2501 Vs 4500M Modular Router, Which is better?

djjit

Can someone please give me a bit of guidance with this one. I am trying to purchase a router from an online auction. I have a choice between;
2501 which consists;

2 x Serial
1 x Ethernet (AUI)
8 Mb Flash
16 Mb DRAM
Power Supply

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4500M Modular router consists;
1 x NP-2T (2-Port Serial)
1 x NP-2E (2-Port Ethernet)
3 x Modular slots (in total)
16Mb Flash
48Mb DRAM
AC Power Supply
With 3 Modular slots for growth and expansion

Which one should I go for? What should be a reasonable price for these, given that they are second hand?

Thank you

djjit

Webmaster

I worked with both of these, at that time the 4000 series was one of the coolest things to play with...

Anyway, some considerations:

- Most practice questions, example configs, and sims are based on the the 2500 model.
- The extra ethernet interface on the 4500, allows you to create a second LAN (and route info between them etc.) very easily. (ie. connect a host directly to both E interfaces. To be able to do most things with the 2500 router, you would need a second one. (back-to-back serial link)
- The RAM on the 4500 might seem great, but is huge overkill for a home lab, even for most small sized corporate networks.
- Modular slots: these modules are more expensive than a used 2500 router.

What should be a reasonable price for these, given that they are second hand?

Depends on a couple of other things:
- What is the IOS version? Difference is price should be rather huge depending if it is 11.2 or higher or not. I've seen them being sold on Ebay for as low as $73, but with an IOS version 9.x. If the IOS is 11.2 or higher, you can expect to pay $150-$400.
- How old are they? A router that has been used for years and years with average CPU usage of 90%+ might drop dead
- Do they include the original V.35 cables, console cable etc? These might be expensive if you have to buy them separately.

Which one should I go for?

I tend to say: the 2501, but both would be nice

I hope this helps!