Home Lab for CCNA, CCNP Goals 1

[pctech64]

Hello All;
I have no experience with Cisco. To learn I'm teaching myself CCNA and putting together a home lab for the last two months where I can practice as I go along.
I need advise on how to set this lab pieces and where to start. I want to run a patch cable from my Dlink Home router DIR-655 to the lab so I can practice with a live network. I know I might be missing cables or wic cards and memory sticks and need to be pointed in the right direction.
What I first need to know is how to telnet to my 2511-RJ ans set it so I can access the rest of the equipment and configure them but I need detailed info in how to do it. I know how to console to it and have done some basic config as well as some basic config in some of the routers/switches; i have erased passwords/ created my own set banners and basic connectivity. I know that for the CCNP Certification and possible CCIE, I'l need at least the Cisco 2620MX to be able to handle the latest IOS 12.4 for SDM and such but I don't know how many routers should I get or should I worry about this now?
I'm aware that for the CCIE will be best to have 2 3550's and 3560's as well as 3841's which I can not afford but I'm far yet from CCIE. I still don't have any 3640's; don't know if I should have 1 or how many.
So far I have 2 2501's, 1 2511-RJ, 5 2524's, 1 2610, 5 2620's 1 2650, Routers; 1 2950, 3 3500XL Switches; Network Modules; 1 Asyn 16A EN, 1 Serial 4T EN, 1 Ethernet 1E EN; WIC's 4 WIC 1T, 1 WIC 2T, 1 WIC 1BU, 5 WIC 1DSU T1, 3 FT1/T1 DSU CSU, 2 4Wire 56K/64K DSU CSU, 1 ISDN BRI with NT1; 4 Transceivers, 2 Gigabits Adapter Cards (for the 3500XL's); 4 DB60 Male to DB60 Male serial cables ( 2 6ft, 2 3ft); 3 consile cables and lots of meter of Cat5e UTP blue patch cable and RJ45 connectors. All this goes mounted in a nice SKELETEK Rack C28U with 30"" Base and also have 3 power strips with 10 outlets each for the power needs ( 1 UPC Surge Arrest Network Series with 8 outles switched, 1 unswitched)
I might order 2 or 3 WIC 2T with 6 1ft SS to SS cable and maybe more WIC 1T and more 1ft DB60 cables but as far as need and quantity and how to connect them; I need coaching. also, I don't know what to do with so many WIC 1DSU T1; can these cards connect or join routers in serie or they just connect to switches?
As far as IOS on my current equipment and memory I wouldn't know until I console into each one and document the show version. All my equipment have been bought from eBay with lots of patience in the bids and looking for the best possible deals.
I'm open to sell some of my equipment to replace/ buy a better one that will support more funtions but I should be fine for the CCNA at least, which I'm still reading and learning at baby steps.
once again; i need help on getting started ( I can't wait) even when I have already "started"
Thanks in advance to all.

 

[lerdalt]

wow, sounds like you have a nice collection to start with. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the 3500xl switches for studies. There are just somethings they are not capable of doing (Rapid Spanning-Tree), and some of the configuration for them is just slightly different.

To start, I really wouldn't worry about the 2511 as an access server just yet. I didn't see you list the octal cable for it, and I'm not finding a good link on Cisco's site right away to guide you through the process. Basically, though, you connect the octal cable to the 2511, then each rj45 end into the console port of the next device you want to connect to.

I'm a big fan of starting off simple. For a routing lab, I'd start with just a pair of routers (any 2 routers), and connect them with either the WIC2/1T and the DB60 cables. Then setup a point to point circuit between them. Make certain you can ping from r1 to r2. Next step from that would be do static routing so that from a different interface on either router, you can still get to the other side.

After that, move into setting up each of the routing protocols (RIP, EIGRP, OSPF), just so you know how to do it.

With the equipment you have, I think you have plenty of opportunities for lots of lab scenarios. Use your imagination and come up with your own options. I always felt it was good to setup some of the examples they have in the books, and also run the debug commands just to get a feel for what was happening. Was also fun to setup a webserver on one end, that way you had something visual to look at and use ACL's to deny access to it based on various scenarios.

Here is a link to a book that might help you out too:

http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/ccna-version-5-draft/815026

I'm sure others out here will have more ideas for you too.

 

[CiscoGuy33]

pctech64,

I am with lerdalt - KISS - KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID

The 2511-RJ (the RJ does not use Octal Cables, it has RJ45 ports like a hub/switch) is nice but you are not tested on that on the CCNA - do not over-welm yourself - work up to it, and until then just move the console cable from router to router as needed - KISS!!!!!

The link to the FREE book at LULU is a 700+ page book (PDF) that my "train the trainer" instructor wrote - it is for the older CCNA exam but about 85% is still important - just skip the Novell IPX stuff and it uses 2-3 routers and starts simple and moves to the more complex. And did we say it is FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As far as connecting to your D-Link - again KISS !!!!!! start simple and as you pick up the concepts move on to that - no real reason to have it connected, you have enough to learn for CCNA - DO NOT ADD TO IT - KISS!!!!!!!

Good luck and keep asking questions!

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

 

[CiscoGuy33]

pctech64,

Here is a GREAT book for setting up a very complex CCNA lab with 2500 routers - book is dated but for about $4 you can not go wrong -

Name: CCNA Practical Studies
Hardcover: 544 pages
Publisher: Cisco Press; illustrated edition edition
(April 20, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1587200465
ISBN-13: 978-1587200465

http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Studies-Cisco-Certification-Training/dp/1587200465

It also has a section on setting up your 2511 access server router. Good section on Frame Relay - like I said for $4 you can not go wrong!!!

You can easily adapt this book and the one at LULU to 2600 or 3600 routers!!!!

Hope this helps!!!



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

 

[lerdalt]

That looks like a book I wish I would have had when I was going through the CCNA/NP stuff.

 

[cisconooblet]

I just sold my NEW CCNA cisco press books (1200+pages) on ebay for 30 bucks plus shipping. You can get em on ebay cheap. The new ones by wendel odom are the best I've read and the only ones I used to pass the ccna last week. I highly recommend them.

CCNA
Network +

 

[pctech64]

Thanks all you guys for the info and advise; I'll keep it simple as far as the study goes; i'll start with the 2500 (2) and go from there but since i went ahead of myself and could spare some bucks and bought lot of equipment now for the inmediate future studies; I though it would be nice to set the Access server first and set anything from there.
now I have some time to do this that I suspect I won't have in lke a month or so; I discovered as I google about everything and have read every post possible that I'd rather own 2620MX's which prepares me better for the CCNP part and might carry to CCIE (over a year from now since I'm half way in my studies for CCNA)
I have the voucher to take the CCNA but I'm not ready yet and I'm working as hard as my time allows; usually I spend some two -three hours late at night in the rack and "researching" and I think if I could come with a detailed plan of what to do to set up that access server everything falls into place; I have made about 8 rollover cables for the access server (RJ45 to RJ45's tested and working good)but I need to configure the darn thing to access whetever piece I want from the computer using Hyper terminal or telnet ( telnet I have never used )so I have to start someday I would like to do it now but I'll keepit simple and then concentrate more on the CCNA labs to knock the tst down and gain some knowledge.
I'm looking for a tech job in my area; las Vegas, here the pay sucks and there are lots of competition I got a proposal to teach A+ for bilingual class in a new tech school; but my heart is set on Cisco routers ans swithching and the big picture.
With a lab of my own I figured down the road i could take it to that school and teach CCNA or CCNP after I know myself the materials inside out.
I have so far studied with Test Out and Train Signal's courses and I also have the Chris Bryant material.
I might come with a resolution by the end of august which allows me to just pay for the CCNA classes and the CCNP's but I don't know yet so I started on my own.
I have been around computers since 1997 but never really worked for production enviroments for long time or for a "cisco" company.
I'm A+, Net+, MCP, MCDST, and MCSA certified but always had an special "love affair" with cisco; I want to "marry" this career, LOL.
Thank you all for your support; since you all being there done that kind of , I know I will stick to your advises like a leach!

 

[CiscoGuy33]

lerdalt,

I got it back in 2002/2003 AND built pretty close to the lab that it has in there for my first CCNA lab (2500 routers) Token Ring, Frame Relay - EVERYTHING except the ISDN sim which at the time was about $700 - it is a good lab reference for ANYONE new to this stuff building a home lab.

It is one of the only books that I have seen that walks you step by step through building a very extensive - what I felt at the time was more of a CCNP lab.

Not sure why the author or anyone else has not updated the book - maybe it did not sell well????

Great book for $4.

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

 

[CiscoGuy33]

pctech64,

I just "Googled" 2511 configuration and here are 2 links that will give you most of what you are looking for -

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/tech/tk801/tk36/technologies_configuration_example09186a008014f8e7.shtml

http://www.informit.com/library/content.aspx?b=CCNP_Studies_Troubleshooting&seqNum=141

It also has been discussed here in Tek-Tips - maybe in the Cisco Router forum - do a search in certification as well as Cisco router - start with 2511 and I think you will find it discussed to death!!!!!!

You said -

I'm A+, Net+, MCP, MCDST, and MCSA certified but always had an special "love affair" with cisco; I want to "marry" this career, LOL.

To be good at this and to get the big bucks $$$$$$$ you really need to "marry" this career.

Try to get to a Cisco Live convention - just finished in San Fran at beginning of July and was in Las Vegas last few years - GREAT way to make contacts as well as REALLY getting into Cisco big-time - I have gone 5 different years - LOVED IT - hope to get back next year!!!!

Good luck !!!


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

 

[pctech64]

Thanks CiscoGuy33 for the insight and lerdart; I downloaded that PDF book and browsed a little( another 700 pages of reading! sighs!) it does have some info in a way I have no read on other materials, a bit outdated but still usable, thank you again.
I'm currently reading Sams Teach yourself Cisco Routers in 21 Days beside my other three diferent training software and the "hands on the lab" and in the miggle of all, my wife got me a parenting book she wants me to read LOL; sometimesI just don't know what to grab or where to keep going lol but I love and enjoy the rush and it is not stressful for me but thrilling

 

[lerdalt]

We have a kid on the way as well. Fortunately, I prepared my wife that I wouldn't be reading nursery rhymes at night to the kid yet. Will definitely be a technical material.

Thinking when the kid is a little older I can put it to sleep by reading Routing TCP/IP Volumes 1 and 2.

 

[pctech64]

yup; I even had one of rhose links saved myself and didn't remember; I'll try that configuration this afternoon and post results later.I already connectec the two 2501's for the sake of doing something; you notice I do have a NM A16 which is to make another access server; I don't have the octal cables; could buy two for $30 @ Anthony Panda's, but I think I will work with the 2511RJ first since I do have some rollover cables made at lenght by myself.
CiscoGuy I keep trying to give you more stars but it only lets me do one for this week; thanks for all infos

 

[pctech64]

lerdalt lol; I got two girls 3 and 5 that is as good as it gets and it is hard to try to provide and learn at same time.
A friend of mine love the line "it would be better to learn earlier" but things happens when they happens and when that happens, I take whatever is happening at that very moment; LOL; now it is CISCO happenning to me I guess LOL.
I got that book you sugested and keep reading it between posts.
Thanks

 

[burtsbees]

Yes. 42.

/

tim@tim-laptop ~ $ sudo apt-get install windows
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
E: Couldn't find package windows...Thank Goodness!