CCNA Home Lab

[Mikel05]

Hello everyone,

I know there have been previous post on this subject. I have read them. I hope you take the time to help me "not waste" money. I decided to go for a 2 router setup. I will go through CiscoKits. I know ebay may save me some money, but Cisco kits seems to be reputable. Now I plan on buying a 2610 or 2611 and a 2520.

This is for you experienced guys. Please point out any thing extra I need or even differant routers. What are the draw backs of putting a 2600 and 2500 series together (is any). Your input is very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Mikel

 

[CiscoGuy33]

Mikel05,

Make sure the 2520 is maxed out 16/16 on FLASH and DRAM and try to get 2611/10 with maxed out 64/16 and latest greatest IOS.

Make sure you get the right serial cables (and WIC card for the 2611) to connect the routers.

For CCNA I would get one more router, maybe a 2610 or a 2501 or 2514 and then you could make the 2520 a frame relay switch or when not doing Frame relay you would have a 3 router setup - all sims I have ever seen on the CCNA have 3 routers, you may not configure all 3 but you have 3 routers.

GREAT LAB -

PC --- switch VLAN 1                                 switch VLAN 3 --- PC
                     >2611 ---- 2520 (FR) ---- 2514 <
PC --- switch VLAN 2                                 switch VLAN 4  --- TFTP server (PC)

For the switches you could get 1 1912 switch and divide into VLANs (just connect 1 cable to the PC and 1 cable to the Ethernet port on the router in each VLAN) and then hang 4 cheap PCs off it to telnet and console around your lab. Or you can pick up Cisco Fast 400 hubs for very low prices on Ebay and hang your PCs off them, you can get a feel for real networking.

When it comes to learning switching you will need a 2900 with IOS.

Hope this helps!



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

 

[Mikel05]

Thanks,

Once again CiscoGuy. Thank you. Unfortunately it looks like 2 routers to start. Thanks for the input.


MikeL

 

[CiscoGuy33]

MikeL,

It is a start and you can learn and try lots of things with 2 routers.

Good luck!



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