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Tech Spec Roundup: Dell N-Series Switches

By Stacey Vanden Boogart-Romenesko

Dell may not be the first manufacturer that comes to mind in the networking world dominated by mainstays like Cisco and Netgear. However, Dell has taken aim for the low cost networking market with less-expensive, easy to use models. To this end, Dell’s N-Series Family delivers cost effective and energy efficient 1GbE and 10GbE switches that boast interoperability, reliability and scalability to make network administration easier. In this tech spec roundup, we’ll take a deeper look at the N-Series Family.

Starting with the standard features, all N-Series switches include 24-port and 48-port options that boast full-bandwidth utilization and high availability features, meaning optimal performance and minimal downtime. For those concerned with scalability and integrating into existing networks, the N-Series offers a more flexible choice in your network with the latest open standard protocols to unite products. They also promote greater interoperability through interfaces with Cisco's Rapid Per VLAN Spanning Tree (RPVST+)1 and devices using Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP).

The N-Series Family offers three different product families: the the N2000 Series, the N3000 Series, and the N4000 Series. Not sure which teir will fit your networking needs? Let’s break them down:

N2000 Series:

  • Designed to Connect Users and Devices to the Network
  • 1Gb Options
  • Includes 2 High Speed 10Gb SFP+ Uplinks
  • POE+ and Non-POE
  • Layer 2 Switching, and Entry Level Layer 3 Routing
  • Stackable, Able to Scale up to 600 Ports as One Logical Device
  • Pricing Starts Around $1900

N3000 Series:

  • Designed to Connect Users, Servers, and Storage to the Network
  • 1Gb Options
  • Includes 2 High Speed 10Gb SFP+ Uplinks
  • POE+ and Non-POE options, Dual Hot-Swap Power Supplies offer Redundancy and Powers up to 48 POE+ Ports
  • Advanced Layer 2 Switching and Layer 3 Routing Supports Communication between Networks
  • Stackable, Able to Scale up to 624 Ports as One Logical Device
  • Validated for Auto-Configuration with Dell iSCSI Storage Arrays.
  • Pricing Starts Around $2500

N4000 Series:

  • Designed for Server and Storage Connectivity
  • 10Gb Options
  • Includes 2 High Speed Copper or Fibre Connections up to 40Gb
  • Advanced Routing Capabilities Perfect for High-Speed Communication and Aggregation in Campus Networks or Data Centers
  • Stackable, Able to Scale up to 674 Ports as One Logical Device
  • Validated for Auto-Configuration with Dell iSCSI Storage Arrays.
  • Pricing Starts Around $7000

With this well-rounded product line, chances are you’ll find an option that will fit your business needs in the Dell’s N-Series Switch Family. Take a look at our selection of Dell N-Series Switches to find your best fit. We also offer a Networking Switch Selector to help you choose Cisco, Dell, or HP switches. In just a few clicks this informative tool takes the guesswork out of shopping for network gear! We also offer Product Selector Tools for easy selection of network routers and security. Click through to find the optimal option for your business!