Setting up a Lab

[Torturednacho]

I'm studying for my CCNA . Trying to piece together a lab. I'm learning the Cisco on my own. Using CBT's, Lammel CCENT , Sybex CCNA, CCENT , and CCNA Fast Pace by Tom lammel .
I've also got CCENT/CCNA flash cards and a Unhealthy obsession with the OSI model.
I've started to buy equipment and cable off ebay (god i love them)
Right now i've got 2 2514's looking to get a 3rd router somewhere in the 3600 and i've been bidding on switchs like mad. But not winning the auctions.
and i'm going to add a AS in the future
I was wondering if anyone could tell me if i'm making the right choices for a lab setup?
I don't get any hands on where I work cause thats another department. So i'm trying to setup a realistic 2 network setup.
obviously on the 2500's im going to need to get AUI's
is there anything anyone would recommend besides what im currently trying to get my hands on?
thanks!
James

 

[CiscoGuy33]

James,

Welcome to the Cisco Certification area of Tek-Tips!!!

Look back over the past posts - Cisco labs have been discussed in GREAT detail!!


Here is a link to a very good blog about setting up a Cisco CCNA lab by Wendell Odom, CCIE and Cisco author -

http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/24916

The 2514s are OK, but they are getting rather old and when you can get 2610's or 2611's now for $20 to $50 on Ebay .......

The 2500's especially the 2520, 2521, 2522 and 2523 make GREAT Frame Relay switches because they have 4 or more serial interfaces each!!! Your 2 2514's would not be bad for this also!!

You can find pretty good deals on 2610XM, 2620XM and 2650XM on Ebay, when you go to the 2 Ethernet models (2611XM, 2621XM and 2651XM) the price goes up quickly :-(

The 3620s and 3640s are nice, they hold lots of different network modules so they adapt well for different things!! Just be aware of some issues with some of the 3620s - I ended up with a bad one but it was a wash because for what I paid I was able to use the network modules, rack ears and memory etc. on a good 32620 I got!!!

Do a lot of "Googling" on anything that you are looking at and see what is being said about that model!!

You really want 3 routers with a 4th acting as your Frame Relay switch and 3 switches - read the blog above and ask questions!!

Good luck !!!



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

 

[Torturednacho]

Awesome thank you. I've been doing nothing but reading about all the help you guys offer. It's amazing thank you, I know i will be using this area for a very long time to come.

 

[CiscoGuy33]

James,

You are most welcome - read and ask questions - most of us have "been there - done that" so we can answer from our experience and we always do!!!!!

Check the FAQ out also - they have a page with links to lots of stuff also!!

Once again, good luck!!!

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