Bought a lab... just looking for opinions

mweaver84

So I got my Network+ and little while ago and going to be starting to study for the CCNA. Plan on going for CCNP after so figure I might as well get a lab right now and start playing around with it.

Here is the lab I bought:
Cisco Ccent CCNA CCNP Lab Kit 3X CISCO1841 iOS 15 1 2X 2960 24 iOS 15 0 Rack | eBay

Don't really care much about voice right now so figured 1841s were good.

First set of equipment I bought so just wanted to see what people thought. Feel free to let me know if I paid wayyy too much also

Will be getting my "60 days to CCNA" in the mail tomorrow and plan on hammering through it! Wish me luck!

dsgm

For CCNA you couldve done packet tracer or GNS3 but hey if you have the money, why not buy a lab
Im heading to my CCNP and i am just buying my switches, will use GNS3 for my routers.

Good luck on your studies

mweaver84

yea I've played around a little with packet tracer. Just wanted something more a little hands on. Just makes it more interesting to me. Had a little extra money and anything that makes it more interesting is worth it imo.

Thanks for the reply, best of luck with the CCNP!!

mweaver84

I'm assuming that is definitely enough to start off... Anyone think I paid way more then I should've for that equipment?

bharvey92

It's a decent start and will certainly set you up well with your CCNA and possibly some CCNP Routing with the routers. However you may need to get yourself a couple of L3 switches for your CCNP. Enjoy!

alias454

From my limited view of the world, that doesn't seem like a bad deal. I have seen the little racks go for 60 bucks themselves.
I just put together a lab myself and put about $600 bucks into it with shipping.
1 x 2811 768D/256F
2 x 1841 256D/256F
4 x 2950
1 x Cyclades 32 port TS-2000 Terminal Server
4 x WIC-1DSU-T1-V2
8 x RJ-45 to Rj-45 rollover cables
I also picked up some RJ-45 ends and rack mounting screws/nuts for my existing 40u cabinet.
I had enough cat5 laying around that I didn't buy any cables except for the rollover cables.

I can honestly say, I learned a lot just from picking out gear and found it to be valuable "real world" knowledge.
I already had an HP DL380 G5 on loan from work running ESXi 5.5 so I am able to setup a segregated environment for my lab.
Plus I'm just a nerd. Some guys like expensive car stereos and Rims. I like old crusty network gear and beat up servers.

Hope you get a lot of use and enjoyment out of your new toys.
Regards

jayskata

Just think of it as an investment for this type of career. I myself bought a mini-lab from ebay as well. Wasn't able to use it that much since it was delivered to me a week before my exam. As of the moment I'm creating lab scenarios that would utilize my 2 switches 2950-24 and 2 2611XM routers. Might as well learn some skills outside of CCNA scope.

tcosic

I would get a 3550 for CCNP.

Jon_Cisco

If you already bought it cost is irrelevant. Just start using it.

The three basic ideas for labs are either:

1 - buy it quick (kits)
2 - buy it cheap (piece by piece)
3 - use a simulator (packet tracer) or emulator (GNS3)

All three are valid approaches. I had the time and money so I bought a two router two switch kit and added more parts as I went. I know I did not need any equipment but I preferred it. Since I have talked with several people that don't know where to begin with a real piece of equipment but if you show them a simulator then can get into the console. I at least learned where to plug the console cable in.

Physical labs are just another study aid. You don't have to have them but they give you another piece of experience.

Alex90

I like 1841's, got a couple myself. They are small (which is always good for a home lab) and you got IOS 15.x on them.

TechGuru80

Price and equipment wise you did fine. I have seen 1841s lately at $100 and up and you pay a premium for buying a kit. You also got IOS 15 it looks like so even better. Now as you learn you can start to research closer for individual parts without paying the premium.