Cisco NCS 1000 Optical Systems vs. Dell PowerConnect Switches (discontinued)

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Cisco NCS 1000 Optical Systems
Score 8.1 out of 10
N/A
Cisco Network Convergence System (NCS) 1000 Series delivers scalable optical transport designed for data center interconnect (DCI) and metro networks. Built for high-capacity applications, it supports dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) to enable fast, cost-efficient connectivity across long distances. The system allows for rapid response to bandwidth demand while reducing network complexity and footprint. Ideal for service providers and large enterprises, the NCS 1000 Series helps…N/A
Dell PowerConnect Switches (discontinued)
Score 8.1 out of 10
N/A
Dell PowerConnect were a series of managed and unmanaged ethernet switches for data centers, discontinued by Dell. They have been superseded by the PowerSwitch line of switches, from Dell.N/A
Pricing
Cisco NCS 1000 Optical SystemsDell PowerConnect Switches (discontinued)
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Cisco NCS 1000 Optical SystemsDell PowerConnect Switches (discontinued)
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Cisco NCS 1000 Optical SystemsDell PowerConnect Switches (discontinued)
Best Alternatives
Cisco NCS 1000 Optical SystemsDell PowerConnect Switches (discontinued)
Small Businesses

No answers on this topic

No answers on this topic

Medium-sized Companies
Dell PowerConnect Switches (discontinued)
Dell PowerConnect Switches (discontinued)
Score 8.1 out of 10
Extreme Networks Wired Access - Switches
Extreme Networks Wired Access - Switches
Score 9.0 out of 10
Enterprises
Cisco Nexus Series Switches
Cisco Nexus Series Switches
Score 9.3 out of 10
Cisco Ethernet Switches
Cisco Ethernet Switches
Score 9.1 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Cisco NCS 1000 Optical SystemsDell PowerConnect Switches (discontinued)
Likelihood to Recommend
9.0
(2 ratings)
8.0
(14 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(2 ratings)
Implementation Rating
7.3
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
7.3
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Cisco NCS 1000 Optical SystemsDell PowerConnect Switches (discontinued)
Likelihood to Recommend
Cisco
This Cisco platform creates a secure channel whereby all the company's data can easily be managed and the integration supports is on top, giving the user the ability to handle a huge amount of various data at once and the reports are very reliable and easy to make. Notification tools are very active and also network-building tools are effective and easy options for understanding.
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Discontinued Products
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.
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Pros
Cisco
  • Label switch routing.
  • Multiprotocol Label Switching Transport Profile.
  • Ethernet switching.
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Discontinued Products
  • 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.
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Cons
Cisco
  • Configuration of the features is not that easy.
  • Multiple network connections management to new users is turf.
  • Monitoring all the networks and servers performance through the tool.
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Discontinued Products
  • 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
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Usability
Cisco
No answers on this topic
Discontinued Products
The Dell PowerConnect switch is a great switch in certain use cases. It really works well when training users to set up their own vlans in a technology class. We have a lot of different scenarios happening at this company, with 8 different buildings and multiple different affiliate entities. For some of the departments, the budget is the most crucial element. That is where the Dell PowerConnect switches are a really great option.
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Support Rating
Cisco
No answers on this topic
Discontinued Products
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.
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Implementation Rating
Cisco
As it runs on XR there the config is very straightforward. We implement the design obtained from the engineering team and haven't had issues. I have opened few tickets to resolve any doubts and Cisco has been supportive so far.
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Discontinued Products
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Cisco
I have used Cisco 5000 series mostly as it has other L3 routing capabilities. We use it on core to route IS-IS, OSPF and also peer it on BGP.
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Discontinued Products
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.
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Scalability
Cisco
It supports hundred-gig links and ten-gig links, and scalability hasn't been a problem with this device. It can used on distribution layer.
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Discontinued Products
No answers on this topic
Return on Investment
Cisco
  • Better experience on network traffic management.
  • Obtaining processing reports is excellent.
  • Nice for the easy data moving.
  • Information sharing tool.
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Discontinued Products
  • 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.
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ScreenShots

Cisco NCS 1000 Optical Systems Screenshots

Screenshot of NCS 1010 ATO with NCS1K-ILA-L Optical ModuleScreenshot of NCS 1010 ATO with NCS1K-ILA-L Optical Module1Screenshot of NCS1010-SYS with NCS1K-ILA-2R-C= Optical ModuleScreenshot of NCS1010-SYS with NCS1K-ILA-2R-C= Optical Module