Appropriate Hardware for Cisco Training? 19
Nilatir asks: "I'm going to be starting on my CCNA and continuing on to CCNP and possibly CCIE. I know that there are virtual trainers and virtual labs available but I'm considering setting up a real hands-on lab to work with and I need advise from fellow /.'ers on what Cisco hardware to start out with."
Cisco Lab (Score:2, Informative)
I would start with a couple of routers, and at least two switches. Steer clear of the low-end 1700 series, unless you want to add this as a third router at some point. Better to get a 2600 series with 2 Eth 10/100's in it (the second eth is less that 150.00 on eBay) You can throw some of the cheaper 2500 series in here too. The go for about 4-5 hundred. These usually are featured with 1 10/100 and sometimes an AUI. You can set up HSSI between these - make sure you get the cables!
Switches? The 2900 series is great - but pricy. All the trunk/bridge/VLan madness you want can be practiced on the 2924XL. I would get one of these, and make up on an old 10bt switch for the others - 1724, etc...
Freesco (Score:2, Informative)
I tried it while working for my CCNA and I was quite impressed: It emulates the CISCO command set almost completely, including access lists.
Ok it's not a 2600 but you might want to have a look at it.
Quentin
btw: 2nd post!
CCIE Equipment List (Score:2, Informative)
I think the best all around lab choice would be to get 3-4 of the routers listed above concentrating on the modular routers as opposed to the fixed port routers as it is much cheaper to buy new interfaces than new routers.
I would also recommend that you get at least two ATM interfaces and at least 2 Token Ring interfaces.
Instead of the 5000 Cat switch, you should probably try to find a 2926 as it runs the same IOS and should be avaliable for a much cheaper price.
Don't forget cables too! Cisco uses a 60 pin connector on most routers, but modules available for the 3600's use a much smaller (also proprietary) connector and believe me these cables are not cheap!
Good luck!
Just got my CCNP... (Score:2)
For the CCNP it takes a little more. You'll need several routers, some switches, and to do it right, and ISDN simulator. A big chunk of the CCNP is remote access and you can't practice much without the ISDN piece. You also need to make sure you buy the right switches, since the command syntax varies some between the different lines.
Instead of spending a fortune you may consider just renting lab time. Several places do it online and you just telnet right in and do your thing. Some people don't like that because you don't actually touch the gear, but I went to an excellent CCNP boot camp and we almost never touched the equipment. Just telnetted/consoled in and did our thing. The hardware building of a router takes a few mins...the configuration is what takes time.
what you really need if you're serious... (Score:1)
You're going to need a minimum of three routers and two switches to do anything approching interesting, you're also going to need 4+ endpoint computers.
Start with:
Quick check of ebay says you can get the above for around $5000-6000 USD. Other people will tell you to rent time, but again, if you're serious, you will want your own lab to (a) keep your skills up in a potenially stagnant work environment or (b)keep going up the ladder in Cisco certifications.
General comments:
Email me if you've got detailed questions and you're planning on getting a real CCxx rather than a 'I did the test so pay me lots of money' CCxx and I'll help when I can. Apologies for sounding like an old fart, but I'm tired of people who don't really understand their work, but are really good at passing tests.
Re:what you really need if you're serious... (Score:2)
sPh
Hardware is pretty optional, I'd say (Score:1)
My company wanted me to get my CCNA and CCNP, so I read the Cisco books and did a bit of online training (the company also gave us a subscription to www.xtremelearning.com, but we gotta pay the books with our own money).
I got my CCNA and I'm about to finish the CCNP and have not touched a single router or switch, and honestly, there's no real need to, as long as you read the books and learn the commands by heart.
All these Cisco exams are more a memory exercise than anything else, in my opinion: you give the "official Cisco(tm) answer" to each of the multiple choice questions (usually a sentence from the Cisco(tm) book, almost word for word) and eliminate the answers that don't make sense, and you're sorted...
My 2p.
Ed
PS: I heard that the CCIE is a bit more complicated...
Re:Hardware is pretty optional, I'd say (Score:1)
Re:Hardware is pretty optional, I'd say (Score:1)
In my case it was a case of welcome-to-the-firm-btw-get-this-exam-before-this
of thing so the bit of paper was all I was after.
On the other hand, once you're working with Ciscos,the learning curve is pretty steep and you can always refer to your training books...
Re:Hardware is pretty optional, I'd say (Score:1)
Re:Hardware is pretty optional, I'd say (Score:2)
I got my CCNA and I'm about to finish the CCNP and have not touched a single router or switch...
Man, send me your resume. You sound exactly like all the IS guys my company has hired. You'll probably have to start out helping to rebuild all the servers infected with Nimda, but eventually you'll get time to screw up the firewall config.
Re:Hardware is pretty optional, I'd say (Score:1)
Regarding his capabilities, I don't understand how you can judge on what he said. Reread what he said.
His company wanted him certified.
He was smart enought to find out he didn't need to invest in hardware to pass the certification.
He was smart enought to understand that the certifications means nothing (you don't need to train) if you can pass them without touching the hardware.
He is a very capable person and just proved he was smart.
Ratbert don't be a troll. I don't understand how you got ranted 2, while Edouard actually had an informative post.
No books needed (Score:2)
software: virutal labs (Score:2, Informative)
h [amazon.com]
heres it on amazon
it's actually just a toned down version of some other virtual router software made by router sim [routersim.com]
there a hell of a lot cheaper than buying actual hardware.
CCNA (Score:1)
I just recently purchased a Cisco 2514 off eBay for a cool $600, and the Catalyst 2912 for $700. I am hoping to take the CCNP within the next 4 months.