cisco router for lab!?

[C0mmUN1cAt0r]

Hi, I think I may have posted something similar to this before but would have been a while back so just incase time has passed by and things have changed!I am looking to setup a bit of a lab for the ccna to practice on, first step is a couple of routers. I quite like the smaller ones for space more than anything, on the cbtnuggets vid, jeremey recommends th 800 series however they are £200 up so not an option. Are there any other smaller sized models people could recommend, routers that are relatively cheap but yet contain everything in the IOS as things stand on the CCNA now?also whilst on it a switch model recommendation?Thanks

 

[OzzieGeorge]

Not too small but 2600XM was my router of preference, old enough to be reasonably priced and upgradeable to be capable of voice should you decide to go down that track later. If however size is really an issue, don't buy any routers, Just get packet tracer which is a simulator which is capable of everything you will need for the CCNA!

 

[leedsit]

Hi,

I have access to all kinds of routers etc at work for my training needs but to be honest the best tool i have used by far and which I used at home for my CCNP and CCIP is GNS3. As long as you can get hold of the IOS, its a fantastic tool. It is like using the real thing without all the expensive kit. I recently passed my final QOS exam last month just by using this tool/Books and Manuals.

HTH, Lee.

LEEroy
MCNE6,CCNP,CWNA,CCSA,Project+

 

[iolair]

I used a 2621XM and was able to do anything I wanted for the exams. Used, you can pick one up for a fair price, not cheap, but certainly not the high cost of new routers. Good luck with your lab and exam.

Iolair MacWalter
Network Engineer

 

[C0mmUN1cAt0r]

thanks for this, either down the physical kit route or the simulator route wheres best to get scenarios to practice, I am completing the icnd 1 cert first followed by icnd 2, I want to find something which will allow me to go through all things I should expect to come across from the simulator cert sections, I have dabelled with packet tracer before but I could do with a link to samples I could work through.

leedsit whats the gns3, is this a free simulator? also you mention getting hold of the IOS how do you mean?

Thanks

 

[lerdalt]

Take a look at this link for equipment:

http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/24916

Wendell Odom did a great job putting together some lists for equipment.

I've used a mix of GNS3/dynamips (which is an open source software emulator) and real equipment. Definitely helps the pocket book from trying to buy a couple of routers to go with the open source software, only challenge can be getting copies of the right IOS to run on them.

If you do some web searches you should be able to find some good suggestions for lab setup. When I was going through CCNA/NP I liked having 4 routers setup using either serial links, or ethernet connections and configure the networks with RIP, EIGRP, and OSPF.

As for switches, I'd say nothing below a 2950 switch, and will probably want 3 of them to really dig into the spanning-tree and rapid spanning-tree.

 

[leedsit]

With GNS3 you have to supply the actual Cisco IOS for it to run, so it does actually run the code as if its on the Device. I.E is you get a 7200 series router code, you can create a map (network) with 1,2,3,4 or as many as you want 7200`s(and others if you have the code). Configure the cards and connect them using links from ATM, Serial, Ethernet etc. As real packets actually flow over the devices. You can even link one of your PC nics to the virtual network and have packets traverse from the real network onto your logical network, its that good. As long as the IOS code supports it, GNS3 will run it, BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, QOS, MPLS... perfect for training upto and Including CCIE in my opinion.

Lee

Lee

LEEroy
MCNE6,CCNP,CWNA,CCSA,Project+

 

[CiscoGuy33]

avayaitup,

I am so glad that Lerdalt listed the link to Wendell Odom's blog on setting up a home CCNA lab READ IT !!!!! It has all the information you need and will want to know as you enter into this area.

I love Packet Tracer and GNS3 but unless you REALLY understand end to end networking, it helps to get your hands dirty and play with REAL EQUIPMENT !!!!

We just had a lab here at school where we gave the students laptops and told them to connect to the Cisco pods and use TFTP to download the IOS and config files ........ most of these students are "in the industry" well, they had the worst time just getting the laptops on the same network with the routers, most are so used to networks where DHCP takes care of the IP, subnet mask, gateway etc.

I once setup a network with the school lab routers that spanned 6 different rooms and crossed from one side of the building to the other and involved 25 different routers, 10 different switches and 8 different PCs - looking at the routing table with a "show IP route" was very interesting and being able to telnet to every router and switch from end to end was a great learning experience for the students

Understanding how each different PC in a different network could get on and communicate throughout the network, and to be able to walk from room to room and touch the equipment and understand the role it was playing ....... You don't need 25 routers, but doing the same with 2 PCs, 3 routers and 2 switches helps you understand a lot - then you go and break it and figure out how to confiure it again

LEARN, PRACTICE and UNDERSTAND end to end networking!!!

As far as labs - as you read your books that you are using to study for the CCNA, if they talk about a command - try it - look at the output, UNDERSTAND IT !!!! Learning by doing, the more you do it yourself, the more you will pick it up.

If you want more labs then just Google "Cisco Network Academy lab book" - I found links to used copies at Amazon for $0.79 - these will give you plenty of practice !!

PRACTICE, PRACTICE and then PRACTICE some MORE !!!!!!

Good luck!!!

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

 

[C0mmUN1cAt0r]

hi thought the above through with the simulator stuff aswell, however decided I want to buy actual kit so have opted for

2 x 1720 routers
1 x 2950 switch

have read on a site that this will do me for ccna, anyone confirm this?

I read the wendel thing but as like quite a lot of forum posts people are not specific enough and he leaves you questioning still exactly what to buy,

 

[maczen]

Gene/Lerdalt,

Good posts guys. I would include

http://www.blindhog.net

but other than that you seem to have covered it all. Sorry that I have not been as active as I used to be lately. I will be back in about a year... In the meantime shoot me and email Dalt... Yours is the only number that I am missing now. Talk to you guys later.

billy.haines@gmx.com

Billy Haines
CISSP Associate, CCNA Security, CCNA R&S, ETA FOI

 

[CiscoGuy33]

avayaitup,

1720s are ok but you really need at least 1 router to do 12.4 IOS, I would look for a 26xxXM router - 2610/11XM, 2620/21XM or 2650/21XM.

And check the CCNA exam blueprint - you need to be able to work with SDM (the GUI), make sure you can do it with the 1720s.

To REALLY be able to do all the labs you want for CCNA you should have - 3 routers and at least 2 switches

GO READ THIS BLOG ABOUT SETTING UP A HOME CCNA LAB
Take a look at this link for CCNA lab equipment, it really explains what you should get and WHY:

http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/24916

Billy, Glad to see you back in the forum, it has been a while!!!!!


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

 

[maczen]

Whats up Gene...

I would also mention the 3640 again.. My favorite.. They are like Gene's routers but bigger (and manlier)! LoL You can run SDM on the 3640 as well.... And if you run GNS3 with a 7200 IOS you can also run the Cisco Configuration Professional (CCP). The 3640 routers are 2U as opposed to the 1U 26xxXM routers but the 2600XM's have fans on the bottom and the 3640's are located on the back so they will normally take the same rack space... and if you do not have a rack yet then the 3640 is a no-brainer... Speaking of that... eBay "Skeletek" if looking for a good, inexpensive rack for your CCNA lab.

Guess what I have Gene? Cisco SR-520W-FE-K9...Was going to buy an 1800 or 890 series wireless but got a pretty good deal on this one.. Now once I figure out what all of the flashy lights mean!!! LoL

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/routers/ps9305/data_sheet_c78-484356.html

Figured if working on the CCNA Wireless then I may want a wireless lab.. I also have an 802.11b AP but that's only used to tie into the rack when the internet is disconnected and playing with the 520...




Billy Haines
CISSP Associate, CCNA Security, CCNA R&S, ETA FOI