CCNA home lab 1

[welshman213]

Hi all,

I am about to start to study for my CCNA and want to set my my own lab. I have acquired a 2500 router, is this of any use? What else will I need.

Thanks

John

 

[dogbert2]

3 2501's, and a 1924 switch with decent IOS installed will be all you need to pass the CCNA exam (which after Sept 30 will have EIGRP and Single Area OSPF on it, plus other goodies). The 2501 can be used as a Frame Relay switch or X.25 switch as well (A 4000M with 4 serial ints and 2 ethernet int's also makes a good FR/X.25 switch)

 

[davehills77]

Hi People,

About to start my CCNA , can you tell me if a 2509 router is any good?

Thanks

Dave

 

[jimmyzz]

Dave,
The 2500 series routers are excellent routers to acquire for your training lab. They are modular routers that come with serial ports and lan connection on board, as opposed to the newer model routers (ie.1600,1700,2600 etc) which require you to install WIC modules.

The 2509 in particular has the additional advantage of have 8 async serial port, which will come in handy later on when you want to setup reverse telnet ( a feature you will use when you acquire additional routers for your lab).

Start off by doing the basics.
1. Learn how to console into your router to gain local access.
2. Learn how the router boots into different modes by changing its config-register. You'll also do this as part of the password-recovery process.
3. Learn how to assign passwords, IP address to interfaces, setup local users.
4. Setup telnet access to the router via the ethernet.
5. Learn how to upgrade/replace flash via TFTP and xmodem.

Once you've learnt these basics, you should be able to "break" your router and reconfigure it from scratch. How?? Go to the cisco website and checkout the docos on the 2500 series. Everything from the hardware architecture to config samples are available.

Once you've got the basics then you're ready to move onto getting it to work as a router. Buy another router and learn how to communicate between the two via ethernet and serial interfaces (ie. simulate Frame Relay, a common WAN technology used in production networks). Then start on understanding routing such as static routes and dynamic routing protocols (ie.. OSPF, EIGRP, RIP, BGP).

A lot of people start learning about router want to jump straight into routing protocols without first understanding how to configure router basics and they get themselves into trouble early.

Hope this helps. JimmmyZ

 

[davehills77]

Jimmy,

Thanks for the reply, was beginning to wonder if the router i got was any good.

Have already managed to break the password and reset the router as per Cisco documentation so im onto getting the box setup for use on my home network.

I do have a little experience already in working with Cisco routers, so im not a complete novice. The company i work for have a huge network spanning the UK and EMEA region, so with a bit of luck, my request to move to network support will be accepted and i will be able to gain more experience before i decide to go for the CCNA.

Even so, i appreciate the time you took to give me some advice, and i may well call on your knowledge again should i need some more pointers.

Thanks again

Dave.

 

[destination]

HI i am aries,
I have just going take CCNA,i need ccna pratical lab to help me to pass my exam. If you any pratical lab, please
send me this lab sheet.




your sincerely,
aries Ng

 

[JimJx]

Just thought I would throw my .02 in here.....

I am also going for my CCNA and thought about setting up a lab at home. After talking to several people, I bought Boson NetSim instead. (Nope, I am not affiliated with them at all. )

But I love it. Everything I have thrown at it it takes. Haven't found any bugs in it. My instructor at school purchased the class version and found 1 problem with ISDN last week, but has already gotten that patched.

IMHO, for $250, it was a pretty good investment.

Jim

 

[Jsteve]

I went the same route when started my CCNA two years ago and I purchased Routersim. I thought it was the best thing since Christmas. But when I decided to move on further with my CCNP I have to either purchase another program or buy the real thing.

Now I wish I would have brought the real thing back when I started. My Lab now consist of a Cat5000 w/RSM, 10 2500s, 2 2600s and several more switches.

Trying to trouble shoot problems on the real thing, rather than the simulators, is a big difference.

I have seen 2500s go on ebay for at least $60 bucks. All you need is three and you are in business.

3 real routers = $180 (which can be used through your CCNP quest)
boston router sim = $250 (CCNA only)