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Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] vs ExtremeSwitching comparison

Dell Technologies and Extreme are both solutions in the LAN Switching category. Additionally, 90% of Dell Technologies users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 94% of Extreme users who would recommend it.
ExtremeSwitching
Read 23 ExtremeSwitching reviews
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  • 186 Comparison Views
94% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive Summary
We performed a comparison between Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] and ExtremeSwitching based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Netgear and others in LAN Switching.

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To learn more, read our detailed LAN Switching Report (Updated: June 2025).
Buyer's Guide
LAN Switching
June 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

Dell PowerConnect Switches ...
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
8.2
Number of Reviews
34
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
ExtremeSwitching
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.2
Number of Reviews
23
Ranking in other categories
LAN Switching (7th), Data Center Networking (6th), AV Over IP Switching (3rd)
 

Featured Reviews

LarsEvans - PeerSpot reviewer
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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MURALI NIDAMANURI - PeerSpot reviewer
Outstanding performance with minimal maintenance and intuitive configuration
Our primary use case for ExtremeSwitching is for costing, access networking, routing, and meeting network requirements. We have sold it in defense, government, and IT industries ExtremeSwitching significantly adds value to customers because maintenance is minimal. Once the network is set up,…
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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

"Dell PowerConnect Switches are very easy to configure with the GUI. Dell supports the solution even though it has been discontinued."
"The setup is straightforward. It takes minimum time for deployment."
"The most valuable features are the jumbo frames and the stacking."
"The most valuable feature is stability."
"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 platform's most valuable features are network switch functionality and fiber switch capabilities."
"There is high reliability since we have used them for close to twenty years and only had possibly one failure."
"The most valuable feature of this solution is simplicity."
More Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] pros
"The most valuable features of ExtremeSwitching are that they are robust and have plenty of features. There is a lot of functionality. They have a lot of other features ExtremeSwitching that you can get involved with but I haven't been using many of them."
"Performance is good."
"The product offers a single management platform for multiple models of switches. The tool also allows users to manage multiple sites from a single dashboard."
"ExtremeSwitching switches are highly reliable."
"ExtremeSwitching fabric technology is a unique technology used to protect against viruses. ExtremeCloud IQ is a very good and feature-rich solution compared to Cisco, Ruxi Networks, or Huawei."
"The return on investment is high."
"The stability has been largely pretty good."
"It is meeting our expectations in terms of performance as well as cost-effectiveness."
More ExtremeSwitching pros
 

Cons

"It would be great to have modules that integrate with SDN solutions such as Cisco ACI, Arista SDN, Huawei Agile, and IBM."
"Accessibility and management could be improved."
"An area for improvement would be that it's very hard to configure if you're not familiar with the UI or CLI of the product. The UI itself could also be improved."
"A user can take care of the product's installation part, but it may not seem to be an easy process."
"The pricing could always be a bit lower."
"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."
"The product price is an area of concern where improvements are required."
"More stable firmware releases would be an improvement because we have had them randomly power on and off."
More Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] cons
"We noticed over the years that the price of the Extreme Switches has been rising and this will become a concern in the future."
"ExtremeSwitching is scalable to a certain extent for SME-segmented IP."
"I believe they should be more aggressive in terms of pricing."
"The interface could be improved."
"The solution as a whole has hardware quality issues."
"ExtremeSwitching should come out with simpler but lower-cost switches that are more suited to the Asian market."
"While it is true of all vendors, there may be a slightly lower reliability standard."
"The solution lacks a cyber asset attack capability."
More ExtremeSwitching cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Its price is okay. Sometimes, it is lower than a Cisco solution."
"This solution is much cheaper than comparable products by Cisco."
"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."
"PowerConnect Switches are priced well."
"The product has a low price for the features it provides."
"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."
"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
"There is no license required to use the solution. The hardware controller is expensive, and this is why I prefer controlling ExtremeSwitching on the cloud."
"There is a cost for ExtremeSwitching and if you want the support and maintenance, there are additional costs. My clients typically pay for the support and maintenance annually."
"On pricing, ExtremeSwitches are going to beat most of the major competition."
"The pricing and licensing are good with the cloud."
"The product is expensive."
"It is not a subscription-based model, and there is no licensing concept. We have to pay for hardware AMC. We have hardware on our premises and for the hardware support, we have to go for the annual maintenance contract with the partner."
"ExtremeSwitching offers very good pricing plans for their licenses. Compared to their rivals, ExtremeSwitching's prices are very affordable and reasonable. This is why our customers are happy to pay for their service critical support. ExtremeSwitching also offers a great portal to track clients, further satisfying our customers. They are always happy to pay for the service every month. The pricing is very reasonable."
"The price is expensive. We pay for a license, but you have to pay more if you want to increase the number."
More ExtremeSwitching pricing and cost advice
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
14%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Government
7%
University
7%
Manufacturing Company
18%
Computer Software Company
13%
Government
7%
Construction Company
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

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
What do you like most about ExtremeSwitching?
The product offers a single management platform for multiple models of switches. The tool also allows users to manage multiple sites from a single dashboard.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for ExtremeSwitching?
ExtremeSwitching is priced in the mid-range, not too expensive nor too cheap.
See all answers
What needs improvement with ExtremeSwitching?
ExtremeSwitching's software stability could be improved, as it sometimes crashes.
See all answers
 

Comparisons

Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] Logo
Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL]
Compared 67% of the time
Cisco Nexus vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] Logo
Cisco Nexus vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL]
Compared 13% of the time
NETGEAR Switches vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] Logo
NETGEAR Switches vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL]
Compared 8% of the time
Arista Networks Platform vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] Logo
Arista Networks Platform vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL]
Compared 6% of the time
Dell PowerSwitch N-Series vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] Logo
Dell PowerSwitch N-Series vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL]
Compared 6% of the time
More Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] Competitors
Cisco Catalyst Switches vs ExtremeSwitching Logo
Cisco Catalyst Switches vs ExtremeSwitching
Compared 60% of the time
NETGEAR Switches vs ExtremeSwitching Logo
NETGEAR Switches vs ExtremeSwitching
Compared 19% of the time
Cisco Nexus vs ExtremeSwitching Logo
Cisco Nexus vs ExtremeSwitching
Compared 14% of the time
Arista Networks Platform vs ExtremeSwitching Logo
Arista Networks Platform vs ExtremeSwitching
Compared 7% of the time
More ExtremeSwitching Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL]
June 2025
Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] reportDownload Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] product report
Buyer's Guide
ExtremeSwitching
June 2025
ExtremeSwitching reportDownload ExtremeSwitching product report
 

Also Known As

PowerConnect Switches
No data available
 

Overview

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
ExtremeSwitching is the family of products comprising different switch types: Modular (X8 and 8000 series [formerly BlackDiamond] and S and K series switches); Stackable (X-series and A, B, C, and 7100 series switches); Standalone (SSA, X430, and D, 200, 800, and ISW series); and Mobile Backhaul (E4G). ExtremeSwitching work from Edge Switching that ensures the performance and reliable operation of end-user devices and applications including port density, bandwidth, and network services to Aggregation / Core Switches is designed for the demanding needs of aggregation, top-of-rack and campus core environments, these switches deliver 10Gb, 40Gb and even 100Gb bandwidth with maximum throughput and reliability.
Extreme
 

Sample Customers

Amerijet Holdings Inc., CGD Securities, MavenWire, Tulane University
Blue Waters
Buyer's Guide
LAN Switching
June 2025
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