Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Dell PowerConnect Switches comparison

Cisco Catalyst Switches
Read 171 Cisco Catalyst Switches reviews
  • 9,829 Views
  • 5,048 Comparison Views
94% willing to recommend
Dell PowerConnect Switches
Read 31 Dell PowerConnect Switches reviews
  • 2,935 Views
  • 2,266 Comparison Views
89% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Sep 4, 2022

We performed a comparison between Cisco Catalyst Switches and Dell PowerConnect Switches based on our users’ reviews in four categories. After reading all of the collected data, you can find our conclusion below.

  • Ease of Deployment: Cisco Catalysts Switches users say the setup can be very complex for the novice user; Cisco network experience or certification is advised. Dell PowerConnect users feel deployment is easy and straightforward.
  • Features: Cisco Catalyst Switches users like the spanning tree and redundancy features. The solution offers great PoE capabilities, load balancing, and DHCP functionalities. Some users feel that security and wireless functions could be improved, in addition to better compatibility with today’s software-defined technologies.

    Users say Dell PowerConnect Switches are very compatible and provide great throughput. They are very stable, easy to configure, and can easily multi-task. Many users tell us some newer versions are not compatible with older versions, which can cause latencies, network blockages, or even outages.
  • Pricing: Many users feel Cisco Catalyst Switches are a very expensive solution. Dell PowerConnect Switches users feel they are very moderately priced and very cost-effective.
  • Service and Support: Users of both solutions are happy with the level of service and support they have received.

Comparison Results: Users feel Cisco Catalyst Switches provide great stability, intuitive reliable analytics, seamless scalability, excellent PoE capabilities, and solid robust security. However, users are happier with the pricing of Dell PowerConnect Switches.

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To learn more, read our detailed Cisco Catalyst Switches vs. Dell PowerConnect Switches Report (Updated: July 2024).
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Catalyst Switches vs. Dell PowerConnect Switches
July 2024
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Helped 793,295 peers since 2012
 

Categories and Ranking

Cisco Catalyst Switches
Ranking in LAN Switching
1st
Ranking in Data Center Networking
1st
Average Rating
8.6
Number of Reviews
171
Ranking in other categories
Ethernet Switches (8th), AV Over IP Switching (1st)
Dell PowerConnect Switches
Ranking in LAN Switching
3rd
Ranking in Data Center Networking
4th
Average Rating
8.0
Number of Reviews
31
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2024, in the LAN Switching category, the mindshare of Cisco Catalyst Switches is 26.2%, down from 30.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Dell PowerConnect Switches is 18.4%, up from 12.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
LAN Switching
Unique Categories:
Ethernet Switches
1.1%
Data Center Networking
22.7%
 

Featured Reviews

KV
Mar 25, 2024
Performs well and is very flexible, but it is expensive, and the central management tool is primitive
The initial setup was straightforward. We started from scratch. We had about 40 Switches in total. It took us about three days to complete the setup, from the physical installation to the configuration of software management. The deployment process includes the hardware unboxing and verifying whether everything is compatible. Initially, we did a life cycle certification to check if the firmware was up to date. It depends on whether the firmware is deployed and managed by Cisco. Then, we did the physical installation as well as the uplinks. Finally, we did the configuration between the switches. As far as I remember, there is no central cloud-based solution yet. Everything is still CLI-based.
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Latip Ayob - PeerSpot reviewer
May 22, 2021
Unreliable and error prone, but they can be configured in a multi-vendor environment
We use these switches in our pharmaceutical company, which has been running for more than twenty years, since 1984 We have these switches installed in an environment with hardware from many other vendors, and so far, so good. Their hardware is not reliable, it's faulty. After three years of use,…
Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"The stability and performance are extremely good."
"The most valuable features of the solution are BGP, VPN, and spine-leaf architecture."
"Catalyst Switches perform very well, and the network is stable."
"The operating system is great."
"We decreased budgets on the support corporate network and increased user satisfaction."
"The technical support is at an expert level."
"Customer support answers on time and resolve any issues I have."
"It has become easier for us to troubleshoot and find issues faster in the management software for the switches. It saves us troubleshooting time because if the network is down it has a big impact on production."
More Cisco Catalyst Switches pros
"The most valuable feature is stability."
"This is a very reliable solution."
"The solution’s technical support is good."
"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."
"Dell PowerConnect Switches are very easy to configure with the GUI. Dell supports the solution even though it has been discontinued."
"PowerConnect Switches' stability is satisfactory."
"The functionality is very good."
"There is high reliability since we have used them for close to twenty years and only had possibly one failure."
More Dell PowerConnect Switches pros
 

Cons

"They should make so that they let users know five to ten minutes before productivity is restored in the case of power loss."
"The solution’s licensing could be improved."
"It is not easy for everyone to configure the product's initial setup part, making it an area where improvements are required."
"The product could offer more integrations with other solutions."
"Needs to improve cloud services and mobile software."
"It should have better security and the prices can always be lower. The cheaper the price, the better but if the quality is good, it's worth it. They also have to improve the firewalling."
"We would like the solution to be more stable."
"Cisco is the most expensive product."
More Cisco Catalyst Switches cons
"The solution's ROI for generic networking is not extraordinary."
"A user can take care of the product's installation part, but it may not seem to be an easy process."
"The configuration should be improved."
"The product needs to improve in terms of reports and backups."
"The network features are not good."
"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."
"Dell is sometimes slow to provide updates to firmware."
"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."
More Dell PowerConnect Switches cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The price of a Cisco Catalyst Switches license is expensive."
"If you consider Cisco's price with the Dell, you will definitely lose with Cisco. But Cisco has a major area of equipment in general. Cisco has routers, firewalls, NAC, certain video conferencing, Apple phones, and different security solutions. But Dell doesn't have such areas, Dell only has switching architecture."
"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."
"The pricing should be improved."
"I would say that the pricing of the solution falls within the moderate to higher range."
"Catalyst Switches are costly. When I started working with them 25 years ago, prices were a problem too."
"The price is on the higher side."
"There is a license required for the use of this solution and we pay annually."
More Cisco Catalyst Switches pricing and cost advice
"The price of these switches is okay."
"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."
"This solution is much cheaper than comparable products by Cisco."
"In my opinion, it is a product that is priced somewhere in the middle, making it a well-priced solution in the middle. It is not a very cheap product."
"The product has a low price for the features it provides."
"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."
"The initial cost was high but since they have lasted for over ten or twenty years they are worth it."
More Dell PowerConnect Switches pricing and cost advice
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Educational Organization
56%
Computer Software Company
9%
Government
4%
Manufacturing Company
3%
Computer Software Company
17%
Government
9%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Educational Organization
7%
 

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...
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Catalyst Switches?
I would rate the pricing a ten out of ten, with ten being expensive.
See all answers
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
 

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Cisco Catalyst Switches
July 2024
Cisco Catalyst Switches reportDownload Cisco Catalyst Switches product report
Buyer's Guide
Dell PowerConnect Switches
July 2024
Dell PowerConnect Switches reportDownload Dell PowerConnect Switches product report
 

Also Known As

Cisco Catalyst, Catalyst
PowerConnect Switches
 

Learn More

Cisco
Dell Technologies
 

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.

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.
 

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
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Catalyst Switches vs. Dell PowerConnect Switches
July 2024
Free Report: Cisco Catalyst Switches vs. Dell PowerConnect Switches
Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco Catalyst Switches vs. Dell PowerConnect Switches and other solutions. Updated: July 2024.
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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.