CCNA/CCNP HOME LAB $1000

[jsaucie]

Hello everyone,

I am looking to build a home lab to gain practical experience with cisco routers and switches in preparation for the CCNA and CCNP certifications exam. I have a budget of $1000.00. Your advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time.

 

[CiscoGuy33]

jsaucie,

First - start checking out the routers and switches on eBay - take your time and "Google" stuff you do not understand - if you do not know what a Cisco 2501 is then "Google" Cisco 2501 and LEARN

One of the BEST books as well as one of the only books I have EVER seen about setting up a home lab - Cisco Press CCNA Practical Studies by Gary Heap CCIE ISBN - 1-58720-046-5 - this is for the old CCNA exam 640-607 but it walks you through setting up a 8 router lab with 2500 routers - it covers getting the routers, configs, and even setting up a 2511 for reverse telnet so that you can console into any of the 8 routers. For about $16 used - GREAT Book !!!

http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/1587200465/002-6722661-1176834?SubscriptionId=18F0HAA4KWCRBW7SEZG2

For CCNA you really only need 3-4 routers and 2 switches but this will be the base for your CCNP lab - DO NOT TRY TO DO IT IN ONE FELL SWOOP!!!! Take your time and pick the best pieces - if you are lucky and find several together then you might save some shipping but lots of the kits add some really old junk at times.

Try to get 2 Cisco 2501/2503/2514 routers with 16 mgs DRAM and 16 mgs FLASH - that is the max for those routers, you also want the latest IOS you can find on at least 1 since Cisco DOES NOT give the IOS away for FREE!

Look at a Cisco 2520/2521/2522/2523 for your Frame Relay switch/router - they have many built in serial connections to connect several routers in a FR setup. Does not matter that the 2520 or 2522 are Token Ring - (might be cheaper) since this will be your FR switch.

You should look at a Cisco 2620 or 2621 for the fast ethernet conections so that you can do the switching and vlan labs, you will also need a WIC WAN module so that ytou can connect to the 2500s.

Switches - 2950 - not cheap, try to start with 1 and watch for another. You can make do with other Cisco switches as a place to plug in your Ethernet connects - but you will want a 2950 with the Cisco IOS on it so that you can do what the CCNA will question you on.


Once you have the routers, if you need DRAM, FLASH, cables, "ears" etc. check out -

http://www.anthonypanda.com

I have bought from him 3 or 4 times - he is in Hong Kong

At a Cisco Networkers convention all the CCIEs and CCNPs kept talking about getting parts from Anthony Panda

If you have questions about your Cisco equipment - GREAT FAQ here -

http://www.dslreports.com/faq/cisco

Some good points here on a CCNA home lab -

http://www.thebryantadvantage.com/HOME LAB Building One.htm

Hope this helps!


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

 

[jsaucie]

Hi CiscoGuy33,

Hey, thank you vey much for your help!!!! I have taken your advice and ordered the book you suggested. I am also on line,as we speak,looking at the routers and switch you mentioned. I just have one more question for you or anyone else out there. Do I need to buy a 3640 router for my lab or will the routers you have already suggested be enough to carry me through CCNA and on to CCNP? Thanks again for your time, help and the money saving advice you have already given me.

 

[CiscoGuy33]

jsaucie,

Just remember that parts of that book are out-dated since it was for the older CCNA - it shows you how to setup Token Ring and an IPX/SPX network - but about 70% of the book is great in all that it helps you to do for setting up a killer home CCNA/CCNP lab - just make adjustments where needed - like sub 2 2620 routers for the 2502/04 (Token Ring) and sub a 2950 for the Cisco Cat 1900 switch.

As for the 3640 router, I gave you a link to Building Cisco CCNA / CCNP Router Lab: A Beginner's Guide By Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933 - he has some very good advice about looking at the objectives of the exam that you are trying to meet and see if it is hardware or software (IOS) that will get you there. READ THIS PAGE - GOOD INFO !!!

This is where you will get a lot out of this by looking up the objectives of the CCNP exams (you will NOT need a 3640 for CCNA) and see if it has what you need for those exams. If it does and it is in your budget - get it now - if not get what you need for CCNA and add when you get there!

Right now 2 2950 switches, 2 2501 routers (maxed) and a 2620 with WIC and all the cables you will need will be very close if not over your $1,000 as it is now!

Good luck!



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

 

[burtsbees]

Don't forget---you can resell them on Ebay when you are finished, if you want---I had a 1720 at one time, put in a WIC-1ENET and sold it on Ebay 6 months later and made a bit more than what I paid! In fact, the guy was like, "Are you serious? Is this all you want for it???"

Burt

 

[CiscoGuy33]

Burt,

Exactly - Chris Bryant at his site I linked above says that you really are only renting the stuff - setup a lab for $1,000 - get your certs and then sell it on eBay for $750-$800. You just rented a lab for your certs for $200 - that is a deal

I never have seen or used any of Chris Bryant's study material but he has some good free stuff at his site!


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

 

[jsaucie]

Thanks guys for your input I will keep advice in mind.

 

[linux00]

hey I have a 2950 that I am not using anymore...
just contact me if you want more info i can sell it...
send me an email...

 

[burtsbees]

Does anyone know if a 2950 configured as a VTP server will jive well with two 2924's? Also, linux00---what's your email? Mine is burt_bees@yahoo.com. I think I may be interested...

Burt

 

[Cluebird]

2950 will work fine as a VTP server with the 2924s. Just make sure the trunks are using 802.1q tags since the 2950 supports only 802.1q trunks while 2924s support both ISL and 802.1q. Also, chances are the 2924s will win the spanning tree root bridge election so you will have to lower the BID on the 2950 if you want it to be the root.

HTH

 

[burtsbees]

Thanks cluebird.

Burt