Another member here PM'd me asking what my suggestions were in building a lab for the CCNA. I wound up responding with what I built and some good links and realised it could only help to pass this info to others as well. I know there are other threads in the FAQ but everyones lab and ideas are different so here are mine...(copy and paste from PM)
Well I myself take the CCNA in one test. That's how I did it before. Here's what I would suggest for the lab, for now. It's actually what I already just got.
1.) A 2610 or 2612. I say 2612 because it has everything the 2610 has but also has a TR port, but is still cheaper than the 2610...just slightly. (50+SH)
2.) A 2924 switch. Stay away from the 1900's. (40-70+SH)
3.) A 2950 switch (12 port is fine). You will be able to use this for your CCNP but it will help on your CCNA as well because you can play with trunking and VLANs with this bad boy. It is expensive so this is the one I'd be patient with and look for a good deal on. I got mine for $170+SH but expect to pay a little more. (200+SH)
4.) Now, you're going to need at least 1 more router, and I'd even suggest 2. I asked everyone on the boards what I should get and they all told me to get a 2509 or 2511 because they can act as a terminal server. With this machine I wont have to move my console cable every time I want to configure a different device in my lab. I'll be able to telnet into them through this router. I was EXTREMELY lucky just 2 days ago and got my hands on a 2509 for 60+SH. Expect to pay around $120-150+SH. You don't have to get this but I'd suggest it for expansion in the future.
5.) Above will give you a good lab, but if you aren't over budget yet, do what I am. I'm buying an additional 2610 and another 2924. This way I'll have 3 routers and 3 switches. With 3 switches I'll be able to play with STP and switching loop issues. With 3 routers I'll be able to play in detail with frame relay by making one of them the frame switch.
In the end, the first 4 should be ok for you. You dont even really need to get the 2509/2511 if you dont want to. You can just get 2 2610's, the 2950, and the 2924 and you should be more than fine. Now, I'm gonna hook you up even more. I bookmarked the guy I buy the 2610's off of. They are pretty cheap...
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZmintzerQQhtZ-1
Here's the catch. His machines don't come with a serial module, but I found another really good guy to buy those from...
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZnetwork-prodQQhtZ-1
For $46 buy it now he'll send you 2 WIC-1T's. This guy is great because he got me my items from Japan in 3 damn days. Amazing. After you buy your 2 routers from mintzer you'll be able to use 1 wic for each machine and you're set there. Then, for the serial cables, and really any other cables you might need, i found this guy...
http://computers.search.ebay.com/_Networking_W0QQcatrefZC12QQfrppZ25QQsacatZ11176QQsassZmonopriceQ2ecom
From him I got the 1ft small (I dont like loose hanging cables) back to back DTE/DCE crossover cable for like $3. Very cheap.
And this is where I got my 2924 switch. I got it when he was selling them for $39.99 but it looks like he may have just raised his price to $69.99. That's still one of the better buy it now prices I'm seeing for that machine...
http://computers.search.ebay.com/_Networking_W0QQcatrefZC12QQsacatZ11176QQsassZocdepot
The 2950 and 2509 you've really just got to search for. The good thing about the 2509 is that it comes with 2 build in serial interfaces already. If you bought 2 2610's and the 2 WICs from the guy above, that's all you'd need. You'd make the 2509 with 2 serial ports your center and out of each serial you'd connect the other 2610's...
(2610-s0/0)
>(2509-s0/0 | 2509-s0/1)<
(2610-s0/0)
Ok, that should help you. Feel free to come to me with anymore questions. Enjoy building your lab my friend.
PS. This in no way was an advertisement for those comnpanies. I don't own them.
I just think their prices were good and was very happy when I bought from them myself.
