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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3,248 Comparison Views

95% 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 Jan 12, 2025

Cisco Catalyst Switches and Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] compete in the network switch market, catering to different needs. While Cisco Catalyst Switches have an edge in advanced features and stability, Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] are notable for their cost-effectiveness and simplicity.

Features: Cisco Catalyst Switches are known for reliability with features like load balancing, VLAN capabilities, and PoE. They offer strong management options, scalability, and stability. Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] are valued for their ease of integration with other solutions and basic switching capabilities. They have a straightforward setup process and are suitable for basic network needs.

Room for Improvement: Cisco Catalyst Switches face challenges with high pricing and complex licensing. Users desire a more user-friendly configuration interface and better third-party integration. Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] could improve in scaling and stability, with enhancements in security features and integration capabilities.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco Catalyst Switch deployments are complex, especially for on-premises and cloud integrations, yet they provide responsive global customer support. Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] are easier to deploy for straightforward networks and offer reliable technical support, making them accessible for simpler requirements.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco Catalyst Switches are costly, with high initial pricing and additional costs for licensing, leading to a slower ROI. Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] are more cost-effective, offering quicker ROI due to lower pricing and being an attractive option for budget-conscious setups seeking basic functionality.

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March 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

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

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Featured Reviews

Joshua Odunsi

I.T INFRASTRUCTURE/SECURITY ADMINISTRATOR at Haggai Mortgage Bank Ltd

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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MOHAMEDELSHERIF

Senior Technical Consultant at International Turnkey Systems - ITS

You can cluster two switches together to increase redundancy in the environment

You can carry on a project without any consultation. Since the VxRail solution is experiencing significant growth and demand, integrating Dell PowerConnect switches becomes crucial. This integration enhances the VxRail server by offering three distinct solutions. Thus, this gives Dell PowerConnect an edge over Cisco. If you want to connect your virtualized environment and networks to your physical environment and users. In that case, Dell PowerConnect Switches, with VxRail, is the best choice for integrating such features into the hypervisor environment. This product is mainly targeted to virtualization environments. Therefore, Dell has considered this product's scalability, reliability, and robustness. If someone wants the server with VxRail as a free solution, I recommend going with the Dell PowerConnect. Overall, I rate the solution an eight out of ten.

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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 Cisco Catalyst is very stable and it can last for many years."

"The quality of a Cisco switch is very high. They are extremely stable."

"I highly appreciate the durability and the availability"

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

"Cisco Catalyst Switches are valuable for their reliability and performance."

"Configuring the solution is very easy. It's quite a straightforward process, and it's not difficult at all."

"I like the management of streaming both audio and video."

"Their technical support is good, one of the best in the industry."

More Cisco Catalyst Switches pros

"Dell PowerConnect Switches are very easy to configure with the GUI. Dell supports the solution even though it has been discontinued."

"The solution's most valuable feature is its good integration with solutions from other vendors."

"The technology is good and the interface is simple. We haven't had any bugs, disconnections or delays."

"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 most valuable feature of Dell PowerConnect Switches for me is the throughput. I also like that the product has more compatibility with Dell infrastructure, especially with EMC and new generation Dell servers. Dell PowerConnect Switches can also easily integrate with Dell servers, and this is another pro."

"We have these switches installed in an environment with hardware from many other vendors, and so far, so good."

"The most valuable feature is its ability to multitask."

"The tool is reliable, and it stands up well. The solution works fine and lasts a long time."

More Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] pros

Cons

"In terms of performance, Juniper switches have a more user-friendly interface and more features than Cisco switches."

"Pricing for this product is on the higher end, and is something that could be improved. Security could also be increased."

"They should make so that they let users know five to ten minutes before productivity is restored in the case of power loss."

"The product could be cheaper."

"Cisco is dedicated to providing their customers with the latest technology, but it comes with a price. It's expensive when compared to competitors' products."

"Needs to improve cloud services and mobile software."

"It would be helpful to have the ability to load new IOS software without performing a reboot or to be able to perform the reboot without disrupting end-users."

"We'd like Cisco to integrate with other solutions, including their own."

More Cisco Catalyst Switches cons

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"The product's infrastructure and connectivity features need improvement."

"The product needs to improve in terms of reports and backups."

"It would be great to have modules that integrate with SDN solutions such as Cisco ACI, Arista SDN, Huawei Agile, and IBM."

"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."

More Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The price could be improved."

"It is worth the money. The product is expensive, but the service they provide is very good, which makes it worth it."

"The price of the solution is expensive compared to other products from America or Europe. They should have more competitive pricing."

"Pricing from Cisco is expensive but we pay for the reliability."

"We must pay a high price for the product."

"There needs to be some improvement with the Cisco DNA licensing activation process, it is difficult at the moment."

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

"It's expensive."

More Cisco Catalyst Switches pricing and cost advice

"PowerConnect Switches are priced well."

"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."

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

"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."

"The product has a low price for the features it provides."

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

"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 initial cost was high but since they have lasted for over ten or twenty years they are worth it."

More Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL] pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

67%

Computer Software Company

Government

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

16%

Government

10%

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?

Although Juniper is cheaper, Cisco provides unique features that justify their pricing.

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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

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Compared 7% of the time

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Compared 6% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Catalyst Switches

March 2025

Download Cisco Catalyst Switches product report

Buyer's Guide

Dell PowerConnect Switches [EOL]

March 2025

Download 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

Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Netgear and others in LAN Switching. Updated: March 2025.

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