Post Your Lab (PICS)

JustFred

Mine is not as clean as some you guys. also not fancy at all.



2 - 1721
1 - 1841
1 - 2950
1 - 2950T
1 - 3550-24
and a Dell PowerEdge 1950 with ESXi

PC509

FredWatanabe wrote: »

Mine is not as clean as some you guys. also not fancy at all.



2 - 1721
1 - 1841
1 - 2950
1 - 2950T
1 - 3550-24
and a Dell PowerEdge 1950 with ESXi

It builds. My first few years my lab looked a lot worse than yours. No rack. Just a stack of routers and switches on a small table. Now, I've got a lot more routers, switches, servers, cable management. It looks a lot better. The only downside is I made a custom rack. 2x4's and rack rails. It looks decent, and it works great, just not the real deal.

Mrock4

My lab, it's not complete, but should be soon (including cabling/beautification!)

3x 1841's, 4x 3550's (not all racked up), 2x 3560's (waiting on 1 to arrive), 2x 2610XM's, 2x 2610's (1 not pictured), 1x 2611XM, 2522, 2501, 2x dell servers, 1x ASA 5505, Digi CM terminal server. I think that's pretty much it.

Mrock4

FredWatanabe wrote: »

Mine is not as clean as some you guys. also not fancy at all.



2 - 1721
1 - 1841
1 - 2950
1 - 2950T
1 - 3550-24
and a Dell PowerEdge 1950 with ESXi

I like the placement of your gear..very awesome.

ciscoman2012

Well, I've added a few more additions to my rack and thought I'd share an update with you guys.

About a month ago, I asked my Dad if he could ask the engineers at his office if they have any spare gear lying around that they could let me use while obtaining my CCNA. I thought they may have some old 26xx routers that they wouldn't mind me using as spokes etc. Anyways, they finally got back to him and had a nice loot for me to use. They gave me a 2610XM (128/32) with NM32 Async card , 2851 Router with WIC T1 DSU/CSU and 1T, 3560 switch and a 881W wireless router. It helps tons when your father works for Cisco!

Here is an updated picture of my rack. I know I have way more gear than I currently need for the CCNA and I could easily pass it with just 2 switches and 2 routers. I plan on pursing my CCNP as soon as I get the CCNA so I hope this gear will be able to carry me through both exams and potentially the CCIE.

Here is a run down of my gear from top to bottom:

Skeletek 20U Rack
881W sitting ontop of rack
1U Shelf holding cable modem and Linksys Wireless home router
2x Eliminator E107 Power Strips
2950T 24port
2x 2950G 48port
3560
2511RJ (16/16)
2621XM (128/32) 12.4(T), WIC 2T, T1
2620XM (128/32) 12.4(T), WIC 2T, T1
2620XM (128/32) 12.4(T), WIC 2T, T1
2620XM (128/32) 12.4(T), WIC 1T, T1
2851 (with 1GB CompactFlash), NM 4 A/S, WIC 2T, 1T
2610XM (128/32) 12.4(T), NM 32 Async

LinuxRacr

Very nice! I just recently picked up an 881W router, and will be configuring it soon. Looking forward to being able to setup some vLANs, and the ability to VPN home. Once my other equipment arrives, I shall post up pics of my lab.

ciscoman2012

LinuxRacr wrote: »

Very nice! I just recently picked up an 881W router, and will be configuring it soon. Looking forward to being able to setup some vLANs, and the ability to VPN home. Once my other equipment arrives, I shall post up pics of my lab.

Awesome, let me know if you figure out how to set up the 881W as your home router. I'd like to do that with mine if I could find a few antennas since it came with none.

LinuxRacr

Here are a couple of resources that I found last week:

Dissecting The Cisco 881w ISR

Cisco 880W (881W, 886W, 887W, 888W) Multiple - Dual SSID Integrated Access Point Configuration

Scurvy Jake's Pirate Blog » Configuring a Cisco 881W

training4ccie

I just completed putting my CCIE lab. Now time to put it to use...

ciscoman2012

Looks great man I see you have a few 2600 routers in there as well as a 2511RJ.

Care to give us a run down on the rest of your specs?

training4ccie

ciscoman2012 wrote: »

Looks great man I see you have a few 2600 routers in there as well as a 2511RJ.

Care to give us a run down on the rest of your specs?

Thanks... A quick rundown of what I have:


1 x 2511RJ (AS)
1 x 1811 (BB2)
3 x 2650xm (BB1/FRS, BB3, R2)
2 x 2651xm (R1, R3)
1 x 2801 (R6)
2 x 2811 (R4, R5)
2 x 3560 (SW1,SW2)
2 x 3550 (SW3, SW4)


It's connected according to INE specs.

MAC_Addy

Here's an updated view of my rack... note that it's currently being re-cabled - that's why it looks bare.

LinuxRacr

Here are a couple of crappy mobile phone pictures of my growing lab. The equipment list includes:

DSI 1014 14U Server Enclosure Rack
Cisco 881W Integrated Services Wireless Router
DiGi CM 32 Console Server
Cisco 2950 Switch
Cisco 2621 Router
Cisco 3550 Switch
Dell PowerEdge 2950 (with VMware vSphere/ESXi 5)
APC SAU1500RM2U Smart UPS (with Smart Slot AP9617 Network Management Card)

Ignore the old TrendNet switch down in the corner... it will be gone soon..

MAC_Addy

Nice! Where'd you get that enclosure?

LinuxRacr

I actually got it off of Craigslist. You can get them new here: DSI 14U Server Rack Enclosure - DSI 1014

cmorris1441

I've been studying to get my first certification, A+, sometime in May after the Spring Semester ends. Today I was browsing through the Summer course list at my community college and I saw they had a CCNA course. Now, I'm planning on taking the course from May-July and then taking the exam in August.

I want to build a home lab, but I'm not really sure where to start. I have a budget of $500 and I plan on trying to pick everything up used or refurbished.

I was thinking about picking up this:
Cisco CCNA Lab Kit Best for Cisco Certification Exams  | eBay

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

JeanM

Hi, just joined this forum as I am starting the CCNA path. I've been putting the lab together by sourcing the components on ebay, so far it's just two 2950s and two 2620s. Ignore the two 1924s at the top, I'll replace them with another 2950 and 26xx. Picked up the 12u rack from amazon for under $30 shipped

MAC_Addy

LinuxRacr wrote: »

I actually got it off of Craigslist. You can get them new here: DSI 14U Server Rack Enclosure - DSI 1014

Sweet. I want to get an enclosure but they're just so expensive. I'll have to keep my eyes out for one on CL!

Oh, you have an 881W, too. How is it? I've been thinking of getting one for my home network. Just wondering if it's worth the price tag or not.

MAC_Addy

JeanM wrote: »

Hi, just joined this forum as I am starting the CCNA path. I've been putting the lab together by sourcing the components on ebay, so far it's just two 2950s and two 2620s. Ignore the two 1924s at the top, I'll replace them with another 2950 and 26xx. Picked up the 12u rack from amazon for under $30 shipped

Nice setup! Looks like you're on the right path!

cyberguypr

JeanM wrote: »

Hi, just joined this forum as I am starting the CCNA path. I've been putting the lab together by sourcing the components on ebay, so far it's just two 2950s and two 2620s. Ignore the two 1924s at the top, I'll replace them with another 2950 and 26xx. Picked up the 12u rack from amazon for under $30 shipped

Welcome to TE!

JeanM

leese wrote: »

Thank you, ITV.

Yes, you have to be careful.

For you never know what evil lurks in the shadows here at techexams.



Hey, I like to call it multitasking!


Hey Brad, nice setup!
XM's are so cool, though! Nice and compact, and sleek. It kind of makes me think of an e30 bmw m3, compared to just an e30 325. All that extra power under the hood, and the performance that goes with it. (Sorry, I like vintage beemers)
Vintage Iron is Cool.

I am reading through this thread, this caused me to re-read what I just read haha (mtechnicI e30 owner with m30b35swap)! Vintage cars are cool!

LinuxRacr

MAC_Addy wrote: »

Sweet. I want to get an enclosure but they're just so expensive. I'll have to keep my eyes out for one on CL!

Oh, you have an 881W, too. How is it? I've been thinking of getting one for my home network. Just wondering if it's worth the price tag or not.

I got the enclosure for $450. Not bad considering. A local IT consultant had moved his hardware from his home closet (literally) to a colo. His wife was so happy to see it go. The 881W I snagged for $250 off of Craigslist as well. Someone just wanted to part with it because they changed direction in their career. I haven't had the chance to configure it yet, but soon I will have it up and running.

veritas_libertas

My Dantrak C12U just arrived on the door step. I'll post some images tomorrow.

LinuxRacr

cmorris1441 wrote: »

I've been studying to get my first certification, A+, sometime in May after the Spring Semester ends. Today I was browsing through the Summer course list at my community college and I saw they had a CCNA course. Now, I'm planning on taking the course from May-July and then taking the exam in August.

I want to build a home lab, but I'm not really sure where to start. I have a budget of $500 and I plan on trying to pick everything up used or refurbished.

I was thinking about picking up this:
Cisco CCNA Lab Kit Best for Cisco Certification Exams* | eBay

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

I too am studying through the A+ now so I can start on my CCNA stuff later this month. The general consensus is that you will save money by NOt buying pre-made kits, and you will also learn more by doing the research to figure out which routers and switches to purchase. If you can, get your hardware individually from eBay or Craigslist. I found a lot of great deals.

TBev0

http://www.homecomputerlab.com/wp-content/media/HomeLab_update_22_11_2011/HomeLab_22-11-2011.jpg

Long time lurker, decided to finally sign up and say hello!

I've got a bit of everything going on in my lab: ESXi, Xen, Hyper-V, Windows, Linux, Cisco, Openfiler iscsi SAN etc .Its also a 'live' environment so it forces me a little bit more to think things through properly first and plan a lot of changes i make before implementing. I'm not really studying anything and have no certs and I've always done ok, but im beginning to wonder now if i should choose a field and specialize in one area? anyway for anyone who might be interested my blog is here:

homecomputerlab

SUBnet192

Mrock4 wrote: »

My lab, it's not complete, but should be soon (including cabling/beautification!)

3x 1841's, 4x 3550's (not all racked up), 2x 3560's (waiting on 1 to arrive), 2x 2610XM's, 2x 2610's (1 not pictured), 1x 2611XM, 2522, 2501, 2x dell servers, 1x ASA 5505, Digi CM terminal server. I think that's pretty much it.

Hmm... I am in the final stages of building INE's topology (How To Build A CCIE Rack | INE) lab with some differences. My lab has similarities with yours

3 x 1841

1 x 2651XM
1 x 2621XM with NM-4A/S
1 x 2610XM

1 x 2621 with NM-8A/S (Frame relay switch)
1 x 2501
1 x 2503

4 x 3550 (2 are for sale, I'm getting 2 3560s at the end of the month).
1 x ASA 5505
and
1 x Digi CM32 (great device for access, much easier to work with than a cisco access server).

Why the 2 servers though?

Roguetadhg

end hosts to test connectivity is my guess.

cmorris1441

LinuxRacr wrote: »

I too am studying through the A+ now so I can start on my CCNA stuff later this month. The general consensus is that you will save money by NOt buying pre-made kits, and you will also learn more by doing the research to figure out which routers and switches to purchase. If you can, get your hardware individually from eBay or Craigslist. I found a lot of great deals.

Thanks for the advice. That's what I'm trying now and I think I'll save about $30.

I just picked up a 2620 that I got used for $36. I'm also planning on getting 2 ws-2950-24 switches and a 2650 router for my home lab. Will this be enough for studying for CCENT and CCNA (2 test route)? Any recommendations?

SUBnet192

cmorris1441 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice. That's what I'm trying now and I think I'll save about $30.

I just picked up a 2620 that I got used for $36. I'm also planning on getting 2 ws-2950-24 switches and a 2610 router for my home lab. Will this be enough for studying for CCENT and CCNA (2 test route)? Any recommendations?

If you intend to go further (CCNP, CCIE), skip the low end stuff (2950s etc) and go for 3550 for example. You won't have to buy & sell the gear, simply build towards your final lab.

Look at the INE topology for CCIE and start building around that... That's what I wish I had done.

cmorris1441

SUBnet192 wrote: »

If you intend to go further (CCNP, CCIE), skip the low end stuff (2950s etc) and go for 3550 for example. You won't have to buy & sell the gear, simply build towards your final lab.

Look at the INE topology for CCIE and start building around that... That's what I wish I had done.

I'm planning on getting the CCNP, but I don't have the money to set up much of a home lab right now.