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Buying 2 Router for the CCNA Test.
- Thread starter Statix
- Start date
Cisco 1601, 1602 work well.. you can back to back the serial with a DTC-DCE cable and with the 56K link, you can make a back to back from a couple of RJ45s and CAT5 cable.
For a bigger router, the 2503 is nice with the dual serial connections.. and they are relatively cheap.
Figure about 500-600 for the 1600s and about the same of the 2503. The beauty of the 1600s is they are small enough to fit into a laptop case for storage. Just get 8 meg flash cards on the 1600s.. 8 meg is the min on the 2500s.. 16meg is better. If you have cable or DSL in the house, a 1605R or a 2514 will let you play in the real world with a dual ethernet port. Expect to pay around 800 for one of those.. maybe higher.
I bought my last 3 routers off eBay. with some careful shopping and snipe software( take the hint) you can get a pretty good deal.
If you plan to get serious, then find a used 1900 switch with enterprise software so you can set up some VLANs and get that practice. they run about 500 or maybe less depending on how many are listed.
Mike S
"Diplomacy; the art of saying 'nice doggie' till you can find a rock" Wynn Catlin
For a bigger router, the 2503 is nice with the dual serial connections.. and they are relatively cheap.
Figure about 500-600 for the 1600s and about the same of the 2503. The beauty of the 1600s is they are small enough to fit into a laptop case for storage. Just get 8 meg flash cards on the 1600s.. 8 meg is the min on the 2500s.. 16meg is better. If you have cable or DSL in the house, a 1605R or a 2514 will let you play in the real world with a dual ethernet port. Expect to pay around 800 for one of those.. maybe higher.
I bought my last 3 routers off eBay. with some careful shopping and snipe software( take the hint) you can get a pretty good deal.
If you plan to get serious, then find a used 1900 switch with enterprise software so you can set up some VLANs and get that practice. they run about 500 or maybe less depending on how many are listed.
Mike S
"Diplomacy; the art of saying 'nice doggie' till you can find a rock" Wynn Catlin
bajaranger
Technical User
I am working towards my CCNP/CCIE and I just purchased two routers for myself on ebay. I acquired a 2501 and a 2504 as well as a MAU. The 2501 is a great basic router with two serial ports and an ethernet port. The 2504 has two serial ports, a token ring port, and an ISDN port. Between the two, I have several technologies that I can play with to prepare for my exams. I paid $1100 all together for the two routers and the MAU. I had to be patient and use snipe software to get good deals though, which I would also recommend to you.
One of the reasons I purchased the two 2500's is that they come with two serial ports. I plan on getting a third and I will be able to interconnect all three with back to back cables. If you plan on going further than CCNA that is something to consider as well as a switch(preferrably a 1900 or 2900 with enterprise). If you do decide to get 2500's, make sure you get routers with at least 8meg of flash and ram to be able to run images that support all the routing protocols. It would be preferable to get 16meg of flash for multiprotocol/enterprise images.
I am sure you could get a couple of 1600's that would do just as well, but I can't speak to them since I don't have any. I am happy with my 2500's though. Hope this helps.
One of the reasons I purchased the two 2500's is that they come with two serial ports. I plan on getting a third and I will be able to interconnect all three with back to back cables. If you plan on going further than CCNA that is something to consider as well as a switch(preferrably a 1900 or 2900 with enterprise). If you do decide to get 2500's, make sure you get routers with at least 8meg of flash and ram to be able to run images that support all the routing protocols. It would be preferable to get 16meg of flash for multiprotocol/enterprise images.
I am sure you could get a couple of 1600's that would do just as well, but I can't speak to them since I don't have any. I am happy with my 2500's though. Hope this helps.
- Thread starter
- #4
Statix-
Sniping is an looked down but winked at activity on eBay. eBay doesnt like it but buyers love it. It's a process using software to wait till the last several seconds to put a bid in, too late for anyone to respond to. You still might lose due another snipe and/or the max bid but it helps level the playing field in a hotly contested catagory.
I've bought and sold much on eBay.. if you are worried about the router not working etc, then use an escrow service where you may the check/MO to the service, they hold hold it for 3 days after your recipt of the item. You get the chance to check out the item BEFORE the seller is paid. Of course the seller needs to agree to this and most will given the amount of money at risk. There is a small cost to this but what is your peace of mind worth ?
Mike S
"Diplomacy; the art of saying 'nice doggie' till you can find a rock" Wynn Catlin
Sniping is an looked down but winked at activity on eBay. eBay doesnt like it but buyers love it. It's a process using software to wait till the last several seconds to put a bid in, too late for anyone to respond to. You still might lose due another snipe and/or the max bid but it helps level the playing field in a hotly contested catagory.
I've bought and sold much on eBay.. if you are worried about the router not working etc, then use an escrow service where you may the check/MO to the service, they hold hold it for 3 days after your recipt of the item. You get the chance to check out the item BEFORE the seller is paid. Of course the seller needs to agree to this and most will given the amount of money at risk. There is a small cost to this but what is your peace of mind worth ?
Mike S
"Diplomacy; the art of saying 'nice doggie' till you can find a rock" Wynn Catlin
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