Are old 2500 routers ok for CCNP? 1

[Ernes]

Hello,

I have the CCNA and now I'm planning to go for CCNP (or CCSP, CCVP, CCIP, not sure yet) and even thinking of CCIE!

So, I am looking for a lab. My problem is that I don't know which routers are best for such a lab. I have seen on ebay some 2500 routers. Are they obsolete? Will I be able to try everything I need for my studies with them? Are they upgradable? Or do I need routers that are currently on sale, (like the 2600 series)?

I have seen a couple of labs on ebay I don't know which is best. I wish I had the email address of CiscoGuy33!!

 

[gwildfire]

2500s are getting old and it shows for the different security, remote access, and QOS tasks that you should study.

You cannot do class based marking directly in a policy-map. You have to police and mark the the packets with the exceed action. Also, NBAR is unhappy when you run it

The 2500 also does not allow you to configure SSH. Also, some of the advanced IPSec/remote access options are not available (even with the latest IOS).

You should at least try to get one 2620 or a 3620. One FE port will suffice but two is better. The 2600 series is cheaper but the lower end models are starting to show their age as well. The latest full feature 12.2T IOS does not run on anything but the XM and higher end non-XM routers.

You can pick up BRI and PRI/T1 wics pretty cheap on Ebay. WIC-2A/S are also good for doing multilink, LFI, and different remote access tasks

 

[Ernes]

Thanks a lot gwildfire. I also asked Cisco but they couldn't give me any answer, so I really apreciate this info.

I must confess I don't understand/remember half of the things you're telling me, but I do understand that 2500 routers are a bit too old for my plan.

I've been checking 2600XM routers on e-bay: Jesus, they're expensive!

So, if I buy only one of those 2600XM and some 2500, will that be a decent lab? Or do I need two 2600 at least? Or I should not go for any 2500? Any specific model I should get or I should avoid? I mean for the 2500 series.

And for the 2600 series, which models exactly are already too old for my studies?

And, what about switches? Any recommendation?

Sorry, I'm a bit lost, any info is welcome.

 

[JOAMON]

Take a look at the 1700 series. They come standard with one fastethernet port and with the addition of a wic-1enet would give you a decent routher for practice. Wic-1enet only 10base-T but when on WAN side does not really matter...can use Fastethernet on Lan side. You could get a 1720 with wic-1enet on ebay for around $300.00.
Take a look at the following link...it is for a 1750 which is even better than the 1720 as it can support voice and has more expansion slots than the 1720.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=73321&item=5767088326&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

For switches try to get the 2950 series.....yes they are a little pricy but will need that series as it is IOS based.

 

[gwildfire]

a couple of 26XX/36XX coupled with some 2500's will make a good lab. Although I mentioned the things 2500's cant do they can do most things you need. An ideal lab would be lots of 26XM series routers but in the real world that isnt going to happen. Have a look at my lab which is on the link below these are what I used for BSCI and BCMSN now I am working on BCRAN



Visit

http://www.Cisco-Engineer.com

for free Cisco rack access.

 

[CiscoGuy33]

Ernes,

For some things 2500 routers can still fit the bill for CCNA and CCNP and since they can be gotten for next to nothing......

I agree with gwildfire, several 2600s or 2600mxs will be needed to do things that will require the latest, greatest IOS from Cisco such as most of the security, IDS, and firewall stuff for CCSP.

With that said the 2500s can still be usefull.

A 2520, 2521, 2522 or 2523 still makes a GREAT Frame Relay switch.

A 2509 or 2511 is GREAT for access to all the consoles in your stack by reverse telnet.

2 2503s and an ISDN sim for learning ISDN.

Several 2500s are great for setting up and understanding RIP, OSPF, IGRP, EIGRP, PPP, Frame Relay etc.

I have a lab of 800s, 2500s, and 2600 routers and can do almost all I need for CCNP but I am always watching Ebay hoping to pickup another piece for the perfect lab.

Thanks to some great sims , free online router stacks and some pay stacks for the rest that I need for CCNP.

I hope this helps!!

E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +

 

[wybnormal]

If all you want are routers and basic switches, then seriously consider a simulator like Boson. They have two versions, CCNA and CCNP. The only difference is the command set available. I've tested it against other simulators and wrote the results up for CNET and Boson was the clear winner. And this is from someone who up to just a few years ago would never have recommended a sim over hardware.

No piles of hardware, no breaking the bank, no noise, portable for studying in the local coffee house etc.

EA's comment about rental racks is well put. If you have to use real stuff, then rent it. Dont buy it. For my last project with a 3550, I just rented a rack for two days at the total cost of 60 dollars vs. the 1600 of buying a single 3550.

MikeS

http://www.packetattack.com

http://www.packetpress.net

Home of the book "Network Security Using Linux"

 

[gwildfire]

Also I offer a free rack acces no strings attached. Cant agree with the buying the sim and not buying real equipment, there are some things you cant do with sims, and I cant imagine people could go all the way to CCIE without even clapping eyes on a Router! I would sugggest the only way that has been done it by using illegal dumps!

Visit

http://www.Cisco-Engineer.com

for free Cisco rack access.