Post Your Lab (PICS)

Hey Everyone,
I couldn't find any other thread similar to this after searching for a while, so I wanted to get one going. It would be great if everyone could post pictures of their current home or work lab (Big or Small). Hopefully we can get the CCNP/CCIE folks to post in here as well.

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Neil86

I thought I'd bump this, I enjoy seeing labs:

6 routers (3x-2610xm, 3x-1841), 6 switches (2x-2960, 2x-2950, 2x-3560), 1141 WAP, ASA 5505

Mobile rack with 10-port rackable PDU. All craigslist finds, I think I'm under $500 total. The 1841's are the most recent, and actually running on IOS 15. I need more wic-2t's.

Hoping to see what others have too!

diffie

[FONT=&amp]3x-Routers(Cisco 2811’s)[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]6x-Switches (2x-2950, 2x-3550POE, 1x-3560, 1x-3750) [/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]1x-ASA 5505[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]3x-Cisco 7960 IP phones[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]1x-Cisco 186 ATA[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]1x-MikroTik RB952U [/FONT]

[FONT=&amp]Movable Rack with 2x-APC AP9211 AP9606 (8-ports). [/FONT]

[FONT=&amp]The devices are connected to a Mac Mini (not pictured) with 2x-GearMo Quad Port FTDI USB to Serial Cable adapters. [/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]
[/FONT]

IMG_1802.jpg

the_dude7

Damn these are some impressive sets of equipment.

Any recs for a basic setup for a beginner? I just need 2 switches and 2 routers right? And they can be stacked. I was thinking of initially looking for each individual device on something like Craiglist, something old and cheap, but I feel like that would both take too long and be risky. I'm tempted to just get one of those ready made setups off of eBay or Amazon. Although I get that I'm losing out on a bit of experience in actively hunting down for my own equipment.

Another big problem: I currently live in a very small studio apartment not much bigger than a dorm, which is already overcrowded with a bunch of stuff and a lot of other electronic equipment. I have quite limited space and I have numerous power strips/surge protectors that are all full of things (unrelated to networking), including four computers. In this confined space I feel like all this equipment is generating some excess heat, as it is always ridiculously hot even without any heating on, and even if it's cold outside. Buying all these routing devices I think will only add to that problem. But my lease ain't up for another four months. I do want to actually graduate from sims to working with real equipment now that I got my cert.

diffie

the_dude7 wrote: »

Damn these are some impressive sets of equipment.

Any recs for a basic setup for a beginner? I just need 2 switches and 2 routers right? And they can be stacked. I was thinking of initially looking for each individual device on something like Craiglist, something old and cheap, but I feel like that would both take too long and be risky. I'm tempted to just get one of those ready made setups off of eBay or Amazon. Although I get that I'm losing out on a bit of experience in actively hunting down for my own equipment.

I started with a kit off eBay, that's where my 2811's came from and the 2950's which dates me.

My equipment definitely when on, creates some heat, as well as eats up some kWh's and my 3750 is LOUD.

My suggestion to you is figure out what you want to do with it, meaning, if you want to play around with voice, you need POE switches, FXO, FXS cards, PVDMs for the routers and phones. Do you want to work with security, then you need an ASA, think through the licensing. In my purchases, I made tons of errors and had (hmmm..didn't realize that moments) but it's about the learning.

You indicated that you have your certs, so do you really just want to ensure you know how to talk a someone through how to swap out a device or remove memory, then you just need to keep it simple and get a 2x-2811 routers (max out the memory), 2x-3560 switches. As your needs, desire and knowledge increase, you can expand. I'm struggling to recall what I can't do with my current setup which is the reason for my recommendation.

Since you are buying multiple devices, consider how you're going to interact with them. The two options I'm familiar with are a terminal server (a dedicate router), or USB to Serial Cable adapters connected to a computer. I went with the USB to Serial route and have a computer, a Mac in my case, which allows for some additional possibilities. I can remote into the Mac connected to my rack, power on or off individual devices and basically do whatever remotely. The theoretically, I can integrate my physical gear and GNS3 but I never dug into that.

the_dude7

diffie wrote: »

I started with a kit off eBay, that's where my 2811's came from and the 2950's which dates me.

My equipment definitely when on, creates some heat, as well as eats up some kWh's and my 3750 is LOUD.

My suggestion to you is figure out what you want to do with it, meaning, if you want to play around with voice, you need POE switches, FXO, FXS cards, PVDMs for the routers and phones. Do you want to work with security, then you need an ASA, think through the licensing. In my purchases, I made tons of errors and had (hmmm..didn't realize that moments) but it's about the learning.

You indicated that you have your certs, so do you really just want to ensure you know how to talk a someone through how to swap out a device or remove memory, then you just need to keep it simple and get a 2x-2811 routers (max out the memory), 2x-3560 switches. As your needs, desire and knowledge increase, you can expand. I'm struggling to recall what I can't do with my current setup which is the reason for my recommendation.

Since you are buying multiple devices, consider how you're going to interact with them. The two options I'm familiar with are a terminal server (a dedicate router), or USB to Serial Cable adapters connected to a computer. I went with the USB to Serial route and have a computer, a Mac in my case, which allows for some additional possibilities. I can remote into the Mac connected to my rack, power on or off individual devices and basically do whatever remotely. The theoretically, I can integrate my physical gear and GNS3 but I never dug into that.

Cool thanks. I actually got some older equipment: two routers (2611 and 2821) and two switches (2960 and 3560) off the instructors for my course, since they had several extra ones that they weren't using. I think that should be enough for a starter home setup. They didn't have the cabling for it though, so I'll have to get that myself. Will also need to install the Putty program I believe.

diffie

the_dude7 wrote: »

Cool thanks. I actually got some older equipment: two routers (2611 and 2821) and two switches (2960 and 3560) off the instructors for my course, since they had several extra ones that they weren't using. I think that should be enough for a starter home setup. They didn't have the cabling for it though, so I'll have to get that myself. Will also need to install the Putty program I believe.

Those components are definitely enough for a starter setup.

If this helps, I bought console cables off Amazon for $1/each with free shipping about 8 months ago. Computer power cables work. Thrift stores sell these for pennies.

Yep..Putty it is free and what I use when on a PC.

the_dude7

diffie wrote: »

Those components are definitely enough for a starter setup.

If this helps, I bought console cables off Amazon for $1/each with free shipping about 8 months ago. Computer power cables work. Thrift stores sell these for pennies.

Yep..Putty it is free and what I use when on a PC.

One of the routers has a WIC T1 Serial module installed (the one requiring a 60 pin, 15x4, cable). I understand this is used for WAN connections. Is there a way you can simulate a "WAN" in your own home lab using two routers with this kind of interface installed, and the right kind of serial cable connecting them? Or would that not work and should I just use say a straight-through Cat 5 or 6 Ethernet patch cable (RJ-45) for connecting the two routers?

awitt11

If you have another router with a WIC T1 Serial, you can get a crossover serial. However, may make sense to get some WIC 1T or 2T. Do some research on interface cards. Cisco uses a fairly standard naming convention. Lots of info to digest but important for making things work. If you use patch cable, you will need to make a T1-crossover.

mr.comfortably

I regret that I never made a physical lab in my studies, I always worked through GNS3 or PT. When I hit the field I was shocked when I had to do the physical layer crap too. I'm now a pro at it though ;p Cool labs, love it. Keep workin' we're all reaching for the top!

alan2308

^^^^ That's why when asked, I still recommend picking up a couple of pieces of physical gear if possible if you've never touched a router before, even if you do plan to do your studying in GNS3 or PT. It doesn't even have to be good gear, just something you can actually get your hands on. The first time you spend an hour pouring over your configs only to realize you just had an Ethernet cable not pushed in all the way, you'll get it.

the_dude7

Since my two laptops don't have ports for direct Ethernet cable connections (RJ-45s), I assume I will need some kind of converter into a USB then? To connect them to these routers and serve as the "hosts" in my lab setups. Seem affordable on Amazon, just around $13.

Also, can you simultaneously use the Console connection and an actual Ethernet connection on the same computer to a router/switch? And use the Console one just for management of the router/switch through a terminal program like Putty, while the Cat 5 Ethernet cable is used for the actual main connection?

Shinjusn0w

I currently dont have any certs but persuing my CCENT.
I got some old switches and routers from my current job.

I have 2 routers
1x Cisco 2600 series Router
1x Cisco 2500 Series Router
1x Cisco switch 3550
Maybe getting another 3550 as well.

Once I get through my todd lammle CCNA R&S study guide a bit more. I cant wait to get started with labs.

clarson

yes you certainly can run a console connection and an ethernet connection.

but, if the piece of equipment is reloaded, the connection is lost. and you can not get back in until the system is up. you will only be able to see the system startup messages from the console.

and also any ethernet connections that went through the piece of equipment that reloaded is also lost. and will need to be reconnected.

easier to do the config from the console. then when everything is up and running to use the ethernet connections.

Shinjusn0w

Shinjusn0w wrote: »

I currently dont have any certs but persuing my CCENT.
I got some old switches and routers from my current job.

I have 2 routers
1x Cisco 2600 series Router
1x Cisco 2500 Series Router
1x Cisco switch 3550
Maybe getting another 3550 as well.

Once I get through my todd lammle CCNA R&S study guide a bit more. I cant wait to get started with labs.

Is this a good learning setup?

also should I also use GNS3 and Packet Tracer as well or will the home lab be sufficient?

Please ignore that last quick post. #1448 or delete it for me please

Thank you

LinuxRacr

The new version of this is here:

https://community.infosecinstitute.com/categories/show-us-your-tech!