IPS Rack time

Ahriakin

Can anyone recommend an online rack rental that has a 5.x IPS appliance running?

Cheers.

mikej412

Most of the CCIE Lab rack rentals still seem to be using the IDS running 5.x

... but NLI ( www.ccbootcamp.com ) says they have

Cisco 4235 IPS 5.x Sensor (for Security)

Ahriakin

Excellent, many thanks sir.

Edit: Probably a stupid question but how do these things usually work, I'm guessing you VPN into their lab network and go from there?

Edit Part Ducks: Had time to actually do some rooting this morning and saw it was telnet. I've emailed them to see if they have provisions for GUI access.

mikej412

Simplest case you may just telnet to an access server.....

VPN access to a rack network gives you access to remote power, remote PCs and servers, in addition to an access server (or a management network for individual device access).

There could also be a web application server interface -- configured for access to various devices, servers, etc.

I think Darby said he was setting up his racks to give you remote access to a rack PC.... and then you work from there.

There could be combinations.... telnet to an access server, but a web page may give you access to remote power... etc.

Ahriakin

Yup they replied and said they can setup VNC or RDP access for the GUI. Sooooo looks like I'll be giving this a go in a week or 2....or 3....laziness has set in .

Thanks again Mike.

Ahriakin

Just an update. I rented one 6 hour block to do some practice. It was very useful but be prepared to do some work in setting the network up before you start - no fault of the provider since the previous user is supposed to blank the configs but the unit I was on did not have a default config or match the supplied IP details (Of course this is a CCIE level rack so it's functionality first, hand-holding 2nd)...While frustrating at the start this was actually good in the end since I got to do some troubleshooting that was at least as valuable as my planned study. Really all I did was work on navigating the different service modes in the CLI, making some basic changes and then having a good look around the GUI. For the last 2 hours I sat down with the study guide and walked through each of the configuration examples. Not as handy as being able to pick up and use a unit at will but overall I'm glad this service was available, I'd recommend it to anyone else who doesn't have access to an appliance.
Exam's tomorrow and I don't have a good feeling about it...if only they'd left the release of Supreme Commander until the weekend Time will tell .

mikej412

Ahriakin wrote:

Exam's tomorrow

Good Luck!

Ahriakin

Thank you sir. Ah well if I don't pass it's a practice run. I pushed pretty hard before Xmas knocking out 3 exams in 2 months and just kinda burned out so I'm not as stressed about this one....still I'll be pissed if I fail . 5 hours to go...