Serial Connection Modules Questions 5

[GottaBeKiN]

I am planning to buy 4-5 2950s and I am trying to gather information on what modules I should get for them. I am looking at the Cisco Prep center website and the sample lab configuration there. Most of them need a serial connection between them. Some of them use the A/S flavor (ex. WIC-2A/S or NM-4A/S), some of them use the T flabor (ex. WIC-2T or NM-4T). I did some reading but can't really tell which ones I should get. Can the A/S modules be connected to a T module? What about the WIC-1DSU-1T, is that something to be considered for?

I would also like to know if a 2950 switch with Standard Image be upgraded to an Enhanced Image just like how one would re-flash the IOS?

Thank you.

 

[maczen]

You will use those WIC cards and network modules with routers not switches. You will normally see Cat5e, Cat6 or fiber uplinks between these switches.

You can run a back to back cable from the A/S to the T WICs/Modules! IE from NM-4T to NM-4A/S..

*The WIC-2T has Smart Serial connections (smaller and fits two onto one WIC slot) Usually more expensive...

Here is a link that may help.. I liked it.. LoL

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/modules/ps3129/prod_module_series_home.html

(You can actually thank CiscoGuy or BurtBees for that link.. Found it while on a quest for info which originated with one of their posts.. LoL)

Not so sure about the CSU DSU cards yet.. or the S/T U cards.. (In Work.. LoL)

Hope that helps!

 

[CiscoGuy33]

GottaBeKiN,

First 2950s are switches - did you mean 26xx or 36xx routers if so which? It really will depend which router you want to use because some are supported on all 2600s and 3600s and some just on some of them.

2nd Google is your friend - start reading and learning about the routers and these parts - best way to understand limitations and also how to use the Cisco site!

If you have not gotten it yet - go buy the Sybex CCNA Study Guide 6th edition - it will help with lots of your questions!

http://www.bookpool.com/sm/0470110082

You will notice these are 2 different speeds with the "T"s being faster. In some cases the interfaces are different with DB60s on the Network Modules and Smart "mini" DB connectors on the others.

Here are links to the different WICs and Network Modules as well as the link provided above. Do some reading, determine what router you are talking about and then ask more questions!

2-Port Async/Sync WAN Interface Card (WIC-2A/S)-

http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/107/wic-2as.shtml

Understanding 4- and 8-Port Async/Sync Network Modules -

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/routers/ps274/products_tech_note09186a00800a93f1.shtml

Understanding 2-Port Serial WAN Interface Card (WIC-2T) -

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/routers/ps274/products_tech_note09186a00800b0858.shtml

Understanding the 4-Port Sync Serial Network Module (NM-4T)-

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/routers/ps274/products_tech_note09186a00800a93f3.shtml

As for the WIC-1DSU-1T - stick with the ones listed above - learn those because that is what you are likly to see on the CCNA - once you have these in place and you want to learn more bratch out and yes they can be used!




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

 

[GottaBeKiN]

Yes sorry, I meant 2650 routers lol. By the way CiscoGuy, the guy you told me about said he has more so I am going to buy it from him. And I do have the Sybex CCNA book and I am up to Chapter 6.

So maczen, the T types and the A/S Types can be connected back to back, maybe I will just mix them up, cool. I will forget about the WIC-1DSU-T1 for now.

Regarding the question on the upgradability for the 2950 switches, I found the answer on the cisco site. The model of the 2950 needs to be able to handle EI. Here's the link if anyone's interested.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products...s_configuration_example09186a0080169627.shtml

 

[GottaBeKiN]

Starts for both of you by the way!

 

[burtsbees]

I have a few WIC-1DSU-T1's myself---they can be connected back-to-back, and they are synchronous serial interfaces. If you have 4, two in two routers, they are good practicing bonding interfaces with ppp multilink. You can do that with the WIC-1T also, but there's more configuration involved (with virtual access and virtual template). The WIC-1T are a bit cheaper, though. With T1 cards, however, you can practice with line coding, clocking, and timeslots (making it a fractional T1). There is a lot of that in the real world!

Burt

 

[maczen]

Thanks for that info.. All three of you! I am going to buy four WIC-1DSU-T1's then!!!

 

[CiscoGuy33]

maczen,

For your setup - YES you should also play with a WIC-1DSU-T1 - you already have serial connections and Frame Relay in the plans with what you have.

For GottaBeKiN who is just trying to put a lab together he should get 2 Cisco WIC-1T Serial WAN for his 2600 routers and maybe for his Frame Relay Switch a 2501 for $50 (Cables and Kits has them with 16D 16F

http://www.cablesandkits.com)

and 2 DB60 to DB60 cables and he can have a a good CCNA routing lab.

I was very lucky to get a deal on eBay several years ago when most WICs were still high - a guy had 2 56/64 DSU CSU WICs and the cable for connecting them back-to-back for $20, he had 3 sets - I only bought 1 and it works great! I still have it at work in my Cisco drawer and I use it for demos.

I also have 3 2524s (modular 2500s) on my old CCNA 2500 rack - they have 3 "WIC" slots and I have used the 56/64 DSU CSU WICs to connect them (they do not have serial ports built in like the other 2500s).

The 1st 2524 has a 5 in 1 serial card (DB60) and connects to a 2520, in the other slot is 1 of the 56/64 DSU CSU cards, the 2nd 2524 has 2 56/64 DSU CSU cards and the 3rd has just 1 56/64 DSU CSU card. It works fine.

Just some more thoughts!

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

 

[GottaBeKiN]

Hi CiscoGuy,

I do have 3620s with no module sitting at home. They have 64/16 and I upgraded their IOS (painfully, using the console cable) to 12.3(22). So I will get a NM-4T (is there a reason why 2*WIC-2T is better, I don't they don't work in the NM-1E2W, only in the NM-1FE2W) and a NM-1E2W for one of them to make it into a frame relay.

Kin

 

[CiscoGuy33]

GottaBeKiN,

I said 2 WIC-1T ( 1 each for each of the 2650s - if you have more then 1 2650) and get the NM-4T for the 3620.

The WIC-1T have the DB60 connector - the WIC-2T has the "mini" D connector - cables should be cheaper and easier to get for the WIC-1T. You should check prices and make sure that you are getting the right cable end for where it will be connected and what it will do.

The Frame Relay switch will get the "DCE" end and the other routers will get the "DTE" end - so if you have a cable that is DB60 at one end and "Mini" D at the other you need to make sure it matches what you are doing!

If you get the WIC-1T and NM-4T - these both should have DB60 connectors and then it will not matter!!!

Hope this helps!


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

 

[maczen]

Hey Kin,
To answer your other question if you go with the WIC-2T in the 3620 you need either a NM-2W, NM-1FE2W, NM-1FE1R2W or an NM-2FE2W and IOS versions 12.0(7)XK, 12.1(1)T, 12.2, 12.2T (or some newer depending on the date of the article)!

Reference:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/routers/ps274/products_tech_note09186a00800b0858.shtml

These are all expensive as are the WIC-2T and the Smart Serial cables... I would heed CiscoGuy's advice and go with the WIC-1T's, NM-4T's, NM-4A/S's ETC..

Now I have a question.. LoL
Why wouldn't I (or Kin) want to put 2 or even three NM-4T's into my 3640 (or his 3620) and turn it into a "Monster" frame relay switch? I am thinking that in stead of having multiple 2500's in my rack (3 taking up 6U of rack space)I could have 1x 3640 with possibly 16 serial connections acting as my Frame Relay cloud to 2x racks of equipment... Cisco, Juniper, 3Com ETC) K.. Thanks all!

 

[burtsbees]

You could, maczen. That would make more sense.

Burt

 

[GottaBeKiN]

Hey Maczen,

They do make the make NM-8A/S and NM-16A/S! Put 4 of them in the 3640s!

Kin

 

[CiscoGuy33]

Hey Maczen,

I wonder what limitations the 3640 has with 72 serial ports

Just the cables alone would bankrupt you

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

 

[burtsbees]

Running STP, VTP, EIGRP or OSPF, ARPs, RARPs, and not to mention BECNs and FECNs with frame relay...I imagine that would bring most routers to their knees...lol

Burt

 

[maczen]

Now you guys are going to make me do this... LoL
No, what I was thinking was three NM-4T because that Chinese clone seller on eBay has them for pretty cheap if you buy quantity and everyone seems to brag on them... Plus only using in a lab so not like I have to worry about single vendor license support.. LoL

I will buy an NM-8A/S in a heartbeat if I run into a deal but I would prefer three cards over one anyday in a lab environment.. (If a card goes bad it's cheaper to replace that way! Plus no chance of me needing all of the slots in FOUR 3640's in the foreseeable future!!)

Ok Guys.. Have to study.. talk to you later!!!!

 

[GottaBeKiN]

Hey Maczen,

Can you comment on the clones cards? Are they just as good?

Kin

 

[maczen]

Wait until I get them in and run them for a while and I will let you know but from what I have been reading they are just fine!! The fact that you can get 5x WIC-1T for $120 after shipping makes it worth a purchase from an eBay Power Seller with thousands of sells and positive feedback.. but that is just me and I don't normally like to give advice on things that I have not tried..

 

[GottaBeKiN]

Keep us posted!

 

[burtsbees]

Be careful of those fake Cisco WICs! Especially the ones from China! They have been known for multiple cards to have the same MAC address!!! You can change the MAC in the priv exec mode, but still...

Burt