Dell PowerConnect

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 Aruba Networks. 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.

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.

As of 2013^[update] 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.

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