Cisco VIRL for CCNA

steelodon

Has anyone tried using Cisco VIRL for CCNA study?

koz24

I am using it for the SP track mainly for the XRv but it should be more than enough for CCNA studies. Get the 20 node license and save yourself 100 bucks.

steelodon

Thanks. I was considering this and a GNS3 build with a physical 3550 switch to start.

koz24

steelodon wrote: »

Thanks. I was considering this and a GNS3 build with a physical 3550 switch to start.

What you should do is figure out whether or not you would like to pursue CCNP/CCIE in the future. If you do, then you should invest in four 3560 E or X or 3750 E or X right away and forget the 3550s. You can then hook these switches into GNS3 and skip VIRL. If you plan to stop at CCNA you can get the 3550s and it will be cheaper than a VIRL subscription. You pay extra for the VIRL convenience of not having to deal with images and hooking switches into GNS3. VIRL would also be good if you are going for CCNA Sec since it has ASAv, CCNA SP for XRv, and maybe even the DC track, though I'm not sure what it supports on that end.

Fadakartel

koz24 wrote: »

What you should do is figure out whether or not you would like to pursue CCNP/CCIE in the future. If you do, then you should invest in four 3560 E or X or 3750 E or X right away and forget the 3550s. You can then hook these switches into GNS3 and skip VIRL. If you plan to stop at CCNA you can get the 3550s and it will be cheaper than a VIRL subscription. You pay extra for the VIRL convenience of not having to deal with images and hooking switches into GNS3. VIRL would also be good if you are going for CCNA Sec since it has ASAv, CCNA SP for XRv, and maybe even the DC track, though I'm not sure what it supports on that end.

Question does VIRL support CCNP/CCIE service provider topics? like MPLS CSC VPNs, Multicast etc?

koz24

Fadakartel wrote: »

Question does VIRL support CCNP/CCIE service provider topics? like MPLS CSC VPNs, Multicast etc?

I'm sure it does but I can double check later.

steelodon

How about the Boson sims? Someone suggested that for studying.