The current portfolio of PowerConnect switches are now being offered as part of the Dell Networking brand: information on this page is an overview of all current and past PowerConnect switches as per August 2013, but any updates on current portfolio will be detailed on the Dell Networking page.
PowerConnect was a Dell series of network switches. The PowerConnect "classic" switches are based on Broadcom or Marvell Technology Group fabric and firmware. Dell acquired Force10 Networks in 2011 to expand its data center switch products. Dell also offers the PowerConnect M-series which are switches for the M1000e blade-server enclosure and the PowerConnect W-series which is a Wi-Fi platform based on . Starting in 2013 Dell will re-brand their networking portfolio to Dell Networking which covers both the legacy PowerConnect products as well as the Force10 products.
Product line
The Dell PowerConnect line is marketed for business computer networking. They connect computers and servers in small to medium-sized networks using Ethernet. The brand name was first announced in July 2001, as traditional personal computer sales were declining. By September 2002 Cisco Systems cancelled a reseller agreement with Dell. Previously under storage business general manager Darren Thomas, in September 2010 Dario Zamarian was named to head networking platforms within Dell.
PowerConnect switches are available in pre-configured web-managed models as well as more expensive managed models.
there is not a single underlying operating system: the models with a product-number up to 5500 run on a proprietary OS made by Marvell while the Broadcom powered switches run on an OS based on VxWorks. With the introduction of the 8100 series the switches will run on DNOS or Dell Networking Operating System which is based on a Linux kernel for DNOS 5.x and 6.x.
Via PowerConnect W-series Dell offers a range of Aruba WiFi products.
The Powerconnect-J (Juniper Networks) and B (Brocade) series are not longer sold, except for the B8000e/PCM8428-K full FCoE switches. Most of these products are now replaced by Force10 models.
Legacy Devices
This page is about the legacy Dell PowerConnect switches that are no longer for sale. For the current portfolio please see the Dell Networking page.
All Dell switches will be re-brand-ed to Dell Networking and will then have a different naming-system based on a letter and a 4 digit number. But the current PowerConnect rack-switches will keep their current name until they reach 'end-of'sales', except for the (new) 8100 series: these will be renamed to DN N-40xx series. The existing Force10 switches will mainly keep their current name and numbering (e.g. DN S-4800 series, DN S-5000, DN-Z9000 etc.
2200 and 2300 series
Models 2216 and 2224 were unmanaged, 10/100 Mbit/s Ethernet over twisted pair switches, with 16 and 24 ports each, respectively. They were discontinued. The PowerConnect 2324 was similar to 2224, but includes 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports for uplink or server purposes.
2600 series
The PowerConnect 2600 series included the 2608, 2616 and 2624. They are un-managed Gigabit Ethernet workgroup switches with all ports at 10/100/1000 MBit/s. The 2624 model features an SFP port for fiber uplinks. They too are discontinued.
2700 series
The PowerConnect 27xx series of switchers were Web managed all-Gigabit workgroup switches (10/100/1000) with eight, 16, 24, or 48 ports respectively. Switches shipped in a plug-n-play un-managed mode and can be managed via a graphical user interface. They are discontinued.
2800 series
see Dell Networking - PowerConnect 2800 for details
PowerConnect 2808, 2816, 2824, and 2848 are dual-mode unmanaged or Web managed all-Gigabit workgroup switches (10/100/1000). 8, 16, 24, or 48 ports respectively. On the 2824 and 2848, there are an additional 2 small form-factor pluggable transceiver (SFP) modules, for fiber-optic connectivity. Switches ship in a plug-n-play un-managed mode and can be managed via a graphical user interface.
3400 series
PowerConnect 3424, 3424P, 3448, and 3448P were fully managed 10/100 switches with gigabit uplinks. All have four Gigabit ports, two copper and two SFP modular, all of which may be used at once. The 3424 and 3424P have 24 10/100 ports, the 3448 and 3448P have 48. The 3424P and 3448P provide power over Ethernet on all 10/100 ports (PowerConnect 3448P requires EPS-470 for full 15.4W on all ports simultaneously). The switches are stackable using the copper Gigabit ports. They were discontinued.