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Dell EMC’s “newest switches” headline refers to a May 8, 2017 announcement: the S5100-ON and S4100-ON were the company’s first switches to ship standard with OS10 Enterprise Edition. Dell presented OS10 as an open, Linux-based networking platform, but “open” did not mean any operating system could run on any switch without compatibility and support limits.
What Dell EMC announced in 2017
At Dell EMC World on May 8, 2017, Dell EMC introduced the S5100-ON and S4100-ON switch families and said they would ship standard with OS10 Enterprise Edition. This is a historical announcement, not evidence that these are Dell’s newest switches today. Computerworld’s contemporaneous report said the S5100-ON was expected to ship by the end of October 2017 and reported an announcement-era starting price of about US$22,000 with OS10. Neither figure describes current availability or pricing.
How the two switch families were positioned
| Model or family | Announcement-era role and specifications |
|---|---|
| S5100-ON | Dell described a 25GbE in-rack switch with 100GbE uplinks for server connectivity and east-west data-center traffic. Dell claimed it offered more than twice the throughput of 10GbE switches for in-rack connectivity; that was Dell’s product comparison, not an independently reported benchmark. Dell EMC’s May 2017 announcement |
| S4100-ON family | Dell positioned the family for dense 10GbE fiber or copper server connections and Fibre Channel top-of-rack use, with 100GbE uplinks. The S4148U unified model supported Ethernet and Fibre Channel; Dell cited Fibre Channel speeds up to 32Gb. Dell EMC’s May 2017 announcement |
What OS10 Enterprise Edition included
OS10 Enterprise Edition was Dell’s networking operating system, not simply an interchangeable general-purpose Linux distribution. Dell described it as a modular, programmable platform built on technologies associated with the Linux Foundation and Open Compute Project. It supplied Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking and was designed to let customers integrate open-source functions and Linux applications. Dell EMC’s announcement
What “open networking” did—and did not—mean
The “-ON” naming and ONIE (Open Network Install Environment) signaled that supported hardware could offer a choice of network operating systems. Dell’s portfolio guide listed examples such as OS9, OS10, Big Switch and Cumulus for open networking switches. That choice is conditional: a particular NOS must support the exact switch model and release. Dell’s portfolio guidance and OS10 documentation direct users to platform compatibility information rather than promising universal interchangeability.
#1 Best Overall
- 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸: 5× 10/100/1000Mbps RJ45 Ports supporting Auto Negotiation and Auto MDI/MDIX.
- 𝗚𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆: Latest innovative energy-efficient technology greatly expands your network capacity with much less power consumption and helps save money.
- 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁: IEEE 802.3X flow control provides reliable data transfer and Fanless design ensures quiet operation.
- 𝗣𝗹𝘂𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆: Easy setup with no software installation or configuration needed.
- 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀: Prioritize your traffic and guarantee high quality of video or voice data transmission with Port-based 802.1p/DSCP QoS and IGMP Snooping.
- Check the precise combination. Verify the switch model against the platform list for the intended NOS release; support on one model or release does not establish support on another.
- Separate software choice from support responsibility. Dell’s SmartFabric OS10 10.5.1 guide requires an ONIE-enabled Dell device and points to release notes for supported platforms. It also says Dell does not support third-party software and drivers. Dell SmartFabric OS10 10.5.1 guide
- Do not assume identical features or licensing. The included OS10 protocol stack, optional software, vendor support terms and update paths depend on the NOS and release selected.
How OS10’s naming and Dell’s choices evolved
OS10 Enterprise Edition and SmartFabric OS10
Dell’s later documentation uses the SmartFabric OS10 name and describes a network operating system spanning multiple architectures and environments, with management, monitoring, networking stacks, and CLI, SNMP and REST interfaces. The guide’s platform and support rules are release-specific, so its terminology should not be read as a blanket compatibility guarantee for every 2017 switch. Dell’s OS10 10.5.1 guide
OS10 Open Edition and OpenSwitch OPX
OS10 Open Edition was a distinct product description, not another name for the 2017 Enterprise Edition launch. In a December 2018 datasheet, Dell said it contributed part of OS10’s base code to OpenSwitch OPX; the combined OPX code and Dell support was called OS10 Open Edition. The datasheet also described purchaseable enhancement packages and compatible models. Dell’s OS10 Open Edition material
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- 8 GIGABIT PORTS: Features 8 RJ45 ports supporting 10/100/1000 Mbps speeds, providing high-speed wired network connectivity for computers, printers, gaming consoles, and other Ethernet-enabled devices
- PLUG AND PLAY SETUP: No configuration required; simply connect the switch to your network devices and it is ready to use immediately, making network expansion quick and hassle-free
- FANLESS QUIET DESIGN: The fanless design ensures silent operation, making this switch suitable for noise-sensitive environments such as home offices, bedrooms, or conference rooms
- STURDY METAL CONSTRUCTION: Built with a durable metal housing and shielded ports that provide reliable performance, better heat dissipation, and protection against electromagnetic interference
- TRAFFIC OPTIMIZATION: Supports IEEE 802.3x flow control and advanced traffic optimization technology to reduce data bottlenecks and ensure smooth, efficient data transfer across your network
Rank #3
- 𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝟮.𝟱 𝗚𝗯𝗽𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿-𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: 5× 2.5-Gigabit ports unlock the highest performance of your Multi-Gig bandwidth and devices, and provide up to 25 Gbps of switching capacity.
- 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼-𝗡𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Auto-negotiation intelligently senses the link speeds and adjusts between 3-speeds (100Mb/1G/2.5G) for compatibility and optimal performance for all your devices, including 2.5G WiFi 6 AP, 2.5G NAS, 2.5G PCIe Adapter, 2.5G Server, gaming computer, 4K video, and more.
- 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗩𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘀: Built for LAN parties, home entertainment, small and home offices, and instant transfer for workstations.
- 𝗛𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗹𝗲-𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴: Instantly upgrade to 2.5 Gbps without the need to upgrade to Cat6 wiring, reducing wiring costs and hassle. *
- 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Industry-leading fanless design ensures silent operation, ideal for any home or business.
Rank #2
- GIGABIT ETHERNET PORTS: Features 5 x 1.0Gbps Ethernet ports for high-speed connectivity. Auto-negotiating ports detect the optimal speed for connected devices and work with existing Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cables.
- PLUG-AND-PLAY UNMANAGED NETWORK SWITCH: Simple plug-and-play setup with no software to install or configuration required.
- FLEXIBLE MOUNTING OPTIONS: Compact metal design supports desktop or wall-mount placement for versatile installation.
- SILENT & ENERGY-EFFICIENT OPERATION: Fanless design ensures silent performance, while IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet reduces power consumption without compromising high-speed network performance.
- REGIONAL COMPATIBILITY: Made for use in U.S. & CA only
A broader NOS portfolio
A Dell-sponsored paper published in July 2021 listed SmartFabric OS10, Enterprise SONiC Distribution and third-party offerings as network operating system choices. That is a dated, vendor-sponsored description of the portfolio, not a current head-to-head comparison or proof that any option suits a particular switch. Dell-sponsored 2021 networking paper
What to verify before using or buying a legacy S5100-ON or S4100-ON
- Identify the exact hardware. Confirm the model, installed components, port media and configuration; family-level descriptions do not establish the configuration of an individual unit.
- Match the operating system to the hardware. Consult Dell’s platform list and release notes for the exact NOS release, including ONIE requirements where applicable.
- Confirm entitlement and support. Establish which OS, license or enhancement package is included and who supports any third-party NOS, software or drivers.
- Check lifecycle and security status. Dell’s PowerSwitch support page includes OS10 vulnerability-remediation notices updated in 2026, but it does not establish one universal newest release or support status for every platform. Review current advisories and release notes for the specific model. Dell OS10 security advisory page
- Validate the actual transaction. For used hardware, verify condition, included software and licenses, current price, and availability with the seller; the 2017 reported price is not a current market quote.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
