Cheap Cisco Routers and Switches

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for where to buy some cheap Cisco routers and switches (preferably second hand) for my lab. I am living in Nairobi, Kenya and I think it may be difficult to secure these equipment locally.

I could consider some online shops though I suspect the cost of shipping and clearance could really inflate the prices for these routers and switches.

Could anyone lend me an idea because I really need to set up a lab.

Dula

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Comments

Paul Boz

Ebay is the best bet for cheap stuff, but given your geographical confines, I'd look into just setting up a dynamips lab.

dula

Paul Boz wrote:

Ebay is the best bet for cheap stuff, but given your geographical confines, I'd look into just setting up a dynamips lab.

Thanks Paul,

I already have dynamips set up. I was looking for some switches/routers to play around with and do practical configurations. And I agree, my geographical location works to my disadvantage, that's why I'm looking for someone with an idea how to go around this.

Paul Boz

In all honesty, I passed the CCNA without using one piece of real Cisco hardware. Having hands on experience with IOS is extremely helpful, but you get that with Dynamips, since it uses the actual OS you'd find on any modern piece of Cisco equipment. The only real benefit to using real gear is the feeling of making the physical connection between two devices. Is that "benefit" worth the hastle you're going to have to go through to purchase equipment?

I don't mean to discourage you from spending your money how you want to, but I do feel it's important to let you know the pros and cons, especially given the challenges you face getting equipment.

dula

I understand and thanks for your concern. Really for CCNA I concur with you I dont need the physical hardware.

But in future I plan to go into CCNP and hopefully CCIE. This is the reason I'm planning ahead and looking if I could get some h/w for practise. I could easily have access to the office equipment but I wouldn't like practising my skills on a production system, certainly no.

Thanks a lot for your input anyway.

Pash

A lot of sellers are willing to ship worldwide, this will unfortunately come at considerable extra cost. There arent really many other alternatives my friend. Second extreme option? Apply for a temporary visa to study in the Uk or somewhere, find a cheap but respectable IT academy to bootcamp at. Get a part time job, pay for accomodation and get hands on with labs at college. You wouldnt be the first guy or gal to do that in London btw, several of the students at my old IT college were from african countries, eastern europe, western asia as well.

Anyway that is an extreme option but it does work for some.

Cheers and good luck!

dula

Pash,
An interesting advice there. I am through with my undergraduate but would consider doing masters in the UK.

Cheers

kafifi13

I was using a simulator and I agree with Paul you can pretty much pass with that. But i went ahead and bought equipment myself and find it pretty fun and practical. Some of the stuff you buy won't work right out the box so you really have to play around ask questions and figure things out. Which i guess is good hands on. You will be able to see how the IOS reacts to different physical changes. If you have the money then go for it. If your tight then stick with the simulator.