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Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] comparison

Cisco and Dell Technologies are both solutions in the LAN Switching category. Additionally, 95% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 90% of Dell Technologies users who would recommend it.
Cisco Catalyst Switches
Read 175 Cisco Catalyst Switches reviews
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95% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Apr 20, 2025

Cisco Catalyst and Dell PowerConnect Switches compete in the networking hardware category. Cisco Catalyst appears to have the upper hand due to its extensive features and reliability, although it comes at a higher cost.

Features: Cisco Catalyst Switches offer robust security features like Port Security and VLAN support, alongside PoE capabilities which enhance deployment flexibility. They support various networking protocols, including RSPAN and VTP, facilitating efficient VLAN configuration. Dell PowerConnect Switches emphasize simplicity and integration, offering basic networking features and useful capabilities such as stacking and jumbo frames, particularly suited for budget-conscious enterprises.

Room for Improvement: Cisco Catalyst Switches face challenges with their high cost, complex licensing, and the need for greater integration options. Improved manageability is also desired. Dell PowerConnect Switches require enhancements in hardware reliability and support for modern networking needs like SD-WAN, as well as more advanced management features and quicker firmware updates.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco Catalyst Switches are known for their robust support and comprehensive technical resources, though configuration complexity can be a hurdle for smaller enterprises. Customer support is generally well-regarded. Dell PowerConnect Switches offer simpler configuration and good integration but provide less extensive technical support compared to Cisco.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco Catalyst Switches entail higher costs due to their extensive features and reliability, making them suitable for enterprises seeking strong long-term investments. They promise robust ROI through performance and minimal downtime but may be financially challenging for small businesses. Dell PowerConnect Switches offer more cost-effective solutions with lower initial investment, appealing to budget-sensitive buyers seeking basic functionality. Both products target a three to five-year ROI timeline, with Cisco's pricing being higher compared to Dell's competitive strategy.

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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
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
175
Ranking in other categories
LAN Switching (1st), Ethernet Switches (7th), Data Center Networking (1st), AV Over IP Switching (1st)
Dell PowerConnect Switches ...
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
8.2
Number of Reviews
34
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

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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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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Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The availability of resources for learning about the product and doing evaluation of any issues is excellent."
"The solution is reliable."
"As far as technology is concerned, Cisco improves the client-to-client business."
"We have dealt with Cisco's technical support in the past. They were especially helpful and very polite. They are always there if we need them and their insights are always excellent. I would say that we have been satisfied with the level of support we've gotten so far."
"As there are many who are knowledgeable of this technology, this translates into extensive support for it."
"One good feature is UPOE. Another is having a built-in controller, the customer doesn't have to ask for another controller. For example, you get a built-in controller with the C650. And two-port is one of the premium factors from Cisco."
"The product’s scalability and performance are valuable."
"The platform significantly improved our organization by addressing latency issues in our network."
More Cisco Catalyst Switches pros
"This solution comes with a lifetime warranty."
"Dell PowerConnect Switches are very easy to configure with the GUI. Dell supports the solution even though it has been discontinued."
"Their support has been excellent, and it has been quite stable and easy to set up."
"The setup is straightforward. It takes minimum time for deployment."
"We have these switches installed in an environment with hardware from many other vendors, and so far, so good."
"This is a very reliable solution."
"The most valuable feature is its ability to multitask."
"The solution's most valuable feature is its good integration with solutions from other vendors."
More Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] pros
 

Cons

"In a future upgrade, I would like to see integrated wireless in the solution."
"Needs to improve cloud services and mobile software."
"The addition of more security and privilege levels to Cisco Catalyst Switches is required as it is one of the areas with certain shortcomings."
"The solution could be cheaper."
"The solution is expensive."
"The prices are high. It's more expensive than other similar options."
"Reporting could be improved as well as integration possibilities with other platforms."
"Cisco is weird about their pricing models, so that's one problem. Their operating system is also a little outdated."
More Cisco Catalyst Switches cons
"We've only been using the solution for half a year. We haven't run into any issues, but maybe over time, that may change. It's too soon to tell. Offhand, there aren't any features that are lacking."
"The solution's ROI for generic networking is not extraordinary."
"Dell is sometimes slow to provide updates to firmware."
"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."
"I expect it to be a zero-touch or a plug-and-play device. To some extent, it is, but we need to know the architecture, and we need to know what exactly we are doing. It is not so easy to implement. It depends on what exactly we are doing and it is still not a plug-and-play or zero-touch device. In the upcoming version, they can make it zero-touch, where we can just power it on and start using it. They can have some templates for different scenarios, such as when you are using it for the data center or adding it to your existing infrastructure."
"The network features are not good."
"Because of the stackings you lose some boards and switches."
"Not a ten because I have to do a lot of testing on it. The correlation is okay."
More Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The prices of Cisco devices are too high."
"I don't know a lot about the price, but they are affordable compared with other solutions."
"The new products from Cisco in the market are expensive. My company cannot import Cisco products, so they are mostly unavailable."
"Pricing is an issue I have been facing, in comparison with HPE or Juniper. The Nexus series is out of the question right now. Scalability is more an issue on the pricing side and less on the technology side."
"They are expensive."
"Licensing is on a yearly basis. We usually spend up to $20,000."
"The price must be reduced."
"It is worth the money. The product is expensive, but the service they provide is very good, which makes it worth it."
More Cisco Catalyst Switches pricing and cost advice
"Cheaper than its competitors"
"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."
"On a scale of one to ten, if one means it is a cheap solution, and ten means it is a very expensive tool, I rate the product's price as seven. The tool is a bit pricey."
"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."
"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."
"I would rate the pricing as a seven or eight."
"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
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Educational Organization
62%
Computer Software Company
7%
Manufacturing Company
3%
Financial Services Firm
3%
Computer Software Company
16%
Government
8%
Educational Organization
8%
Manufacturing Company
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 ...
See all answers
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?
Although Juniper is cheaper, Cisco provides unique features that justify their pricing.
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
 

Comparisons

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Compared 13% of the time
ExtremeSwitching vs Cisco Catalyst Switches Logo
ExtremeSwitching vs Cisco Catalyst Switches
Compared 8% of the time
Aruba Instant On Switches vs Cisco Catalyst Switches Logo
Aruba Instant On Switches vs Cisco Catalyst Switches
Compared 8% of the time
Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches vs Cisco Catalyst Switches Logo
Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches vs Cisco Catalyst Switches
Compared 6% of the time
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Cisco Nexus vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] Logo
Cisco Nexus vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL]
Compared 12% 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 8% of the time
Dell PowerSwitch N-Series vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] Logo
Dell PowerSwitch N-Series vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL]
Compared 7% of the time
HPE ProCurve vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] Logo
HPE ProCurve vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL]
Compared 5% of the time
More Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Cisco Catalyst Switches
May 2025
Cisco Catalyst Switches reportDownload Cisco Catalyst Switches product report
Buyer's Guide
Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL]
May 2025
Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] reportDownload Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] product report
 

Also Known As

Cisco Catalyst, Catalyst
PowerConnect Switches
 

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

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
 

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
LAN Switching
May 2025
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