Please help me finish building my lab out.

[Jonnyboxcutter]

My job has not required certification for some time now so my lab has been built to assist it, not for certifications. I would like to renew my old certs (NA, and DA) and shoot for some new ones (NP, DP, and IE). I am “new” to the cert requirements and seriously need help on what would be best to populate my routers with. I also need big help on the switch requirement side.

I have not been in testing mode for several years now so I consider myself a noobie to the whole testing thing, please be nice...

My priorities are:
- Finish building out the router stack
- As possible
- Add the Switching
- Add Voice
- Add the PIX
- Add the WiFi

I would really like some assistance with what I should populate the routers with. I do have some things in mind.

I am thinking of (there is a full list of gear at the end of this post):

- Building one 3640 as an 8-port Ethernet, 8-port T1, 4-port E1, and 2-port ISDN connectivity switch (Each 3620 and 2600 would have 1-T1 terminating on this router, 4 would terminate an E1, and two would terminate an ISDN line)

- The 2522 will be in place to function as a Serial Frame Relay Switch (each 3620 and 2600 would have 1 WIC-1T card and have a serial line connection to this router)

This configuration would leave me with 1-3640 to build an ATM switch. 4-3620’s would have open NM slots, if possible I would like to use these to connect to the ATM cloud. I would also have 2 – 2600’s each with an open WIC slot.

If you could follow all of that, would that lab work for Cisco certs?

I also wonder what to do with the older gear (2501’s and 2513) and the Adtrans. I am thinking of selling them off but not sure if they could be used to integrate into the lab some place? Ideas here are welcome too.

If there is a better or more efficient configuration I have included a full list of gear that is in the lab. Please offer any suggestions you would like, I didn’t list network modules, WIC cards, or cables for a reason (I did not want anybody to feel limited) please run wild on suggestions.

Any assistance that can be offered is greatly appreciated

Thank you,
-JBC-

My lab consists of the following

Routers
- 1x3640 (this is a 96 port reverse telnet server with 1 port Ethernet)

- 2x3640 (4NM Slots)
- 5x3620 (2NM Slots)
- 1x2611XM (2FE, 2W, 1 NM Slot)
- 1x2620 (1FE, 1Tr, 2W, 1 NM Slot)
- 1x2612 (1E, 1Tr, 2W, 1 NM Slot)
- 1x2522
- 1x1720
- 6x2501
- 1x2513

PIX
- 1x501 (Segments the lab network from the home network)

- 3x501
- 1x506E

WiFi
- 1x350AP
- 2x340BR

Switches
- 1x3920 (Token Ring)
- 1xCat Express 500 (24/2 Copper)
- 2x 3con (unmanaged switch)

Adtran DSU w/ Cables for each
- 11 x TSU ESU T1 DSU
- 1 x TSU 120 (DSU/CSU)


I will be adding:
- 2 x PIX 506E
- 1 x PIX 515E R w/DMZ
- 2 x PIX 515E UR w/ 4Port Ethernet, VAC+ (one to be used in FO when needed)
- 1 x 350AP WiFi
- 4 x 350 BR WiFi
- Switches
- Network Modules and WIC’s for the routers
- 4 Port manageable ISDN emulator (dial tone for 2 point to point connections)

 

[CiscoGuy33]

Jonnyboxcutter,

For CCNA, CCNP, CCDP and CCIE (Routing and Switching) you do not need the APs and Firewalls - what you need right off are some 2912/2924/2950 switches with Cisco IOS and I am sure the ISDN sim will come in handy for CCNP Remote Access and up.

Once you move into CCIE it would help to have additional switches but I think I would hold off until you are done with CCNA, CCDA, CCNP and CCDP - who knows what will be required for CCIE 1-3 years from now.

If your CCNA is still current - all you will need to do is pass 1 CCNP level exam. If not then 3 routers and 2 switches is all you really need for CCNA (you have more then enough routers).

You can retire the Token Ring switch!!

I hope this helps!





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

 

[Jonnyboxcutter]

Thanks for the reply. I am sorry i did not specify this in the first post but assume this is being built out for IE study with the other cert serving as mile stones.

I am looking at the list of router shells and other stuff as a starting point. Since I have more routing hardware (mostly shells) I would like to focus my money on filling out that part of the lab first. So I guess the best question would be what would you do with that stack on the NM / WIC side of things?

This is where the Noobie part comes in to play. I have not focused any time to certs so I have no clue what the lab should look like in the area of connectivity. I did not want to buy a bunch of connectivity options (token ring for example) and then find out it is no longer needed.

FYI - I was not planning on adding any more TR to the lab

On the Switching side of things my plan was to go down the
Core/Dist/Closet Route
2x6500 (not too sure on cards yet)
2x4006 (not too sure on cards yet)
2X3550

Thanks again for the reply,
-JBC-

 

[DanInRaleigh]

Hey JBC,
..wouldnt you wont to buy some serial cards for some of those shells and connect to your future frame relay switch (2522)?
... I suggest you do a "stare and compare" on ebay for those serial interfaces modules...i think a single serial wic will cost you no more than 75.00 and the one with 4 serial interfaces (goes in your 3600) will cost you no more than 300.00.
..i have similar equipment. in my lab i have a enterprise customer running frame and mpls. those cheap routers that you have, have serial interfaces and could be a remote site.
...the cheapies can also do ipsec vpn (with right ios)..and basic frame qos for VoIP...
...i'm beginning the ground work for my ccie lab. Most of my research shows that several 2600's, a couple of 3600's and two 3550.emi will "getter done"!
..but first thing is build that frame relay network...connect the switches..add the hosts...and ping away!!
...is this what you where looking for?

CCNP,CCSP,MCSE,Sec+,Net+,A+...