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Router Simulators

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deklin

IS-IT--Management
Nov 6, 2002
157
US
Are router simulators worth the money?

Deklin [yinyang]

"What goes up must come down. Ask any system administrator."
 
i would like to know as well. boston has one for $169 and sybex has one for $149. are they any good?
 
Or, buy a couple of 800's or 2500's off ebay and sell them on again afterwards......
 
Why don't you just buy two routers and maybe a switch too from ebay. Remember ain't nothing like the real thing....

 
deklin,
I have used both sims and old routers off Ebay, the Cisco Press/Boson sim is one of the best I have worked with.

For $82 (and you might find it even lower if you check Amazon etc.) you can not go wrong. 3 routers and a switch on Ebay, with all cables, max RAM & FLASH and adaptors etc. will run about $275 to $450.

Do not get me wrong - it is VERY IMPORTANT to get hands on with real equipment also but for less then $100 you can get a GREAT sim as you piece together a lab.

From
Cisco CCNA Network Simulator (Exam 640-801) Boson Software Inc
Cisco Press, Published 2004, Bk&CD edition,
ISBN 1587201313

Master hands-on CCNA skills with a network simulator that lets you build your own network, with up to 200 devices Gain hands-on experience for all CCNA exam topics Select from 45 different router and switch models Learn with integrated content from the number-One selling CCNA Certification Library written by Wendell Odom Cisco CCNA Network Simulator is a boxed software product derived from the previously self-published Boson NetSim from Boson Software. It provides users with a means to develop hands-on skills (More...)
Customer Reviews:

Our Price: $82.25 ~ You Save $67.70
Availability: In-Stock


E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +
 
Just got my Boson network simulator and i'm not impressed. It's ok for basic networking, but as soon as you want to try something a little heavier, you can't, because some commands are missing or the options are not available.

Not recommended beyond CCNA
 
That is why it is a CCNA Network Simulator, I talked to a rep at Boson and they are working on a CCNP version that will do more.

Once you start on CCNP and above it is time to start putting a lab together from Ebay or rent time online or use some of the free online racks.

Sims are still good for keeping your basic skills sharp, I talked to a CCIE at Networkers and he said on the CCIE exam you do not have time to think about the basics - they have to be known like the back of your hand!!!

Hope this helps!!

E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +
 
SIMs are EXCELLENT study tools for the CCNA because;

- Most people don't have frame relay or ISDN setups in their basement.

- The labs that Boson bundles with the software package are quite good.

You pretty much need the sim for a lot of the stuff seen on the exam. The BOSON sims can be buggy sometimes and there are some typos in the labs that don't translate to the excercises. Also, there's no VLSM in the labs (at least,not in the version I bought in March). However, Boson has a lot to be proud of. No one makes a better sim package in my opinion. Well worth the money. I can't wait to see their CCNP offering, they already have at least one customer lined up and waiting ;)

-SnowNinja
 
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