Starting CCNA

djadragon

Hello there,

I planning to take exam within one month from now. Since, 640-801 will be gone on Nov. 6th 2007. Look like I'm going for 640-802 exam . Anyway, I just pick up the books which is

CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate Study Guide 6th edition (640-802) by Todd Lammle.

CCNA Portable Command Guide 2nd Edition by Scott Emposon

I hope this books will help understand and pass the exam. Anyway, some most of you guys back off SIM stuff. I was thinking its cheaper and easy, so which meaning I want to get a real Cisco Router and Switching.

I need ur help wit this router and switch stuff. I found this website which is http://www.ciscokits.com

I may going for this stuff
http://www.ciscokits.com/cube/ccna-router-switch-kits/dual-cisco-2501/2513-dual-1912-switch-kit/prod_87.html

What you guy think?? any hint?

Thank!

dtlokee

The 1912 is not going to be of any use for the 640-802 exam, the routers are ok, but you can find them for less than $50 on Ebay (the 2501 is sufficient) and the various cables should only cost around $20-30 for what you need. As far as routing goes you can also look into dynamips (dynagen) as well to simulate a router. For a switch you really want a 2950 for the new exam but can get by wth some of the 2924xl models, but it is hit and miss because there are different versions which are completely useless for the exams. You really want 2 switches as spanning tree isn't a whole lot of fun with one switch.

djadragon

dtlokee wrote:

The 1912 is not going to be of any use for the 640-802 exam, the routers are ok, but you can find them for less than $50 on Ebay (the 2501 is sufficient) and the various cables should only cost around $20-30 for what you need. As far as routing goes you can also look into dynamips (dynagen) as well to simulate a router. For a switch you really want a 2950 for the new exam but can get by wth some of the 2924xl models, but it is hit and miss because there are different versions which are completely useless for the exams. You really want 2 switches as spanning tree isn't a whole lot of fun with one switch.

Or can u help with Cisco suggestion in http://www.ciscokits.com/cube/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=2

One pick which will fit in 640-802 and also tell me pro and con will be nice too



Thank for quick reply!

djadragon

bump!

Netstudent

You will probably have a hard time getting people to do your research for you. In general, you can get old/used gear off of ebay for a better price than cisco kits. There are even people on this board who may be willing to sell off some gear for a fair price. I'm not trying to putdown ciscokits, but they sell overpriced obsolete equipment. Ya it seems like a good idea at first because it is a "kit" type of seller, but you can get more for less by being patient and keeping your eyes open on ebay. 3 2500's and a couple 2924's are about the cheapest yet adequate setup and can be had for around $230, not including shipping. 2500's are not modular so they aren't as scalable as a 2600 or the like. Whatever routers you get, make sure you get a router than can facilitate inter-vlan routing.

redgren

I've picked up a few of the 2600 series routers because I can add functionality to them by adding wic's and network modules. If I decide to get a 3600 series then I can use the wics and network modules there too.

You really have to stay away from the 1900 switches, they are cheap for a reason. Unfortunatley the 2950's available on ebay get bid up pretty high. You have to do your own research and figure out what you need and then make sure you're getting what you expect. You have to be really careful about model numbers and letters, if you aren't sure look it up on cisco.com.

I suggest you spend some time reading the book you have and see what kind of equiptment it mentions and what is used in the examples. Then start looking for inexpensive equiptment to fill out your requirements. I'm not sure where you live, but I see some cheap stuff on Craigslist from time to time as well as on ebay.

Good luck.

djadragon

Netstudent wrote:

You will probably have a hard time getting people to do your research for you. In general, you can get old/used gear off of ebay for a better price than cisco kits. There are even people on this board who may be willing to sell off some gear for a fair price. I'm not trying to putdown ciscokits, but they sell overpriced obsolete equipment. Ya it seems like a good idea at first because it is a "kit" type of seller, but you can get more for less by being patient and keeping your eyes open on ebay. 3 2500's and a couple 2924's are about the cheapest yet adequate setup and can be had for around $230, not including shipping. 2500's are not modular so they aren't as scalable as a 2600 or the like. Whatever routers you get, make sure you get a router than can facilitate inter-vlan routing.

Thank you for ur reply. I will keep my eye on ebay.

djadragon

redgren wrote:

I've picked up a few of the 2600 series routers because I can add functionality to them by adding wic's and network modules. If I decide to get a 3600 series then I can use the wics and network modules there too.

You really have to stay away from the 1900 switches, they are cheap for a reason. Unfortunatley the 2950's available on ebay get bid up pretty high. You have to do your own research and figure out what you need and then make sure you're getting what you expect. You have to be really careful about model numbers and letters, if you aren't sure look it up on cisco.com.

I suggest you spend some time reading the book you have and see what kind of equiptment it mentions and what is used in the examples. Then start looking for inexpensive equiptment to fill out your requirements. I'm not sure where you live, but I see some cheap stuff on Craigslist from time to time as well as on ebay.

Good luck.

HA craiglist. I forgot about that. I'm sure there many stuff out there since I'm in DC. Thanks!

Crunchyhippo

Netstudent wrote:

You will probably have a hard time getting people to do your research for you. In general, you can get old/used gear off of ebay for a better price than cisco kits. There are even people on this board who may be willing to sell off some gear for a fair price. I'm not trying to putdown ciscokits, but they sell overpriced obsolete equipment. Ya it seems like a good idea at first because it is a "kit" type of seller, but you can get more for less by being patient and keeping your eyes open on ebay. 3 2500's and a couple 2924's are about the cheapest yet adequate setup and can be had for around $230, not including shipping. 2500's are not modular so they aren't as scalable as a 2600 or the like. Whatever routers you get, make sure you get a router than can facilitate inter-vlan routing.

Be sure in getting those 2924s off ebay that you get an IOS that supports encapsulation. Mine doesn't and it can't be upgraded, so I'm resigned to selling them and getting different switches.