Your opinion on Prices...

Netstudent

OKay so I just bought a 2950 switch with 12.1 IOS for 168.00 including shipping.
I also bought a Cisco 2620 IOS 12.2 for 130 including shipping. They were the cheapest I could find of those models. The 2620 doesn't have any modules, but Flash Size 16MB
NVRAM 32KB DRAM : 48MB


Now that I have the high end gear taken care of, I just need the cheap stuff.

Whats the going price for a 2610 or 2611? I don't want to over pay for the lower models.
There is a guy on ebay selling 2610's for 50 bucks a piece. Is that a good price? Is there any limitations to the 2610's or 2611's as far as CCNA/CCNP is concerned?

I want to get 3 more routers and 2 more switches. So maybe a frame-switch 2520 and couple 2610's and two 2924 switches.

I'm trying to stay within a $750 budget and I have already spent 300.

If anyone honest has any gear they want to let go for a good price, PM me.

So what are yall's oppinion on this setup? overkill or good?

mgeorge

As an instructor, normally I would recommend you stay in the 2600 series routers, you can get
2610's for about 50-100 bucks on ebay. But if your really looking to conserve money then you
can use 2501's, 2514's. Keep in mind that if you use the 2600 series you'll have to but wic-1t's
but also keep in mind that if you do use 2600's you can upgrade those wic-1t's to wic-1dsu's
later, as well as use NM modules such as the NM-8AS (for frame relay). and in such configuration
you can control what router has why physical ports. Both series have their advantage but its
really what you desire to do with the lab.

Darthn3ss

thats a great price for a 2950.

thats what i paid for my 2620 as well, so i'd say thats a decent deal there.

mikej412

You've already found some good deals!

As Matt already said -- make sure you plan on your accessories like those WIC-1Ts if you want to stay within your budget. If you can fit the rest of the switches and get the 2600s in whats left of your budget, that would be great.

You can always boot images from a TFTP server if you want to delay upgrading flash memory now to save some money -- but that might not be an issue until you get into the CCNP.

Netstudent

Okay I will keep that in mind. Thanks for in the input.

Netstudent

mgeorge27 wrote:

As an instructor, normally I would recommend you stay in the 2600 series routers, you can get
2610's for about 50-100 bucks on ebay. But if your really looking to conserve money then you
can use 2501's, 2514's. Keep in mind that if you use the 2600 series you'll have to but wic-1t's
but also keep in mind that if you do use 2600's you can upgrade those wic-1t's to wic-1dsu's
later, as well as use NM modules such as the NM-8AS (for frame relay). and in such configuration
you can control what router has why physical ports. Both series have their advantage but its
really what you desire to do with the lab.

Matt,

WHat type of configs and/or topologies could I do with the WIC-1dsu? Also would I connect my routers, back to back, with CAt5 crossover cables? If I had the WIC-1dsu would the IOS see it as another Serial interface? I guess i'm trying to see the advantages of using the wic-1dsu over the 1t. Thanks

dtlokee

WIC-1DSU basically provides a 64k/b serial interface and can be used back to back like the WIC1T but you need to use a rolled cable to do it, not a crossover cable. If you use the WIC-1DSU-1T you would need a T-1 crossover cable. I use the WIC-1DSU interface cards in classes because they are easy to patch with roll-over cables.

Netstudent

Oh okay....
I just got the winning bid on a lot of 3 2610's for 100 bucks, no modules. I have a feeling the modules are whats going to put me over my budget.

I have 350 left and I need 2 more switches, and at least 3 WIC-1T's and 1 NM-4A/S and cables. Looks like I'm going to be cutting it close.

Now I just have to cross my fingers that all these bits and pieces are fully functional.

kafifi13

I nearly got a 2924 XL switch for $15 off ebay. Somebody put in a bid last minute to raise it up to $36.00. I won and with shipping and handling i paid a total of $51.00 which isn't bad. I've paid more for that on my other 2924 switch. You just have to be patient and look around. It would have been nice if i won it for $15

Netstudent

Ya I think I'm going to slow down now that I got 4 routers and 1 switch. From here on out i'm going to wait patiently for a couple 2924's. I should be able to take my studies to the next level with what I have already purchased so no need for rushing it now. I just need the modules and cables now.

Two 2924's for 15 bucks a pop would be really nice, and if you see any good deals out there, PM me!

kafifi13

no doubt.

mikej412

Netstudent wrote:

3 2610's for 100 bucks

SCORE!

You can usually find a Buy it Now NM-4AS for $60...... so try to bid on one cheaper while you work on the WIC-1Ts and cables.

Netstudent

:P
KEWL! I'll try to stay within 60bucks.

mgeorge

One of the configurations i use with my students is that all our routers have wic-1dsu's in it
and we use a LS1010 ATM switch which has 8 rj45 t1's on it. but in just a cheep lab you'd
only be able to use them for point to point, unless you manage to get a 5500 series catalyst
or a LS1010 (which are around 100-500 bucks) You will very rarely see serial T1's in the real
world unless you request it or the isp sucks @$$. But as for configuration wise they are still
the same, the wic-1dsu is seen as a serial interface, so you'd configure as if you are doing
Router(config)#int s0/0

Most of the times you can buy routers with the WIC-1DSU and they are cheeper then buying
the wic by its self.

But the draw back to this scenario is that if you use rj45 t1's, you would have to use an rj45
frame relay switch as well. So probably the best route (Cheepest) to go would be buying wic-1t's
or wic-2t's with the smart serial to DB60 DCE cable. and using a NM-4AS or 8AS in a 2600 as a
frame relay. Really you can probably get a 2610 and a nm-8as cheeper then you can the 2522.

If you had the money I would suggest the Rj45 route but since finances are a issue here, i'd go
the db60/SS16 route. beleive it or not WIC-2T's are very nice for 20 bucks more then the WIC-1T

Any who hope this helps.

Netstudent

Ya we just replaced all of our 1600 and 1700 SOHO routers with cisco IAD 2400 series because we went to VoIP and frame-relay for data. So now we have 2 full T's at both hub locations, one for data and one for the PRI or VOIP. All of these routers were connected to a CSU via WIC-1dsu cards. I haven't seen anyone actually using the Wic-1T in a production environment. But this is my first real IT job I got after getting my A.S degree and a cert. so I haven't actually seen much. YET!

Netstudent

Alright so I just bought an 8 piece set of WIC-1T's for 180 which comes out to a little over 20 bucks a piece and a NM-4AS for 65.

So right now I'v bought 3 2610's 24D/8F, 1 2620 16F/48D, 1 2950, 8 WIC 1t's, 1 NM-4AS, and a console kit for a total of 680 bucks. All have IOS 12.1 and higher. I have $70 left for v.35 DTE/DCE crossovers and a couple 2924's.

All said and done i'll probably spend between 750-780 for everything. 4 2600 routers 3 2900 switches.

I'm going CCNP right after I pass CCNA so thats why i got 2600 and 2900 series gear. I'll probably get a 2509 later for an access server.

A pre-assembled kit on ebay for 700-800 would probably not get you near this much stuff or these models. I think for everything i'm going to get, you would probably spend between 1200 and 1500 if not more.

Check this one out on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/Premium-CCNA-CCNP-Training-Cisco-Lab-3640-2900_W0QQitemZ130119548215QQihZ003QQcategoryZ73321QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I vote for building your own!

mgeorge

DO NOT BUY NOTHING CISCO OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES

Figured i'd post that for ya, almost everything sold from china, hong kong, behjing, koerea,
russia etc.. are almost 100% counterfiet

Any who figured i'd let ya know

Netstudent

Will it still work?

elegua

mgeorge27 wrote:

DO NOT BUY NOTHING CISCO OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES

Figured i'd post that for ya, almost everything sold from china, hong kong, behjing, koerea,
russia etc.. are almost 100% counterfiet

Any who figured i'd let ya know

Hi,

I met a guy last year, he is living in Hong Kong and he sell on ebay, i bought a lot of things from him and some of them look like fake but for home lab is perfect, everythings is working very good, no problem at all, i have one 1760 facing internet with one wic-adsl card that it looks and is fake but it works like hell, more than 5 months and still running.

For a home lab, they should be fine.

Hope this help.

Netstudent

Well I think the Wic-1T's are coming from China, but they guy advertised the company and a 1 year warranty on the cards. I think they probably are counterfeit now that I did some reading about it, but **** what can you do....I wish I would have known before hand.

The Website for the company does look kinda phony though because the word "Homepage" is misspelled and who the hell misspells something on a website. You all check it out and tell me what you think.

The company Website:

www.necbay.com

Here is the item on ebay with the seller and feedback:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=012&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=220116502467&rd=1&rd=1

elegua

Hi.

Check this out:

http://cgi.ebay.com/8-PCs-NEW-CISCO-WIC-1T-WIC-1T-Best-Price_W0QQitemZ320100912934QQihZ011QQcategoryZ67290QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I better go with this, i bought from him before and is very serious, he used DHL 3 days shipping, and any problem he takes care of it.

Hope this help.

Netstudent

Well I already bought them. So theres no going back now. But that looks like the exact same type of deal I got. Bulk set, 1 year warranty, yatta yatta yatta. I just hope they work.

kafifi13

Hey man. I bought from him last week. I got a letter from DHL. It was seized from Customes because of some issues with importing it. I guess China is imfamous for counterfit stuff. Also it's totally under the retail value so they need you to get a license. other people have ordered from thsi guy and had sucess. I didn't. The good thing is this guy gave me my money back right away on paypal and for that i'd at least trust him. I talked to DHL and they said that they pick things out ever now and then and inspect.

The problem is when you get the package he tells DHL that the items he's sending are valued at 10 bucks. I think he does thsi beacause anything over a certain dollar amount needs to be declared or he has to pay export tax. Anyway customs basically seized my shipment.

Netstudent

damn....I had a feeling all this ebay buying wasn't going to go off without a hitch.

Well at least he gave you your money back. I guess thats a little comforting. all I can do it cross my fingers now. But why is the guy still selling if he is losing his product at customs? Probably because he has so much counterfiet that he doesn't care.

What state do you live in Kafifi?

kafifi13

I live in Boston Mass. I think he does it because he probably gets caught 1 out of every 10 times. Also he probably ships to other places around the world where there customs aren't as bad

Over the last 2 weeks i have bought all of my lab equipment off ebay. To be honest no issues except for the one i mentioned. So don't worry. I'm sure there will be a small problem or two but just really read into the product and ask the seller questions. The worst thing i had was a password recovery issue. Which too me is great becasue it's good practice. In the real world nothing will come already setup for you like they have it in a sim. So bid with confidence but just do your research first that's all.

Netstudent

Well i think I learned a lesson here.
Hopefully it will not be an expensive lesson or I might just have to take a trip to Hong Kong and get midevil on someone's ass.

Delirious

those are some decent prices for 2950's. I got 2 of them one for 190.00 shipped and one for 170.00 shipped.

Is the NM-4AS necessary? I have 3 2610's and 2 have one wic-1T's and the third has 2 wic-1T cards. (these came in cisco boxes from ebay but i think they came from Hong Kong).

Will this work for frame relay?

elegua

Delirious wrote:

those are some decent prices for 2950's. I got 2 of them one for 190.00 shipped and one for 170.00 shipped.

Is the NM-4AS necessary? I have 3 2610's and 2 have one wic-1T's and the third has 2 wic-1T cards. (these came in cisco boxes from ebay but i think they came from Hong Kong).

Will this work for frame relay?

If you can have the NM-4AS, will be great for your frame relay switching.

Hope this help.

Delirious

elegua wrote:

Delirious wrote:

those are some decent prices for 2950's. I got 2 of them one for 190.00 shipped and one for 170.00 shipped.

Is the NM-4AS necessary? I have 3 2610's and 2 have one wic-1T's and the third has 2 wic-1T cards. (these came in cisco boxes from ebay but i think they came from Hong Kong).

Will this work for frame relay?

If you can have the NM-4AS, will be great for your frame relay switching.

Hope this help.

basically without im limited in what i can do is what your saying?

This is what i would be limited too.

2610

---

2610(frame cloud)

---

2610
1-wic1T 2xwic-1T 1 wic-1T

I dont see how haveing 4 ports with the NM-4S will help unless i get more routers

I guess i could use my 2509 as a terminal and hook it up to the cloud?

mikej412

I avoid anything that isn't from the US.... but people have had good luck with "the panda" -- and if you don't lose your money, it might be worth it on the small stuff for the home lab.

On the "big stuff" -- I've gotten better deals bidding on eBay rather than the "feeling lucky buy it now from China" items.

Delirious wrote:

I guess i could use my 2509 as a terminal and hook it up to the cloud?

Yes!! A hub and spoke with a single spoke is a lot less fun than a hub with 2 spokes.

Netstudent

I agree...With frame relay there are so many different ways to configure it. Especially when you consider the routing protocols.

I am thinking ahead to CCNP though..CCNA is just my stepping stone, so I want my lab to be scalable for the future.

So I'm finally done buying everything. I just got 2 2924's for 85 including shipping. Guaranteed against DOA.

Grand total 810 for 4 routers and 3 switches, 9 modules, 5 DTE/DCE crossover cables, 1 console kit.

Not too bad.