CCNA and telecomms

[brickit]

I have 15 yrs telecomms with IVR / VOIP exprience, my company is wanting us enginners to have a mote technical knowledge of the site to site communications, so we (me at first) ane doing the CCNA then hopefully CCNP in telecomms related areas.
Have decided to do the ICND1 first as i am not a network engineer.
What lab equipment would be needed for the CCNA and CCNP voice / VPN / secuity, i have access to POTS, 2 channel BRI and 30 channel PRI emulators so the router will need to accept cards for those interfaces.

 

[CiscoGuy33]

brickit,

Here is a link to Wendell Odom's blog at Network World where he has a 9 part series on setting up a CCNA lab -

http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/24916

I would suggest reading it in great detail before doing or buying anything, it will answer any and all questions about setting up a lab.

He also has one for CCNP -

http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/27576

As for voice or CCVP here is a good post by Kevin Wallace at Network World about a "home lab" for CCVP -

http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/36683

Starting with a good, high end CCNA lab will make it easier to use the same equipment for CCNP, CCVP and CCSP.

You also might want to look at some of the prior posts here, it has been discussed in GREAT DETAIL

Hope this helps!!

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

 

[maczen]

Nice post Gene!

I am inclined to agree! Start slow.. Piece together a CCNA lab and move on from there.. Equipment gets cheaper over time so wait to buy until you need it.. or are getting close!

You are safe where (future proofing) is concerned by starting out with any of the following models!

ROUTERS:
3660
3640
26xxXM (IE. 2610XM, 2611XM, 2620XM, 2621XM et. al.)

As far as switches go I would recommend buying three to practice the various switching technologies in the CCNA. Try any of the 2950 EI models like the 2950G!!!

B Haines
CCNA R&S, ETA FOI