CCNA Lab Equipment 4

[robt1]

I am planning on purchasing the following for my CCNA lab;
1..3640, 2620 and 2501 routers
2..2924, 1924 switches and rack to mount equipment.

I can also use this for future study for the CCNP.

My question is does the above meet all requirements for the hardware labs?

My background is a Field Service Computer tech for 26 years, worked with Enterprise servers, large system DASD, tape drives and robotics, network controllers and equipment, fiber optics, AIX software and various other hardware and software. Retired four years ago, looking to work part time or on special projects.

 

[CiscoGuy33]

robt1,

Looks like you have got a good start. Now you need modules, cables, DRAM, FLASH and the right IOSs.

3640 - is fine - you will need some Network Modules such as 1e2w or 2e2w for Ethernet connections and at least 1 WICs - WIC-1T for serial connection.

2620 - will need at least 1 WIC-1T for serial connection - has a Fast Ethernet connection built in.

2501 - MAX this with 16DRAM and 16 FLASH so you can get 12.3 IOS on this, you will also need a 10Base-T (RJ45) to AUI Ethernet Transceiver.

2924 - this should work if it is a 2924-XL with the right IOS to do trunking, VLANs and STP etc. .

1924 - this is no longer on test - really need a 2950 or another 2924-XL EN, might be able to use it in the mix for STP but you should have 2 of the tested switches - 2950s or 2924-XL EN.

Hope this helps!



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

 

[robt1]

Thanks CiscoGuy33, the information you provided is very much appreciated.

 

[maczen]

You know.. I have been contemplating the perfect CCNA lab in regard to cost/expandability toward CCNP and was thinking that this is about as good as you can get...

1x 3640 with 12.4 IOS (Frame Relay Switch)
---NM-4T or NM-4A/S

1x 2620 (For Inter-VLAN Routing)
---WIC-1T

3x 2950 (Supports all CCNA CLI syntax & Useability for CCNP is a big plus)

~Everything that I have read states that the SMI 2950 is more than sufficient for CCNA/CCNP~ (Will need 3550/3560's for CCNP as well)

Which prompts my question.. With my current lab..

Cisco
4x 3640
1x 2620
1x 2612
1x 2610
4x 2924XL-EN
1x 2950 (I am buying two more)

Other
3Com LANplex 2500 Layer 3 switch
2x Extreme Network Summit Layer 3 switches

I wish to add some 1841's (Thanks CiscoG)
and some 3550/3560

Wondering how many and of which item you guys recommend... Also what about the 2960's??? Looking to upgrade and solely on the CCNP track now....

 

[CiscoGuy33]

maczen,

Not sure if you really need the 1841 yet - I was just listing what the Cisco Network Academy feels a "pod" should have for CCNA training.

What they say is needed to do the labs in the new "Exploration" curreculum is -

3 1841 routers
3 2950 switches
3 work stations/ PCs

I do not think they list anything that is EOL, I think you are fine with the 3640s and 2600XMs as long as they can do IOS 12.4.

No need to rush out to get an 1841 unless you want "faster".

Just some thoughts!

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

 

[maczen]

Thanks,
I was thinking more along the line of CCNP though... Will see where I stand when I get there...

 

[gb0mb]

Wendell Odom put together a nice blog series on CCNA and CCNP equipment. Check it out.

http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/lans/2008/060208lan1.html

Well worth a look they cover it all. (at least for a ccnp lab never read the ccna one.)

Gb0mb

........99.9% User Error........
Ubuntu -- African for I can't install Gentoo

 

[CiscoGuy33]

gb0mb,

GREAT LINK !!!!!!

Here is exactly what anyone who asks needs to know about setting up a CCNA or CCNP lab

I read through all the posts he has and it is (as are his books) very well done!!!!!

Thanks for the link!


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

 

[maczen]

Yes.. Thanks for the links guys!!!