Appropriate Hardware for Cisco Training?

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."

Comments

Cisco Lab

[Jeremiah Cornelius]

Well, you can get TONS of this stuff really cheap on eBay, ever since the Dot Com Kaboom...

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

[Smoking]

I know it's not quite CISCO hardware, but there's this little floppy-based Linux distro called Freesco

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

[gnomead]

Here is a list of the equipment on the CCIE lab exam.

• 2500 Series
  
• 2600 Series
  
• 3600 Series
  
• 4000 and 4500 Series
  
• 3900 Series TR Switch
  
• Cat 5000 Switch
  

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!

software: virutal labs

[metalgeek]

sybex makes a virtual lab product that I belive simulates several routeras and a coupla switches.
h
heres it on amazon
it's actually just a toned down version of some other virtual router software made by router sim
there a hell of a lot cheaper than buying actual hardware.