building a lab

caswell22

hi all, i was thinking bout building a lab, im currently doing MCSA when i complete that im going to go on and do MCSE or CCNA.

just wondering what sort of setup you guys have.

what routers do you recomend?

what do you do about software? do you buy the full blown software or do you just use eval coppies.

at the moment i use virtual pc but i was thinking bout building a new pc after xmas, so i was going to use current pc as a client, new build will make a server and i find another pc to make as another client.

sprkymrk

I like the real deal better than virtual stuff, but that's just me. I like your idea of a server and 2 clients, but for MCSA/E stuff 2 servers would be better. Definately use eval stuff for servers unless you can afford the $700 for a copy of 2003 server.

As for a CCNA lab you'll have to ask a Cisco pro. I passed the CCNA a little over 3 years ago and never used it in a working environment, so I am up for renewal but won't have time for it until middle next year.