Updating lab (not looking for typical advice)

advanex1

Hello all,

Currently looking to piece together a lab while I'm deployed. I have about 3 3550 switches and if I remember correctly, a few 2500 or 2600 series routers (not new by any means), 1 or 2 1700 series routers, and a 2509. I have an NM-8A/S as well to create a frame relay switch.. I never really got around to it.

My questions are the following:

1. What routers/switches do you think would best serve my needs a year from now and beyond? I know that IOS 15 is a priority. My main concern here is that by the time I get back into country, something may possibly change. I am looking for a bit of future proofing. Buying things this far out and staggering them will allow me to ease the stress on the pocketbook. I'm not hurting by any means, I just don't like large purchases.

2. What ASA would you recommend that will not break the bank, is going to be around a while (future proof), and I can justify to my wife...

3. Other than dantrak made racks, what other racks would you recommend?

4. Are there any sellers that you suggest? Any companies you've had luck with in the past buying bulk? I don't want to buy kits unless someone here can say that they are reasonable. I know they are typically overpriced.

5. Are there any sellers in the community currently? If so and it's reasonable, I would choose to support them instead.

Thanks for reading. I know this stuff is posted a lot, but I hope to get some different dialogue than the others.

-J

Iristheangel

1) As far as routers, you can probably just invest in a decent server and virtualize those routers. I'd just use CSR1000vs in eval mode, VIRL and/or GNS3. For the switches, I'd probably pick up a couple 3750V2. I have a couple off ebay and they still serve me well
The 3750V2s have up to 15.0.2-SE9 as of 12/7:

And they go for $60-75 on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cisco-Catalyst-3750-V2-Series-PoE-24-Ethernet-Switch-WS-C3750V2-24PS-S-V04-/351616031114?hash=item51ddf2d98a:g:llMAAOSwSdZWgt95
or if you want to pay a little more and keep your physical footprint smaller, you can pay $150 and get a small 8-port 3560 which can run the same IOS version as above: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cisco-WS-C3560-8PC-S-Catalyst-8-Port-PoE-External-Switch-735670-/121841165368?hash=item1c5e4ca438:g:l2cAAOSwCQNWcCfz



2) ASA 5506-X. You can get one off Amazon for approx $420. This little ASA could easily fun Firepower services so you have some future proofing there. I wouldn't bother with getting a second one to set up HA since you can do those functions in VIRL or GNS3. Pretty much the advantage of real hardware in this case is the Firepower functionality which you can't easily virtualize without licensing

3) I liked my Skeletek rack. It was REALLY sturdy and probably the only thing I've bought off Certificationkits.com in my entire time here: Cables and Accessories - Rack Stands - CertificationKits

4) For the 3750, ebay it and look for someone with large amounts of good feedback.
For the ASA, I used this seller: Robot Check
Note: I know they have some negative feedback but it's stupid. The feedback is complaining about the design of ASAs not realize that the seller isn't actually Cisco.
GNS3 is free, VIRL is for purchase here: VIRL - Virtual Internet Routing Lab I would probably put in for the academic edition if I were you

5) I'm not selling anything but maybe someone else will pipe in

advanex1

@Iris - thank you. I'll look into the ASA and the switches. I already have GNS3/VIRL, however, I have to admit that I'm a little put off with VIRL and the lack of FAQ support so to speak thus far. I'll have to take a week or so and really get used to it. Finally got 1.0 downloaded (took forever) so maybe I'll get that setup instead and work through how to actually setup the lxc hosts ip addresses, heh. It looks like from what you say though, virtualization is the way forward in terms of labs.

I appreciate your input.