Wiring Job - Assembly Question - Frame Relay

szkizzer

Ok, so far of all the equipment Ive managed to get over the last two days, here's a list.

Cisco 2501 [ 2 Serial Ports ] Cisco 2501 [ 2 Serial Ports ] Cisco 2501 [ 2 Serial Ports ] Cisco 2610 [ 1 Serial Port ] NM A/S 4 Port [ 4 Port Serial Module ] - setup in 2610 as Frame Relay Switch Cisco 2524 [ 1 T1 Module, 1 Serial Port ] Cisco 2924 Enterprise Switch Cisco 2505 16D/16F (my personal favorite) - with 8 ethernet ports, I can use this as my home router/firewall tester/w/e/ 16 MB Dram Modules [ 3 of them for Cisco 2501 ] 8 MB Flash Modules [ 6 of them for Cisco 2501 ]

Now, here a part where I need help of the enlightened ones:

- Its is time.....to buy the DTE/DCE Cables -

Now the problem with that is, If i wanna connect the 2501's to the 2610, how many Cables do I need for the Frame Relay

- Can the 2524 be setup in the Frame Relay, since it only as one serial port?

- If/when I setup my Frame Relay, the majority of work is done on the frame relay switch right?

If So? Should I max out the 2610 memory from 8F/24D to 64F/64D


- Consoles Cables!!!! How many do I need, especially in a frame relay setup? And Ive seen in demo videos that people can log on to neighboring routers and edit their config....so Im gonna be most of the time working on the 2610? right?

- Custom PC - So I built a Dual Core PC with gig of ram and 3 ethernet ports-- So should and Can and I put them somewhere in the Cisco Frame Relay test setup? Like as a server to setup routes or something?

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In advance, thanks for your replies. So about the assembly, I can ask you guys once i get this stuff through the mail. And could you please comment as to, if Im doing good or if anything bad in my prelimary stage in the process to becoming a CCNA.

Netstudent

hmm lets see here...

Well you have a 4port serial module. That means you can turn that 2610 into a frame-switch and have 4 DTE's. IMO, this is the best way because you can practice all the frame-relay topologies. Hub-n-spoke, partial-mesh,full-mesh. Yes I'm pretty sure that 2524 can act as a DTE. As long as it has frame-relay encapsulation.

As far as a majority of work being done on the switch, I wouldn't say so. Not enough to need more memory just for frame-switching in a homelab. I have 32MB of DRAM and my 2610 and it can handle everything i'v ran on it thus far. If you are looking fwd to CCNP, you may want to save some money for memory upgrades for newer IOS's.

YOu may need 5 or 6 DTE/DCE crossover cables. I got the little short ones because my routers are stacked of course.

Console cables- You only really need 1. Unless you have a PC and a laptop w/ a com port or something. Then you could configure 2 devices without having to move the console cable, but that isn't really necesary. I like to keep one for homeuse and one I carry around with me.

A PC with different NICs would be cool for some VMware labs. You could run some virtual servers in your lab.

szkizzer

Thank you netstudent,

As always, you show me the light at the end of the tunnel, once again.

Thank you.

mikej412

szkizzer wrote:

Cisco 2505 16D/16F (my personal favorite) - with 8 ethernet ports, I can use this as my home router/firewall tester/w/e/

It's just 1 Ethernet port and a built in Hub.