CCNA Lab - What Do I Need????

I intend to gain my CCNA via the 2 part CCNET route, self studying at home.
What is the minimum set-up I would require for a lab to be sufficient for CCNA?
Looking to spend as little as possible at this staring point, I am UK based.

Any model numbers of equipment, links etc kindly accepted....
Thanks
Stewart

Comments

  • dsgmdsgm Member Posts: 228 ■■■□□□□□□□
    For CCNA i used all virtual setup, Packet Tracer or GNS3 if you wanted hardware just check ebay sometimes you can find good deals on there

    1841 router
    2950 switch
    3500 switch

    I would suggest the virtual way if money is an issue
  • sferg410sferg410 Member Posts: 129
    just the one router and two switches?
  • BobBobsonBobBobson Member Posts: 11 ■□□□□□□□□□
    I would agree with just getting yourself a copy of Packet Tracer, it works VERY well for 99% of the material covered by both the ICND1 and 2 (some CCNA level show commands don't work, but they are few and far between)
  • sferg410sferg410 Member Posts: 129
    So no need to get actually physical equipment at all at this point??
  • tcosictcosic Member Posts: 13 ■□□□□□□□□□
    When I started studying for the CCNA, I bought two 3550-switches, just for the real life experience. I was pretty low on cash, so I skipped the Router and just went with GNS3. I think that it is worth it, I was way more motivated when I worked with the Switching part than the Routing, I guess it had something to do with the fact that what I did was real. I would recommend a home-lab if you have the money for it.
  • RouteMyPacketRouteMyPacket Member Posts: 1,104
    sferg410 wrote: »
    So no need to get actually physical equipment at all at this point??

    NO! There is absolutely no need for anyone doing a R/S track to buy physical hardware. It can all be virtualised at this point which makes R/S so appealing.
    Modularity and Design Simplicity:

    Think of the 2:00 a.m. test—if you were awakened in the
    middle of the night because of a network problem and had to figure out the
    traffic flows in your network while you were half asleep, could you do it?
  • sferg410sferg410 Member Posts: 129
    NO! There is absolutely no need for anyone doing a R/S track to buy physical hardware. It can all be virtualised at this point which makes R/S so appealing.

    R/S .... what does that mean???
  • RouteMyPacketRouteMyPacket Member Posts: 1,104
    sferg410 wrote: »
    R/S .... what does that mean???

    Routing/Switching
    Modularity and Design Simplicity:

    Think of the 2:00 a.m. test—if you were awakened in the
    middle of the night because of a network problem and had to figure out the
    traffic flows in your network while you were half asleep, could you do it?
  • sferg410sferg410 Member Posts: 129
    Routing/Switching

    er.. doh!!!!
  • MTciscoguyMTciscoguy Member Posts: 552
    Depends on how you like to study, as has been discussed many times in the CCNA section, some of us like having physical equipment instead of simulations, so as has been said, it is up to you, if you think you want equipment or if your study habits lend to simulation.
    Current Lab: 4 C2950 WS, 1 C2950G EI, 3 1841, 2 2503, Various Modules, Parts and Pieces. Dell Power Edge 1850, Dell Power Edge 1950.
  • omi2123omi2123 Member Posts: 189
    if you are gonna spend money on hardware, might as well buy them in such a way that will take care of your need for CCNP or so on. I'd suggest the following:

    2801 Router=3
    3550 Switch=2
    2950 Switch=2

    If you can, see if the seller has iOS 15 in them. Good luck.
  • sferg410sferg410 Member Posts: 129
    How does this little lot sound... I am watching the sale and might be able to get for a bargain price if lucky...

    1* Cisco AS 2511-RJ Commserver/Access Server 2500 Series
    6 * Cisco 2600 series 2650XM 2-Port 10/100 Wired Route (with 32Mb flash bootrom and 256Mb Dram Memory installed)
    7 * Cisco WIC-1T Serial Card for 2600 2600XM 1841 2801 3800
    1 * Cisco Catalyst 2950 Switch
    1 * Cisco Catalyst 3550 Switch
    1 * Cisco Catalyst 3500 XL Switch
    1 * Cisco WIC-1T - WAN Interface Card 1-Port Serial Expansion Module
    2 * Cisco DCE/DTE CAB-2626 smart serial to smart serial cables
    4 * Cisco DCE/DTE CAB-2626 smart serial to serial cables
    6 * Cisco DCE/DTE CAB-2626 cables serial to serial cables
    2 * Cisco console cable, 2 * Cisco rollover cable RJ45 to DB9
    1 * Cisco Prolabs WS-G5483 1000BASE-T Copper GBIC transceiver
    1 * Alied Telesyn AT-210T CentreCOM 210T Twisted Pair Transceiver
    10 * UK plug power cables for 1 access server, 6 routers and 3 switches.

    A box of mixed patch, crossover and other cables as shown pictures.


    Good set up?
  • sferg410sferg410 Member Posts: 129
    No one had any information on this set-up... what is is worth, how good it is etc.. ?????
  • MTciscoguyMTciscoguy Member Posts: 552
    What are they asking? It is way more than you need to get started in your studies. But it would be worth picking up if the price is right.
    Current Lab: 4 C2950 WS, 1 C2950G EI, 3 1841, 2 2503, Various Modules, Parts and Pieces. Dell Power Edge 1850, Dell Power Edge 1950.
  • sferg410sferg410 Member Posts: 129
    19 watchers, finishes tomorrow, not even on £50 yet!!
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