Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] comparison

Cisco and Dell Technologies are both solutions in the LAN Switching category. Additionally, 94% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 90% of Dell Technologies users who would recommend it.

Cisco Catalyst Switches

Read 172 Cisco Catalyst Switches reviews

8,779 Views
4,589 Comparison Views

94% willing to recommend

Dell PowerConnect Switches ...

Read 34 Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] reviews

90% willing to recommend

Cisco Catalyst Switches

Dell PowerConnect Switches ...

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 8, 2024

Cisco Catalyst Switches and Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] compete in the networking market. Cisco seems to have an advantage in pricing and support, while Dell PowerConnect is preferred for its features.

Features: Cisco Catalyst Switches are known for advanced configuration options, high performance in large networks, and strong security features. Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] are favored for scalability, ease of integration, and enhancing complex networks.

Room for Improvement: Cisco Catalyst Switches require simplification in management and reduced learning curve. Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] need better documentation, improved technical support, and expanded user guidance.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco Catalyst Switches demand a detailed initial setup, but ongoing support is strong. Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] allow straightforward deployment, with room to improve troubleshooting support.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco Catalyst Switches have higher initial costs, but deliver satisfactory ROI due to long-term stability. Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] offer a budget-friendly initial setup, with mixed ROI reviews based on network size.

To learn more, read our detailed LAN Switching Report (Updated: October 2024).

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LAN Switching

October 2024

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Categories and Ranking

Cisco Catalyst Switches

Average Rating

8.6

Number of Reviews

172

Ranking in other categories

LAN Switching (1st), Ethernet Switches (8th), Data Center Networking (1st), AV Over IP Switching (1st)

Dell PowerConnect Switches ...

Average Rating

8.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Featured Reviews

SameerBali

Network Architect at Syriatel Mobile Telecom

Feb 2, 2022

Reliable and stable catalyst switch; can be easily installed

I like Cisco Catalyst Switches because most of the time, we can do what we want with the product. Cisco has good guidelines that enable us to implement anything, so we can have a multiple ability product on most of the network equipment worldwide. Cisco has communities or forums that help us implement more complicated areas in terms of network, so in addition, Cisco is not just a network equipment company, because they provide us most of the solutions, development, protocols, and new technologies, more than any other company in the world. I also like the availability of Cisco Catalyst Switches, including scalability and reliability. You can find all these in this product.

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Hasan Haseeb

Senior Network Engineer at accrets

Jun 2, 2022

Excellent support, good pricing, and easy setup

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.

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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

"We decreased budgets on the support corporate network and increased user satisfaction."

"One of the main features of this solution is it is easy to manage."

"Cisco Catalyst Switches is very stable, configurable, and durable. It is also easy to manage."

"VLAN gives us segregation."

"The solution is beneficial for interconnecting POE telephones, computers, printers, and buffering networks."

"The benefit of the tool is that it is a stable product."

"The solution is very stable."

"We find the product very easy to configure."

More Cisco Catalyst Switches pros

"The platform's most valuable features are network switch functionality and fiber switch capabilities."

"PowerConnect Switches' stability is satisfactory."

"The security is the most valuable aspect of this solution. It also has good storage and resource handling."

"This solution comes with a lifetime warranty."

"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."

"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."

"The features I've found most valuable are that the product is very easy to configure and inexpensive."

"The setup is straightforward. It takes minimum time for deployment."

More Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] pros

Cons

"Services should be improved."

"The support is not the quickest."

"The product is expensive."

"Pricing mainly is the only issue."

"Cisco is a bit complex."

"The security of the solution could be improved, it is really important to us."

"I would like to see support for one-touch provisioning."

"The support team’s response and resolution time must be faster."

More Cisco Catalyst Switches cons

"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."

"You have to build the stackable interface by yourself in Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL], making it an area that can be considered for improvement."

"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."

"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."

"The network features are not good."

"The product price is an area of concern where improvements are required."

"Their hardware is not reliable, it's faulty."

"Because of the stackings you lose some boards and switches."

More Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The price is in an affordable range and everything is included."

"I rate the product price a nine on a scale of one to ten, where one is low price and ten is high price."

"The product is quite expensive."

"These switches are expensive."

"The price is too high for this market."

"It's very pricey. Compared to competitors, it's a lot more expensive."

"Pricing could be cheaper as well."

"The prices of Cisco devices are too high."

More Cisco Catalyst Switches pricing and cost advice

"This solution is much cheaper than comparable products by Cisco."

"Cheaper than its competitors"

"The solution is less expensive and more cost-efficient."

"Its price is okay. Sometimes, it is lower than a Cisco solution."

"The product is cheaper than Cisco and licensing is yearly. We have to pay additional costs for support."

"PowerConnect Switches are priced well."

"I would rate the pricing as a seven or eight."

"The price of these switches is okay."

More Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

59%

Computer Software Company

Government

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

18%

Government

Educational Organization

Manufacturing Company

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...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Catalyst Switches?

The solution is cheap.

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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

Arista Networks Platform vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 25% of the time

HPE ProCurve vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 16% of the time

Aruba Instant On Switches vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 14% of the time

Cisco Nexus vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 13% of the time

ExtremeSwitching vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 12% of the time

More Cisco Catalyst Switches Competitors

Cisco Nexus vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL]

Compared 11% of the time

NETGEAR Switches vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL]

Compared 9% of the time

HPE ProCurve vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL]

Compared 9% of the time

Arista Networks Platform vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL]

Compared 8% of the time

Dell PowerSwitch N-Series vs Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL]

Compared 7% of the time

More Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Catalyst Switches

October 2024

Download Cisco Catalyst Switches product report

Buyer's Guide

Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL]

October 2024

Download Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] product report

Also Known As

Cisco Catalyst, Catalyst

PowerConnect Switches

Learn More

Cisco

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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

Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco, HPE Aruba Networking, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and others in LAN Switching. Updated: October 2024.

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