Simulator~~

kitbson

i want to practice some router functions.....
e.g access-list

Have any simulator support it ???


thx~~

nuglobe

I believe all of them support it. However, I know for sure that the sim from Boson allows it, and has 5 labs on it. Not to mention that you can download more labs from some CCNA sites. They aren't pirated, just created and saved by other people who use(d) the software.

twiggy87

Supposedly all of the simulators support all of the IOS commands.

However they usually dont! If you want real practice, **** the netsims and buy a real lab for the same price. Worked for me

Humper

Simulators are the biggest waste of cash EVER!

skaeight

What is reasonable to pay for a CCNA home lab? What type of equipment should I be looking for? Thanks.

mikej412

ModemHumper wrote:

Simulators are the biggest waste of cash EVER!

I'm not a big fan of the almost functioning simulators..... if they worked, they'd be great. They only seem to work enough to get by and to be very annoying if you want to try anything beyond the bare minimum to pass an exam.

But if you can't beg, borrow, or steal a 3550 switch, NetSim is still cheaper... it just may not work beyond any lab that ships with it.

My CCNA home lab was still less expensive than the old v5.xx NetSim.

JVE

Why cant they make a sim that uses a real IOS image like the dynamips thing? That seems like it would be the best. Is it a legal issue?

darwinism

Buying a homelab just for the CCNA is pretty overblown too. If you have plans to move towards a CCNP afterwords, then it would be a valuable asset.

TheShadow

I would say that depends on whether your goal is to just pass the test or to learn the products. If the goal is to learn the products then the home lab never loses value. Also it can always be resold when you are done. Passing the CCNA is just the beginning even if you don't take the advanced cert road.

People don't seem to have this dilemma when it is suggested to buy multiple PC's to study Microsoft or Linux or to soup up a single one to run virtual.

Webmaster

TheShadow wrote:

People don't seem to have this dilemma when it is suggested to buy multiple PC's to study Microsoft or Linux or to soup up a single one to run virtual.

That is because with a product like Virtual PC you are simulating the hardware, the Linux or Microsoft OS you run on it is the real thing and you can virtually use all it's features.

Anyway, I'm not 'that' negative about simulators. Obviously they don't beat the real thing, and if you look at the rates of the sims might as well buy a couple of 25xx routers, pass the ccna, and sell them again if you don't continue for the CCNP for example. This hasn't always been the case, and in many countries still isn't, and for the latest equipment a good sim could still save you money. And you can do a lot more with 2+ routers than 2. Consider it an addition to your certification study toolkit, just like practice exams, rather than a replacement of a homelab. Many may have some access to Cisco equipment on the job, in which case a simulator can be used to fill in the gaps to get a better coverage of the exam objectives.

TheShadow

Bottom line I believe it depends on what type of learner that you are. Visual learners seem to have the worst time with simulator only experience. I have watched people that have only worked on a simulator have minor to major difficulty on a real pod. Things as simple as hooking up cables, knowing the difference between straight, crossover, fiber, or AC versus DC power. Getting a real console prompt seems to be big on the list.

I also have nothing really against simulators as long as you are only going to do the labs that come with the simulator. However I have never had consistent results when I want to create my own labs. I can go to my physical routers and switches have have the labs work just fine.

Still some could never enter the field without simulators or virtual pc software. I am lucky that I can afford the basics (well maybe more) and have 10 routers, 4 switches, and 7 PC's in my home lab

Webmaster

With "I'm not 'that' negative..." I wasn't referring to your comments about simulators, but the decreasing opinion people seem to have of simulators these days. I was just quoting you on the virtual pc part.

I agree with pretty much all your comments about the simulators. And said the same in many posts before. Even small things like hooking up the cables and recognizing the connectors are important. There are plenty of posts from people who start with one or two old routers and the first things they run into is how to connect the cables, and what type of cables should be used. That's something the current simulators don't teach you. A similator does not substitute 'hands-on' experience, but still can be a good preparator for the exam.

TheShadow

Of course you did not Johan. I understood exactly what you meant and have read your past comments. I was just adding a further thought and adding a smiley this time.

Webmaster

Ok, glad it was obvious I too was just adding a further thought...