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.
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.
"Cisco Switches are more stable in terms of hardware and firmware, rather than Juniper Switches."
"Overall top of the line solution."
"Technical support is always very helpful and fast to respond."
"The solution is extremely flexible."
"The technical support is at an expert level."
"It is easy to use."
"The product is stable, and it performs well."
"The most valuable feature of this solution is communication."
"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."
"Their support has been excellent, and it has been quite stable and easy to set up."
"The most valuable feature of this solution is simplicity."
"Dell PowerConnect Switches are very easy to configure with the GUI. Dell supports the solution even though it has been discontinued."
"The most valuable feature is stability."
"The most valuable features of the solution stem from the fact that it is a stable and reliable product covered with good warranties and prices that ensure deep discounts for partners."
"The features I've found most valuable are that the product is very easy to configure and inexpensive."
"This is a very reliable solution."
"All other modules have comparatively many more functions or power than regular Catalyst switches."
"We have configurations for port channels between two facilities, and we cannot communicate between these two buildings. An SFP configuration uses one wire to send and receive the signal. It's opt-in. We cannot use it after the upgrade. What can we do in this situation? We already bought it."
"Cisco should focus more on this type of product instead of on data center switches. They stopped improving the software of these switches and they are focusing on the data center. They should focus on this type of product, more than any other thing."
"We would like the solution to be more stable."
"Cisco Catalyst Switches' pricing can be cheaper."
"I think one switch should go beyond the 10 gig connectivity to 40 gigs."
"Cisco should work to lower its costs. It's quite expensive right now."
"The product’s pricing needs improvement."
"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."
"A user can take care of the product's installation part, but it may not seem to be an easy process."
"Dell is sometimes slow to provide updates to firmware."
"The solution could provide more integration to focus on targeting the network as a whole rather than a unified environment. It is meant for a built environment, so integration with other third-party vendors will likely be necessary."
"More stable firmware releases would be an improvement because we have had them randomly power on and off."
"The CLI for Dell PowerConnect Switches is sometimes confusing, especially with the LAN, but for the GUI it is simple."
"The one issue you face in the industry there is always some planned obsolescence in these switches."
Cisco Catalyst Switches is ranked 1st in LAN Switching with 171 reviews while Dell PowerConnect Switches is ranked 3rd in LAN Switching with 30 reviews. Cisco Catalyst Switches is rated 8.6, while Dell PowerConnect Switches is rated 8.0. The top reviewer of Cisco Catalyst Switches writes "Reliable and stable catalyst switch; can be easily installed". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Dell PowerConnect Switches writes "Excellent support, good pricing, and easy setup". Cisco Catalyst Switches is most compared with Arista Networks Platform, Cisco Nexus, HPE ProCurve, ExtremeSwitching and Aruba Instant On Switches, whereas Dell PowerConnect Switches is most compared with Cisco Nexus, HPE ProCurve, NETGEAR Switches, Arista Networks Platform and Dell PowerSwitch N-Series. See our Cisco Catalyst Switches vs. Dell PowerConnect Switches report.
See our list of best LAN Switching vendors and best Data Center Networking vendors.
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.