Well its a start.... (home lab)

Cessation

Welp... it looks like the tiny lab equipment i was trying to use at work was just taken away... (huh.. they didnt seem to care about it untill i started using it.)
Anyway, last night on ebay I just picked up the following:
CISCO ROUTER 2520
CISCO ROUTER 2501
CISCO ROUTER 2503
CISCO ROUTER 2514
CISCO ROUTER 2516
CISCO SWITCH WS-C1924-EN

They Claim to be all Tested working and has 100% Positive feedback so im hoping everythings good.

All this for 189 shipped. =/ Almost sounds too good to be true.
We shall see.

Netstudent

The routers will be fine but that 1924 will not. It has a different command set than the CCNA test. If you try to learn switching configs on that 1924 and then go to take the test, your gonna be disappointed.

It might be okay to implement BDR and DR elections in OSPF with that switch just to have a broadcast network.

Cessation

Does anyone know where to buy cheap Transceivers by chance?
Thanks!

binarysoul

You got five routers and a switch for $189 shipping included??????

I'm planning to start my own lab. Please let me know where you bought them, so I can buy too.

gabrielbtoledo

I wish I was still in the US. Prices are much cheaper there.

r_durant

gabrielbtoledo wrote:

I wish I was still in the US. Prices are much cheaper there.

Yup, me too...where I am, the price of shipping alone ranges from $50 to $125 US...bummer

Cessation

Netstudent wrote:

The routers will be fine but that 1924 will not. It has a different command set than the CCNA test. If you try to learn switching configs on that 1924 and then go to take the test, your gonna be disappointed.

It might be okay to implement BDR and DR elections in OSPF with that switch just to have a broadcast network.

Will a Cisco Catalyst C3524-XL-EN FastEthernet switch work ok?

r_durant

The 3524 will work and it should also give you a start for CCNP as well...

szkizzer

Fellas, might I remind you, that on ebay you can also pick up good accessories like DTE/DCE Cables, router Modules, Flash/DRAM (max out) as well as router for HELLA CHEAP.

I too assembled my lab over one week. And this is what I got for $330. Shipping Included.

Cisco 2501 - 16 MB Flash/ 16 DRAM - 12.3
Cisco 2501 - { '' '' } - 12.3
Cisco 2501 - { '' '' } - 12.3
Cisco 2505 - { '' '' } - 12.3

Cisco 2524 - 16 MB Flash/ 16 DRAM - 12.3

Cisco 2610 - 16MB Flash/ 64 DRAM - 12.4

Cisco 2524 Switch - Enterprise IOS 12.3

4 Port Asynch/Sync Serial Module (brand spankin new)

5 Brand new DTE/DCE Cables.

1 Cisco Console Kit.

The memory, module, and cables were bought seperately, and its amazing how much good stuff you can get off ebay. It actually makes it fun and worthwile to start studyin for CCNA. And with small modification, I can get it to CCNP level for maybe 900 more, or 1500 for top notch.

SO forget ciscokits - and assemble your own. Not to mention that I sprayed a little cleaning solvent on the routers, and made em look shiny like brand new. Im truly proud of this decision I made.

Cessation

Yeah!
Just picked me up 2 Catalyst C3524-XL-EN FastEthernet switches for 200.
I just hope 100 a piece isnt a bad price.

I just figure that if i can use them for the CCNP which I plan to get after I get my CCNA they are worth it.

keenon

no its not bad at all, the 3500xl will work ok just some of the portchannel configs will be different to configure but will work fine.. currently if your in the market i have a 2509 term server for sale

otherwise upgrade the routers to 12.2(29)+ enterprise as the 12.3 are lacking features on the 2500s . 12.3 has only ip and ip plus by last memory.. also there is obscure version of 12.1 or 12.2 that will support ipv6 routing and ospf v3.. you may want to look at a 2620 (64/16) or a 1700 preferably as it can get some up grades (128/32 and 12.4) for the router on the stick


o, also the vlan config on the 3500xl use the vlan database command so remember that

wait2dominate

Cessation wrote:

Does anyone know where to buy cheap Transceivers by chance?
Thanks!

If you caught me about 3 weeks ago, we had a bunch at work we were throwing out.

I'll see if I can't find anymore today though.

datchcha

Which OSI supports SSH?

dtlokee

datchcha wrote:

Which OSI supports SSH?

OSI = IOS?

If that's the case you are looking for a crypto image, one with k9 in the name.

datchcha

dtlokee wrote:

datchcha wrote:

Which OSI supports SSH?

OSI = IOS?

If that's the case you are looking for a crypto image, one with k9 in the name.

Yes IOS....my mistake. thank you.

Cessation

Quck question about an Access server...
Can I use one of my routers as an access server or must I only use a 2509 or 2511?
CISCO ROUTER 2501
CISCO ROUTER 2503
CISCO ROUTER 2514
CISCO ROUTER 2516

Thanks!

Netwurk

I wanted to chime in about switches

For the new command set, you need a 2950 or 3550

The 2900 and 3500s are cheaper because they use the older commands

Nice lab though

r_durant

Netwurk wrote:

The 2900 and 3500s are cheaper because they use the older commands

Queation about the 3550s...

Are the older commands related to the hardware or the IOS? Can't an up-to-date IOS with the new command set be used? Or is the command set specific to the 3550 chassis?

Cessation

r_durant wrote:

Netwurk wrote:

The 2900 and 3500s are cheaper because they use the older commands

Queation about the 3550s...

Are the older commands related to the hardware or the IOS? Can't an up-to-date IOS with the new command set be used? Or is the command set specific to the 3550 chassis?

Great question! Anyone?

r_durant

Bump...no takers??

networker050184

I'm pretty sure the chasis doesn't matter as long as the current IOS is supported.

keenon

Cessation wrote:

r_durant wrote:

Netwurk wrote:

The 2900 and 3500s are cheaper because they use the older commands

Queation about the 3550s...

Are the older commands related to the hardware or the IOS? Can't an up-to-date IOS with the new command set be used? Or is the command set specific to the 3550 chassis?

Great question! Anyone?

related to both the hardware and software

r_durant

Ok, I'm just trying to get it correct....

It has been said that the 3550 has the older command set, so once a newer command set IOS is supported, one should be able to upgrade the 3550 to meet the "required" command set for CCNA and by extension, the CCNP???

dtlokee

r_durant wrote:

Ok, I'm just trying to get it correct....

It has been said that the 3550 has the older command set, so once a newer command set IOS is supported, one should be able to upgrade the 3550 to meet the "required" command set for CCNA and by extension, the CCNP???

The 3550 is overkill for the CCNA, but could be used for the CCNP. The CCNP is based on the 3560 which has a few features and differences vs the 3550. For example no matter what IOS you put on the 3550 it cannot implement private VLANs, the default mode of the 3560 interface is dynamic auto (as opposed to dynamic desirable), and of course the 3550 does not support IPv6 for ACLs or routing where the 3560 does.

There are other differences but these are some of the bigger ones.

The CCNA requires the 2960 for the new courses, with the ability to implement SSH and other features. The 2950 can be used for most of these, inculding SSH, RSTP, MST and so on if you have the correct IOS.

Cessation

Wow... so it sounds like unless I pass the CCNA before Nov all the hardware I just bought is worthless..

CISCO ROUTER 2520
CISCO ROUTER 2501
CISCO ROUTER 2503
CISCO ROUTER 2514
CISCO ROUTER 2516
CISCO SWITCH WS-C1924-EN (ya, I know it was already out of the question)
2 Catalyst C3524-XL-EN FastEthernet switches

Should I just try to sell it all and get 1 2620 and one 3560 switch?
Or just 2 2620s?

Help me out!

keenon

Cessation wrote:

Wow... so it sounds like unless I pass the CCNA before Nov all the hardware I just bought is worthless..

CISCO ROUTER 2520
CISCO ROUTER 2501
CISCO ROUTER 2503
CISCO ROUTER 2514
CISCO ROUTER 2516
CISCO SWITCH WS-C1924-EN (ya, I know it was already out of the question)
2 Catalyst C3524-XL-EN FastEthernet switches

Should I just try to sell it all and get 1 2620 and one 3560 switch?
Or just 2 2620s?

Help me out!

I think the routers you have are fine but i would suggest a 2620 or a 1700 as i have mentioned ( router on a stick) before and maybe a 2950.. i think at this point your well into the NP routing section. At some point that term server is going to be a good addition after you get the rack together lol

you don't need the latest and greatest to have a good lab just gear that performs the task at hand!

Cessation

I just want to know that my equipment can still be used to pass the CCNA after Nov if needs be.

Mishra

I would still think it is beneficial to continue to work on your equipment in order to learn the whole process. Lots of companies still use 2500-2600s and even though the CCNA may move past it, the knowledge is still valuable.

Cessation

Mishra wrote:

I would still think it is beneficial to continue to work on your equipment in order to learn the whole process. Lots of companies still use 2500-2600s and even though the CCNA may move past it, the knowledge is still valuable.

I completely Agree, and more than willing.
But for myself with limited cash I'd like to use hardware that would help me pass the exam.

r_durant

dtlokee wrote:

r_durant wrote:

Ok, I'm just trying to get it correct....

It has been said that the 3550 has the older command set, so once a newer command set IOS is supported, one should be able to upgrade the 3550 to meet the "required" command set for CCNA and by extension, the CCNP???

The 3550 is overkill for the CCNA, but could be used for the CCNP. The CCNP is based on the 3560 which has a few features and differences vs the 3550. For example no matter what IOS you put on the 3550 it cannot implement private VLANs, the default mode of the 3560 interface is dynamic auto (as opposed to dynamic desirable), and of course the 3550 does not support IPv6 for ACLs or routing where the 3560 does.

There are other differences but these are some of the bigger ones.

The CCNA requires the 2960 for the new courses, with the ability to implement SSH and other features. The 2950 can be used for most of these, inculding SSH, RSTP, MST and so on if you have the correct IOS.

Gotcha...thanks!!