provide more training related to configuration."
"I would like to see a graphical user interface for the configuration."
"The current catalyst is probably outdated so we will most likely move to the newer version of the solution soon."
"There are multiple operating systems across Cisco's portfolio, which is problematic."
More Cisco Catalyst Switches cons
"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."
"Customers do not prefer this to connect to multiple cities."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The price of the solution is expensive compared to other products from America or Europe. They should have more competitive pricing."
"It has a very high cost, but understandably, due to its very good quality."
"Licensing is on a yearly basis. We usually spend up to $20,000."
"Cisco Catalyst Switches is a very 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."
"Cisco products are not that cheap."
"When compared with other products, the solution is kind of on the expensive side."
"The price of Cisco equipment is very expensive and you have to pay extra for support."
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
66%
Computer Software Company
6%
Government
3%
Financial Services Firm
3%
No data available
 

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?
Cisco Catalyst Switches are quite pricey.
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Comparisons

Arista Networks Platform vs Cisco Catalyst Switches Logo
Arista Networks Platform vs Cisco Catalyst Switches
Compared 22% 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 12% of the time
ExtremeSwitching vs Cisco Catalyst Switches Logo
ExtremeSwitching vs Cisco Catalyst Switches
Compared 10% of the time
Nokia Ethernet Service Switch vs Cisco Catalyst Switches Logo
Nokia Ethernet Service Switch vs Cisco Catalyst Switches
Compared 2% of the time
More Cisco Catalyst Switches Competitors
Cisco Nexus vs Dell PowerSwitch N-Series Logo
Cisco Nexus vs Dell PowerSwitch N-Series
Compared 32% of the time
More Dell PowerSwitch N-Series Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Cisco Catalyst Switches
February 2025
Cisco Catalyst Switches reportDownload Cisco Catalyst Switches product report
Buyer's Guide
LAN Switching
February 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
January 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: January 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.