The PowerConnect 5500 series stacks up pretty well with the Cisco 3500 services. But the main reason for going with the PowerConnect and not the Cisco is the price. They both provide solid layer 2 networking so the most cost effective option would be the PowerConnect.
I like the Web connectivity of the Ruckus and being able to manage them from anywhere with a web browser. I still prefer to keep everything a Dell shop though.
(1) Cisco Small Business switches are a similar price point to PowerConnect, often with fewer features but with easier management. (2) Cisco traditional switches are more expensive than PowerConnect. They are of a similar level of complexity. These compare similarly in …
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 …
In terms of performance, they are pretty much similar and Dell PowerConnect was selected because of pricing. It offers the same solution that is needed for our environment but at a better cost. It offers 24 ports each capable of reaching Gigabit speeds.
Diretor de Tecnologia da Informação e Telecomunicação
Chose Dell PowerConnect Switches
I replaced all Alcatel on my network with Dell, they were gone and had neither accessible documentation nor technicians with enough knowledge to manage them or even provide support. However, I still use some of these brands, such as Cisco and HPE, but not as my network's …
It was chosen by Dell for the great cost-benefit that the equipment has. We have plenty of performance, security features, high-speed ports, high capacity uplink, native language support and warranty, great product technical documentation and especially for the price as well. …
I've used Cisco, Enterasys (are they still around?), HP, and Brocade. For the money, ease of ordering at Dell, support, and warranty, you really just can't go wrong with PowerConnect class 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.
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.
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.