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Cisco 550X Series Stackable Managed Switches vs. Dell PowerConnect Switches (discontinued)

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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Cisco 550X Series Stackable Managed Switches

    Score8 out of 10
    N/ACisco 550X Series Stackable Managed Switches include capabilities and management options needed to support applications today and in the future, such as security, advanced QoS, comprehensive IPv6 support, and Layer 3 dynamic routing.N/A

    Dell PowerConnect Switches (discontinued)

    Score8 out of 10
    N/ADell 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 They have been superseded by the PowerSwitch line of switches, from Dell.N/A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 550X Series Stackable Managed SwitchesDell PowerConnect Switches (discontinued)
    Editions & Modules
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    Cisco 550X Series Stackable Managed SwitchesDell 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 550X Series Stackable Managed SwitchesDell PowerConnect Switches (discontinued)
    Considered Both Products
    Cisco
    No answer on this topic
    Discontinued Products
    Chose Dell PowerConnect Switches (discontinued)
    Dell PowerConnect Switches were for departments with smaller budgets. We used to be mostly a CISCO shop. When CISCO changed its license model, it became very expensive so we had to look for more economical server options. At one time we were a mostly Dell shop. Cisco is …
    Incentivized
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Delivers good value for the price
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Happy with the feature set
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Implementation went as expected
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Best Alternatives
    Cisco 550X Series Stackable Managed SwitchesDell PowerConnect Switches (discontinued)
    Small Businesses
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Medium-sized Companies
    RUCKUS Ethernet Switches
    Score10 out of 10
    RUCKUS Ethernet Switches
    Score10 out of 10
    Enterprises
    Cisco Ethernet Switches
    Score9.1 out of 10
    Cisco Ethernet Switches
    Score9.1 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    Cisco 550X Series Stackable Managed SwitchesDell PowerConnect Switches (discontinued)
    Likelihood to Recommend
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    8.0
    (14 ratings)
    Usability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    8.0
    (1 ratings)
    Support Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.1
    (2 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    Cisco 550X Series Stackable Managed SwitchesDell PowerConnect Switches (discontinued)
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Cisco
    It works very well as stack of core switches in small/medium company with 4x 10Gbit SFP+ interfaces. Native stacking is simple and in ring topology every switch has 2 redundant connections. They support maximum of 8 units per stack. You could use Cisco SG500X in hybrid stack with other series of switches, but make sure if other switch is compatible with hybrid mode stacking. Hybrid stack mode lower the number of units in stack. You should consider other model of switches if you need more then four SFP+ ports to connect more access switches using fiber cables.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    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.
    Incentivized
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    Pros
    Cisco
    • Easy to create stacking
    • Easy to configure using web interface or command line
    • Similar command line to Cisco IOS
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    Cisco
    • Missing command line options like show running-config "| include, exlude"
    • Possibility to connect to switch using usb console cable or usb dongle
    • Missing vtp protocol support, only gvrp available
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    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
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    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.
    Incentivized
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    Alternatives Considered
    Cisco
    Cisco 550X switches stack using 10Gbit SFP+ ports on the front, while Dell N Series has dedicated ports (with cables) on the back of the unit. On the other hand dell N switches has number on small digital display showing stack member number, which is easier to identify. The cisco switches has dot beside the number of the switch member. I think Cisco devices are more reliable and stable than dell switches.
    Incentivized
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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.
    Incentivized
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    Return on Investment
    Cisco
    • Money savings as they are cheaper than competative Cisco IOS switches
    • Cisco Business Switches has limited lifetime warranty
    • Good switching capacity, and reliability
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots