lab buying advise for CCNA/CCNP

hello experts,

I've been reading this website for tips while studying for tests, really appreciate this community for sharing their valuable experience for someone like me who has not much experience in this field.

I recently got Network+ certified, and am now looking at studying for CCNA and at the same time will be looking for network related jobs. So i thought I could build a home lab for both CCNA and job interviews.

I've found a kit with these:
3x 1841 128/64 (IOS15)
3x WS-C2960-24TT-L (this should be IOS15 right?)

I don't know how long these technologies last. Don't want to buy something now, and by the time I get to the next level of studying, the routers/switches are outdated. At the same time, I want a setup that I can use or upgrade for CCNP.

Thanks

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James777

another choice for the routers is:
3x 2811 256/64

this kit with 2811 costs $100 more than the kit with 1841. both kits are used (ebay) with warranty. reputable ebay seller.

Electricrhino

Why not just use GNS3 for now until you really find a need for a physical lab?

clarson

1841's can run version 15 of the ios. The same goes for the 2960's. they can run version 15 also. But, just because they can doesn't mean it will come that way. So, verify that it will. And, for feature sets, you will want at least advipservices for the 1841's and lanbase for the 2960.

dontstop

I've found a kit with these:
3x 1841 128/64 (IOS15)
3x WS-C2960-24TT-L (this should be IOS15 right?)

I'd get 2 x 2960's and 1 x C3560-24TS-S (don't get the PoE as it doesn't have the Flash memory to do 15.x). Without having a deeper look into the feature navigator you might also need to throw a bit more memory if you want to run a more feature rich IOS (SODIMM PC133 128-256MB)

clarson

as dontstop mentioned, the 1841 requires 256mb dram to run version 15 of the ios.

palevelmode

do 3550 has value for current ccna/ccnp?

James777

thanks all for your replies.

clarson wrote: »

1841's can run version 15 of the ios. The same goes for the 2960's. they can run version 15 also. But, just because they can doesn't mean it will come that way. So, verify that it will. And, for feature sets, you will want at least advipservices for the 1841's and lanbase for the 2960.

the model is: WS-C2960-24TT-L

I checked the IOS with the seller today, he replied "it comes with IOS 12. it cannot be upgraded to 15 in this module"

Is his info correct? I can see IOS 15 on the cisco website. Or is he correct that some modules cannot be upgraded?

re: memory, I'd like to max them out.

cheers

dontstop

Sure can! You need [FONT=&quot]c2960-lanbasek9-mz.150-2.SE10a.bin[/FONT]

robo78

palevelmode wrote: »

do 3550 has value for current ccna/ccnp?

That's for sure, though they can't do IPv6, QoS.

James777

good to know WS-C2960-24TT-L can take c2960-lanbasek9-mz.150-2.SE10a.bin

also would like to confirm the WS-C2960-24TT-L model below is better than the WS-C2960-24-S:
WS-C2960-24TT-L with IOS c2960-lanbasek9-mz.150-1.SE3.bin
WS-C2960-24-S with IOS c2960-lanlitek9-tar.150-2.SE9

thanks

clarson

lanlite is the dumbed down version of lanbase

pearljam

Why not just use GNS3 for now until you really find a need for a physical lab?

Second this