Got some kit - how does it all connect?

jedijee

Hi there,

Here's some Cisco equipment I've managed to get a hold of thanks to a friend while I study for the CCNA. Please let me know if it is enough and how I can connect all of this together as this is the first time I am working with Cisco equipment. Thank you very much.

2 x Catalyst 1900 Switches
1 x 2500 Series Router
1 x 1600 Series Router
1 x 2611 Router

Currently I have many patch cables but am not sure what cables are needed and what ports they connect to to have a functional lab.

Also, I have no idea what the IP addresses are set as for these units so am unsure how to connect to them.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

JediJee

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Paul Boz

You should definitely start with the basics before you get involved with trying to construct your lab. Heck, just knowing what the hardware does and how to interconnect it is probably one of the biggest learning curves in your learning.

jedijee

Hi guys,

Thanks for the advice. I will check out those two links and get hold of some other cables, e.g. rollover cables etc.

I know what functions each device performs, but since in my 8 years of networking for small businesses I have not worked with Cisco eqiupment, or rather any setup that had more than one or two devices performing all the network needs. Also, the eqiupment I've used in the past came with the neat GUI WWW interface, so this o/s stuff and connecting all these devices together is new.

Is the equipment right though? I've heard some people on the web say 1900's and 2500's are a waste of time since they're not covered on the exam? How accurate is this? I believe the exams to cover basic setups, and most commands can be ran on these units right even though the IOS version may be a little older?

Cheers,

JediJee

Darthn3ss

from what i understand, 1900 switches won't do you any good, but the 2500s and either 1600 or 1700s even will work for your router.

for the 2500 series, you will probably need to pick up a ethernet transceiver. this plugs into the ethernet AUI port on the router and allows you to have an ethernet port for your cables to plug into.

for the 2600, and possibly 1600, you're probably going to have to pick up a WIC-1t to connect those routers to the 2500. a WIC 1t is a expansion card that slides into one of the WIC slots on your router (2600, possible 1600, someone else could possibly chime in on 1600 that'd be awesome). this gives you a serial port that you'd use to connect to another router...

but i definitely agree with the other posters. i'd put the lab aside for a while and hit the books first. if you're in a cisco networking academy, you won't use much equipment until CCNA 2.