cisco 2501 router

[joepc]

I just need some advice. I would like to purchase 2 cisco routers for studying for the cisco exams. I was thinking about purchasing 2 cisco 2501 routers with 16 MB Dram/16 MB Flash.

I don't really know much about cisco routers, so I was just wondering if those would be a good purchase. I just need something to practice with. If anyone could give me any advice it would greatly appreciated.

 

[rainman]

If you are purchasing these routers for testing purposes (passing an exam), I would hit up E-bay. It seems E-bay has alot of used Cisco equipment at a fraction of the original cost.

Just be careful as to whom you purchase from, but as long as they are a reputable seller you will get a better deal with an e-bay auction vs. buying Cisco equipment from any dealer.

Then when you are finished with the equipment, put it back on E-bay.


-Rainman

 

[joepc]

I did see these routers on e-bay, that's why I was curious if they would be good routers for training. If they are not can someone please recommend a router model that would be. I would also like to keep them because I already have a tech job. I just don't work much with routers because I have no real experiense with them. So If someone could just tell me if the cisco 2501 would a good choice, I would appreciate it.

Thanks

 

[ccnaorbust]

Don't buy one! Just buy a router simulator. They only run around 100 bucks, beats buying a router anyday. Have fun!

 

[wybnormal]

Here we go again... Sims have their place but not in my shop. On the road, in the air, they are fine. But, after having one CCNA who plugged his ethernet cable into the AUX port because *it fit* and did not understand what an AUI port was.. SIMs are banned. I've seen this happen time and time again. Even pilots who HAVE to have sim time, still have to fly the real plane in order to get their ticket. Why? because some things just can not be sim'ed well enough. Things like bugs in the IOS, trying to get an older IOS to work with a newer IOS.. things like turning the router into an IDS sensor.. mistyping the command close enough to another so there is not an error but the router doesnt work like it should and so on. All real stuff but yet none of it is simulated. How do you learn to make a T1 crossover cable on a sim? or why the DCE end is important? Or how a loose cable can cause you hours of grief and a slap on the head when you finally find it.

How do you practice swapping memory? how do you practice changing the boot roms or why do the boot roms need replacing?

Damn sims..

MikeS


Find me at

http://www.packetattack.com

"Take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots."
Sun Tzu

 

[joepc]

Thnaks for all the advice, but still NO one has told me if the cisco 2501 model router is a good router to practice with.

 

[tschouten]

Yes it's a good router to practice with and start a build for a lab. The more advanced you get then you will start to find what you want to use is different. But for starting, they are perfect. As for wybnormals comment, HERE, HERE! I think you could not have expressed that any more perfrect than you have. I agree, sims have there place and there use should be limited in the extreme. Not to mention everytime I have used them I want to play with other commands that just are not supported, truely limiting. Not to mention severely annoying!

 

[wybnormal]

A better router(??) is the 2514 which are pretty cheap now days. Why he asks? Well.. you get TWO serial ports and TWO ethernet ports. It's always handy to have extra ports in a lab. Not to mention with a DSL or Cable line you can play with *real world* configs since one ethernet feeds the LAN and the other feeds the DSL/Cable circuit. Then you can branch off with the serial to another router.

MikeS
Find me at

http://www.packetattack.com

"Take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots."
Sun Tzu

 

[ccbootcamp]

Yes, it's a good router to practice with, but I would recommend purchasing TWO of them. It's a great way to learn how routers/procotols/etc work at your own pace. Network Learning Inc

http://www.ccbootcamp.com

http://www.routerie.com

 

[amiak]

three 2514's are good for routing practice. two ethernet ports instead of one can really make a difference.

 

[likedoinit]

Yes I would have to say the 2501's are a great start. I purchased 2 of them off of ebay to help study for my ccna exam. I have all the router sims as well, and having the routers in hand is alot better than the sims. From my experience with my lab, I have found that having an extra ethernet port will come in handy. So if you can get the 2514, that might be a better choice. I have hooked up a cheap 4 port linksys router in front of my two 2501's and then I have a 1924 switch. The reason I hooked up my linksys was to have that do my NAT. I found that to be easier while configuring the routers to get out on the internet. So if you get a couple of routers, I would try to get on that has at least 2 ethernet ports and 2 serial ports. You will be alot happier with the stuff you can do.