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.
"The PoE capability of Catalyst Switches is great for using WAPs and other PoE equipment, such as security cameras."
"It can be expanded."
"One of the main features of this solution is it is easy to manage."
"They don't ever fail and they have a long service life."
"Easy to manage, with a long lifespan."
"I think it is a reliable and scalable solution."
"Cisco comes with built-in software access for network devices."
"The most important features are that Cisco is one of the most robust switches, it is easy to configure, and the documentation is pretty good."
"The security is the most valuable aspect of this solution. It also has good storage and resource handling."
"The most valuable feature of this solution is simplicity."
"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."
"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."
"There is high reliability since we have used them for close to twenty years and only had possibly one failure."
"The solution’s technical support is good."
"Dell PowerConnect Switches are very easy to configure with the GUI. Dell supports the solution even though it has been discontinued."
"Dell offers very good support."
"The tool is not user-friendly."
"The product could always be more secure."
"The solution could improve by having a video IP feature."
"All other modules have comparatively many more functions or power than regular Catalyst switches."
"Their price should be cheaper. We lose a lot of work because of the price that they have."
"Installing and configuring these switches requires the proper training."
"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."
"I think one switch should go beyond the 10 gig connectivity to 40 gigs."
"The IOS software that is used on the switches could be improved."
"I can't think of what we would want in the next release."
"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."
"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."
"Their hardware is not reliable, it's faulty."
"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."
"Because of the stackings you lose some boards and 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.