New CCNA exam-any takers yet?

[SF18C]

Wow...where was I? I have been studing for the 507 exam for about 3 weeks now and was thinking about taking it on Friday. Then after checking out this site for any last minute study tips I find out they are changing the format. I feel pretty comfortable having studied all the basics with Sybex's 507 study guide, but my hands on have only been with low end routers (1600's and 800's series routers). After several years in the networking field I find it funny that Cisco's "entry level" exam will test a specific IOS on a specific model of router, knowing that there are many differences between models and IOS's. Guess they just want to push their academy attendance. Don't get me wrong, I think a hands on exam is great, but after looking around for 607 study material all I can find is "go to Cisco Network Academy." I guess it will take the IT education industry a while to play catch up. So I am sure that this will push back my testing date for some time. I am looking forward to see what the reaction is to any 607 takers and if they think there is a big difference from the 507. So I guess I'm in the market for one of the routersim products, basically for price of a used router on eBay. Any hints, suggestions, or comments?

Steve
MCSE, A+, N+, HP Certified Consultant

 

[wybnormal]

If you know the basics already of the CCNA coursework, why not just get some time on one of the many racks for rent? Or buy a real router that you can practice the IOS loading/unloading/upgrading.. something most sims do not address.

You can get a couple of 1600s for around 200 -250 each with careful shopping.. the 56K ones(1602) are cheap since everyone views the 56 intergrated WIC/DSU as a waste.. the secret is that you can put them back to back with a make it yourself cable and have a nice little *wan* link.. who cares if it's 56Kbps .. it's lab not your cable connection ;-)



MikeS
Find me at

http://www.packetattack.com

"The trouble with giving up civil rights is that you never get them back"

 

[SF18C]

MikeS,

Since roaming this site I have a vey high opinion of you. Your posts are thoughtful and to the point, plus I like your website. So I would like to know what you think of what I got going. I have a 1912EN switch, 1601, 2501 and 806 routers. the 806 hooks to my broadband modem. I got the switch going into the 806, with 5 PC/SUN machines goinging in to it (1912). I've been playing around with some VLans. I plan to back to back the 2501 and the 1601 by the Serial int (I'm waiting on memory for the 2501). Then I was going to just connect the 1601 to the switch or the 806 by ethernet. I figure this set up gives me plenty of options. I would like to put a pc on the end of the 2501 but I'm not sure what I will need to do that at this time. So I guess my questions are:

1. Which router should be the DTE (2501 or 1601)?

2. What is the best (read cheapest) way to go from a serial port on the 2501 to a ethernet port? (or is that even possible)

3. Any other suggestions, comments or good hardy laughs at my expence?

I'm trying to set up a useful home lab, but I don't got all the money in the world. Plus I probalby have more then my skill set can handle now. But I do plan to chase the CCNP/CCND studies.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[dancr5678]

Steve (sf18c):

It sound like you should just go ahead and take the new test anyway. I would imagine that the new simulator questions are going to be basic commands. Not anything complicated. You seem to be knowledgable and have already played around some in routers. You should take the test.

I took the 507 exam and it was relatively easy. Easier than I expected. What have you got to lose? You can just take the test again if you don't pass. At least you would know where you stand.

-Dancer

 

[wybnormal]

thank you for the kind words.

You have the basics of a decent lab.. the only thing I would say right away is that you should have a firewall between your lan and the cable modem. Get a used WEbramp for 60 bucks off Ebay and plop it in there for protection. Do NOT rely on the ISP or the ISPs equipment. I just posted a newsblurb on my site about a guy who figured a way to hack the cable modems(3com sharkfin and the like). In my case, the ISP provides a Cisco router but it's been set up as a bridge.. not a speck of protection.

Your DCE can be either router.. really doesnt matter in the home lab and in a back to back, it's controlled by the cable. A back2back cable is around 30 bucks or if you dig around, somethimes people have spare DCE and DTE DSU/CSU cables which can be screwed together for the same effect.

There is no adapter to go from serial to ethernet.. aside of another router
If you really want to play with vlans, look for a 1605 cheap or a 2514. Both are dual ethernet and would let you route between 2 vlans, practice access-list control etc.. The 2620/21s are at least twice as much so until you NEED to practice trunking etc, you dont need one.THe 1600s are nice because they have WIC cards.. I reconfig my own lab on occasion just by popping the 56K wic out and using a normal serial WIC.. or a Dual serial WIC.. cheaper then having yet another router on the shelf.

Back to the test.. Ihave to agree with the previous post.. try the test.. you probably know more then you think. Make sure you know IPX, FrameRelay, basics of ISDN, basics on Switching and your subnetting.

MikeS
Find me at

http://www.packetattack.com

"The trouble with giving up civil rights is that you never get them back"

 

[kvgb]

Todd Lammle has taken the exam and has a review at another site. Since I am not sure if the site can be posted, send me an email, kvgb@att.net, for info.

kvgb