What users are saying about
Top Rated
345 Ratings
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>trScore algorithm: Learn more.</a>Score 9.1 out of 100
Based on 345 reviews and ratings
Dell PowerConnect Switches
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring#question3' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>Customer Verified: Read more.</a>
Top Rated
33 Ratings
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>trScore algorithm: Learn more.</a>Score 9.2 out of 100
Based on 33 reviews and ratings
Attribute Ratings
- Dell PowerConnect Switches is rated higher in 2 areas: Likelihood to Recommend, Support Rating
Likelihood to Recommend

9.1
Cisco Catalyst Switches
91%
63 Ratings

9.4
Dell PowerConnect Switches
94%
18 Ratings
Support Rating

9.0
Cisco Catalyst Switches
90%
1 Rating

9.1
Dell PowerConnect Switches
91%
3 Ratings
Likelihood to Recommend
Cisco Catalyst Switches
There are so many scenarios where Cisco Catalyst Switches are well suited like if the switch needs to move multiple frames in the same port, switch the frames directly to the memory, sending them one at a time, thus avoiding collisions. Selecting specific endpoints prevents Ethernet collisions from happening. The switch is very secure, as it makes any hole directly in contact with any other port. The cost of the number of ports is relatively high.
Executive Assistant
MultitechserversInformation Technology & Services, 11-50 employees
Dell PowerConnect Switches
We work in the electric industry. These should not be used in a high-heat environment. We like to keep the temperature of the room in the low 60's so they are not suited for our Substation locations due to extreme heat and cold. However, they perform great in a server room.
Network Administrator
Deaf Smith ElectricUtilities, 51-200 employees
Pros
Cisco Catalyst Switches
- Stability and Reliability - We have not had many failures over the past years using Cisco Catalyst switches.
- Flexibility - Cisco Catalyst switches offers a wide portfolio of switching equipment which can address a variety of needs. This includes switches with stacking and non-stacking capability, fixed rackmount and chassis options which can be mounted in data centre racks and and also compact switching which may be more feasible for small SOHO offices.
- Scalable Performance - Cisco Catalyst switches offers various port speeds from 1Gbps 10Gbps, 100Gbps etc. This is available in both copper (RJ45) and fibre (SFP). Many models also offer a variety of uplink speed options which future proofs the invest in Cisco technologies allowing us to upgrade depending on our changing business requirements and available budgets.
Solutions Architect
Baraka Technology GroupInformation Technology and Services, 51-200 employees
Dell PowerConnect Switches
- Reliable.
- Excellent hardware support from Dell including 4 hour parts/replacement.
- Excellent technical support from Dell on software, troubleshooting, and configuration.
- More affordable than its main enterprise competitors.
- Easy to use CLI.

Verified User
Executive in Information Technology
Information Technology & Services Company, 11-50 employeesCons
Cisco Catalyst Switches
- Would like to see a second power supply so it can get power from two different sources.
- Hard to find a USB flash drive that will work when loading images for upgrade.
- IOS upgrades are a pain to perform. Upgrades should be an easy process. Would like to perform the upgrade through a web browser.

Verified User
Engineer in Information Technology
Transportation/Trucking/Railroad Company, 10,001+ employeesDell PowerConnect Switches
- Precarious graphical (GUI) mode, needing to be updated for more efficient technologies such as HTML5
- Short support time, given how much these devices support in terms of use. I have owned the devices for years, but no longer have a warranty
Diretor de Tecnologia da Informação e Telecomunicação
Câmara Municipal de CampinasGovernment Administration, 501-1000 employees
Pricing Details
Cisco Catalyst Switches
General
Free Trial
—Free/Freemium Version
—Premium Consulting/Integration Services
—Entry-level set up fee?
No
Starting Price
—Dell PowerConnect Switches
General
Free Trial
—Free/Freemium Version
—Premium Consulting/Integration Services
—Entry-level set up fee?
No
Starting Price
—Support Rating
Cisco Catalyst Switches
Cisco Catalyst Switches 9.0
Based on 1 answer
We rarely have issues with the product. I have only had to contact support one time since we put it in and that was to see if another vendor was giving me accurate information on an issue I was having.
Systems Administrator II
Vast BroadbandTelecommunications, 201-500 employees
Dell PowerConnect Switches
Dell PowerConnect Switches 9.1
Based on 3 answers
Dell ProSupport is outstanding. Dell ProDeploy is likewise outstanding. I prefer them even over traditional Cisco support. I've had repeated cases where Dell immediately addressed or fixed an issue with US-based support, including firmware hotfixes. Not even Cisco can boast that.

Verified User
Executive in Information Technology
Information Technology & Services Company, 11-50 employeesAlternatives Considered
Cisco Catalyst Switches
D-Link switches are nice switches with many features. They are also less expensive as compared with other options in the market. However, they are not built to handle large amounts of traffic in large enterprise networks or ISPs networks. Cisco Catalyst switches on the other hand are enterprise-grade switches which perform really well under heavy loads.
Network Administrator
Pak Suzuki Motor CompanyAutomotive, 1001-5000 employees
Dell PowerConnect Switches
I selected Dell mainly due to previous experience using them in a business environment. I've never had a unit fail on me and when my budget for equipment like network switches has been less than a training class on how to use those switches, it's incredible to be able to find quality equipment at the price point Dell offers and even more so when their enterprise support has been as excellent as I have been accustomed to dealing with. In all honesty, even if I had a larger budget, I would have bought these same switches since they were exactly what I needed to suit my needs. We looked into HPE/Aruba network switches, and while they would have performed everything we needed and more, they were almost four times the cost of these Dell network switches. That's a hard sell when it comes to planning a tight budget.
IT Director
Clark County Juvenile CourtGovernment Administration, 51-200 employees
Return on Investment
Cisco Catalyst Switches
- Cisco catalyst switches have allowed our networks to run smoothly with no interruptions.
- These switches are scalable so we were able to add more switches as needed, without interrupting the network activity.
- Automation techniques allowed us to deploy configuration with minimum effort.
Principal Network and Security Engineer
Cheetah DigitalMarketing & Advertising, 1001-5000 employees
Dell PowerConnect Switches
- Reports are easily created and very useful.
- Quick creation of different network connections.
- Excellent and secure channels for multiple data management.
- Great data visualization options offered by Dell PowerConnect Switches.
Senior Project Manager
Linio GroupInternet, 1001-5000 employees