Network Manager at a local government with 51-200 employees
Great switches at an affordable price. I've never had any problems.
What is most valuable?
Very good value. This switch has a fairly easy to use web interface. It has nice features such as VLAN, config management, and other advanced networking features. I use a 6248 as my main switch. It handles all the traffic flawlessly and has never needed to be reset in the 4 years it has been on. My whole network consists of PowerConnect switches. They do everything I need them to.
What needs improvement?
I really haven't had any problems with these. I haven't used some of the more advanced features. For my small 100 node network, these switches have all the features I need.
What other advice do I have?
If you need some advanced features and reliable core networking components at an affordable price, these switches are for you. I have used them for years now and never had any problems. Sometimes I wonder how Cisco isn't losing money to companies like Dell.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Infrastructure Architect at Hardlink
Easy to use and set up with great technical support
Pros and Cons
- "It's easy to set up. We can put it in production in a couple of minutes."
- "I can't think of what we would want in the next release."
What is our primary use case?
We use the solution in our data center.
What is most valuable?
It's easy to set up. We can put it in production in a couple of minutes.
It has excellent technical support.
It is very scalable.
The solution is stable and reliable.
The product is very affordable.
What needs improvement?
It has everything we need. I can't think of what we would want in the next release.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using the solution for more than ten years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The product is stable. It's reliable. There are no bugs or glitches and it doesn't crash or freeze.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is easily scalable. We can configure a lot of features to stack and virtual links.
How are customer service and support?
Technical support is great. they are helpful and responsive.
How was the initial setup?
It's very easy to set up. It's not complicated at all.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It's a simple product and easy and low-cost to buy.
What other advice do I have?
We have a lot of products here in many versions, in different versions. We use OS 10 or OS 9. It's many different products here.
I'd rate the solution ten out of ten. I'd advise potential users to try it as it is easy to use.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Buyer's Guide
Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL]
November 2024
Learn what your peers think about Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL]. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: November 2024.
814,763 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Director at REDCO
Inexpensive and easy to configure
Pros and Cons
- "The features I've found most valuable are that the product is very easy to configure and inexpensive."
- "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."
What is our primary use case?
Data center and distribution
How has it helped my organization?
The network is very stable, except for the detail that occurred in the update where we had problems due to a command to perform mirroring
What is most valuable?
The features I've found most valuable are that the product is very easy to configure and inexpensive.
What needs improvement?
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.
For how long have I used the solution?
Around 8 years
What other advice do I have?
I would rate this solution as eight out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
IT Project Manager at NTSAFRICA Services
Easy to use with a web-based GUI, highly resilient, and has good technical support
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature of this solution is simplicity."
- "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."
What is our primary use case?
We are a solution provider and Dell PowerConnect Switches are one of the products that we implement for our customers. Many of the models are used to manage East-West traffic in the network. The are other models that handle traffic at the application layer.
In data centers, we generally deploy the S Series.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature of this solution is simplicity. They try to make everything as simple as possible. Even if you are coming into networking for the first time, it is very easy.
The GUI, web interface is very nice if you are unfamiliar with the CLI.
What needs improvement?
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. For example, if I type in a Cisco keyword then it should highlight the differences and display what steps or similar commands are required.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with Dell PowerConnect Switches for more than seven years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
These switches are reliable and we have not had problems with them. Since 2013, none of the sites that I have implemented have gone down due to issues with instability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Dell PowerConnect Switches are very easy to scale and it can be done on the fly. It is essentially plug-and-plug, once you have the configuration replicated.
We have customers that vary in size from SME to enterprises. There are different models available depending on the size of the organization.
How are customer service and technical support?
We handle the first level of support for our customers. However, if it is something that is beyond our capacity then we contact Dell. The support from Dell is fantastic. It is available 24 hours a day and in all regions.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have dealt with switches from other manufacturers such as Cisco, and the Dell PowerConnect switches are easier to work with and scale. Physically, there are not so different, but the proprietary commands differentiate them. The cost of Dell is also cheaper than that of Cisco.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is very straightforward and easy to do. If I understand the requirements and what has to go into the configuration then it will take me a maximum of 15 minutes to deploy. This is for a single switch. In a large environment, there can be many switches. If we are deploying 50 switches, for example, then we might have three engineers to do the job.
Depending on the customer's environment, it is sometimes deployed on-premises but as part of a private cloud.
What about the implementation team?
We deploy these switches and other services for our customers. Our team will design the system, deploy it, and then offer support. Normally, the deployment is seamless because we plan everything in advance and know what is expected.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
This solution is much cheaper than comparable products by Cisco.
What other advice do I have?
Dell seems to accommodate everyone when it comes to managing these switches. The ease of use is an important selling point that has allowed them to push into the market.
My advice for anybody who is considering these switches is that they are a good product and I recommend them. There is some training available to help understand the architecture, which you should take. If you are coming from a Cisco background then you will find it very easy to integrate.
One of the things that I have learned about using this product is that there is steady development going on at all times. There are other products and technologies that are fading away, whereas this product is improving.
Another thing that I have learned about working with Dell is that they will never sell you something that is not redundant. Rather, their solutions are highly available. They don't want to have anything with a single point of failure. Essentially, the level of resiliency and redundancy is very high.
I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Has good correlation but requires a lot of testing
Pros and Cons
- "The security is the most valuable aspect of this solution. It also has good storage and resource handling."
- "Not a ten because I have to do a lot of testing on it. The correlation is okay."
What is most valuable?
The security is the most valuable aspect of this solution. It also has good storage and resource handling.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We don't have bugs or glitches. It's stable.
We have a team in our own company to maintain this solution.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We don't have any experience with other switches. We're thinking that in six months we'll look at more switches.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate it a seven out of ten.
Not a ten because I have to do a lot of testing on it. The correlation is okay.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
IT Engineer at a financial services firm with 11-50 employees
Has a lifetime warranty but stability is an issue and technical support needs improvement
Pros and Cons
- "This solution comes with a lifetime warranty."
- "More stable firmware releases would be an improvement because we have had them randomly power on and off."
What is our primary use case?
We use this solution for our local infrastructure and environment.
What is most valuable?
This solution comes with a lifetime warranty.
What needs improvement?
We have had some problems with the firmware. More stable firmware releases would be an improvement because we have had them randomly power on and off. These switches should be better tested before a firmware update is released.
Technical support for this solution should be improved.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for between three and four years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I have encountered two or three bugs that affected the stability of this solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
These switches are scalable but I do not know to what extent.
We have eighty users who are mostly developers and our business centers.
How are customer service and technical support?
The technical support for this solution is ok, but I have seen better. They are not the best.
At times they have responded quickly, but not always.
What other advice do I have?
I do not like this solution. It runs ok but we have had problems.
This is a solution that I would recommend only for those without complex setup or networking.
I would rate this solution a five out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Pre-Sales Engineer at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Great switches for LAN access that have been combined for data, high-performance access-points, IT surveillance, and cameras
Pros and Cons
- "When the price is competitive the customers tend to choose the cheaper brand and then look at the features. So having a competitive price is a plus."
- "I would like to see better scalability and more features on these switches in the future."
What is our primary use case?
We use the Dell EMC Networking N1500 series switches. We use them primarily for access to the Local Area Network.
What is most valuable?
We have used these switches for data access the LAN. We have also used the switches for power over ethernet devices in the LAN. Also, we have attached cameras for IT surveillance.
We have found that in our market the price is very good for our customers. When the price is competitive, the customers tend to choose the cheaper brand and then look at the features. So having a competitive price is a plus.
What needs improvement?
I would like to see better scalability and more features on these switches in the future.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using Dell PowerConnect Switches for a year and a half.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
These switches are stable and customers have been very happy. All the clients we have completed the switches for are happy and they don't have any issues with them.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Scalability can be a problem with these switches.
How was the initial setup?
I have not been involved in the setup of these switches. I'm in sales so I am just learning of the features.
What other advice do I have?
The Dell EMC Networking N1500 Switches are a great solution. They are great switches for access switch on LAN which they have combined for data, high-performance access-point, IT surveillance, and cameras. I would rate these switches a ten on a scale of ten out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Network Administrator at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Impressive stability and straightforward to set up, but the configuration should be improved
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature is stability."
- "The configuration should be improved."
What is our primary use case?
We are a product reseller and the Dell PowerConnect Switches are one of the solutions that we implement for our clients. They are used for connecting servers, hosts, PCs, and other devices.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature is stability.
What needs improvement?
The configuration should be improved. For example, the configuration on a Cisco switch is more logical than it is with Dell.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with these switch for between four and five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
This is a stable product and I have not experienced any bugs.
How are customer service and technical support?
I have contacted Dell technical support in the past, although it was in regards to a server and client, rather than for a problem with a switch. In most cases, Dell gives support-related problems to a subsidiary. The problem is that not all of the subsidiaries are professional.
Overall, I was satisfied with them.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have also worked with Cisco switches. I took the CCNA course and recognize the difference between Cisco and Dell switches.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was not complex.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price of these switches is okay.
What other advice do I have?
This is a product that I can recommend for end-users.
I would rate this solution a seven out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros
sharing their opinions.
Updated: November 2024
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Well i agree with you but not so much of testing if you ask me......