Is this router OK for a CCNA lab?

ConstantlyLearning

I'm thinking of buying two of these routers. Would they be suitable for use in a CCNA lab?

I'm assuming since they're 2600 series and the IOS is ver. 12.4 that they're perfect but I have no experience so want to make sure.

Also, most 2610 routers on ebay have IOS ver. 12.3. Is that alright t use or do you NEED ver. 12.4 for the new exam?


Both of them are Cisco 2600 series (2611XM) running C2600 Software (C2600-ADVSECURITYK9-M), Version 12.4(11)T1, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc5).

RTR02>sh ver
Cisco IOS Software, C2600 Software (C2600-ADVSECURITYK9-M), Version 12.4(11)T1, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc5)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2007 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Thu 25-Jan-07 11:55 by prod_rel_team

ROM: System Bootstrap, Version 12.2(8r) [cmong 8r], RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)

RTR02 uptime is 1 minute
System returned to ROM by power-on
System image file is "flash:c2600-advsecurityk9-mz.124-11.T1.bin"


This product contains cryptographic features and is subject to United
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Cisco 2611XM (MPC860P) processor (revision 3.0) with 94381K/3923K bytes of memory.
Processor board ID JAE0815BMPP
M860 processor: part number 5, mask 2
1 Ethernet interface
2 FastEthernet interfaces
1 Serial interface
32K bytes of NVRAM.
32768K bytes of processor board System flash (Read/Write)

Configuration register is 0x2102




Thanks a million,

Eoghan.

networker050184

Looks good, should be good to go. You don't need the 12.4 IOS, 12.3 would be sufficient.

ConstantlyLearning

Cheers networker.

The cost for the two of them is 300 euro which equates to 440 USD.

Is that ridiculously overpriced?

jabb000

That is good to go...............

freetech

Those two routers would be good for the CCNA.
The price is about right for . If you wait and are careful, you could probably beat the price but not by much.
The 12.4 is specified by Cisco, so these are perfect in that respect.
12.3 is okay on a budget, but it will not have all the functionality of the 12.4.
I say go for it.

networker050184

The price is not too bad. You could always buy cheaper routers though the xm are good for SDM. You could use 2500 or 2600 routers just as easy. You could even use some 1700 routers. I was just looking on ebay and saw some 1720s pretty cheap. Upgrade them to 12.4 and you are set!

freetech

Hey networker050184,
I'm not sure how familiar you are with IOS 12.4, but it's not that simple. You can get a maxed out, boot-rom-upgraded 2600 to run 12.4 (IF you load the IOS from a TFTP server or by xmodem), but it will not run on a 2500 or, i believe, a 1700. The memory requirements are too high.
I agree that you can do most of the prep for the 802 with a 2500, 1700, or a 2600. But they won't run IOS 12.4.

networker050184

I'm very fammiliar with IOS version 12.4. You do not NEED 12.4 for CCNA, or CCNP which was the question. I have 12.4 but have not upgraded my lab and have not run into anything that has not worked on 12.3.

Also you can run 12.4 on 1700 routers. I don't beelieve you are familliar with the feature sets of 12.3 vs 12.4.

mikej412

For study there is still lots of life in the retired old routers like the 2500 and 2600s...... but the XM versions of the 2600 are good because you wouldn't have to worry about some of the study limits the older equipment might impose on you. If you don't mind spending the money, then the price is reasonable

networker050184 wrote:

I was just looking on ebay and saw some 1720s pretty cheap.

Just remember that the 1720s don't trunk And a lot of times they are sold without the power supply (they use the external bricks), so take that into account.

The 1721s and 1750s are also sweet clunky desktop routers that are good for a home lab. The 1760 version is a standard 19" rack mountable form factor.

freetech

networker050184,
I accept the correction on 1700 routers. They will run 12.4. My bad.
You don't NEED 12.4, but the 640-802 was written with 12.4 as the standard. That doesn't mean that 12.3 won't work, but not all the features will be available.

ConstantlyLearning

Cheers for all the help guys. I ended up buying the 2 routers.

It seems I got the perfect routers to study for the CCNA so I'm very happy. I'm happy to spend the money once I'm getting something that will work well.

Won't be beginning study for the CCNA until around the middle of Feb but saw this offer and thought I should take it.


Eoghan.

networker050184

They are quite chunky! The 1720's don't trunk, you are right about that, but still great routers for a lab. Especialy if you have one of those 2600xm routers for all your trunking and memory hog features.


What features are needed for the 802 that are not supported by 12.3? I have not seen any, but if you know of any let me know.

dtlokee

networker050184 wrote:

They are quite chunky! The 1720's don't trunk, you are right about that, but still great routers for a lab. Especialy if you have one of those 2600xm routers for all your trunking and memory hog features.


What features are needed for the 802 that are not supported by 12.3? I have not seen any, but if you know of any let me know.

There aren't any (yet!)

yukky

mikej412 wrote:

networker050184 wrote:

I was just looking on ebay and saw some 1720s pretty cheap.

Just remember that the 1720s don't trunk And a lot of times they are sold without the power supply (they use the external bricks), so take that into account.

Not being able to trunk means not being able to do dot1q encapsulation?

networker050184

Yep no dot1q encapsulation. If you need to practice that you will need a router that supports it.

Venture37

from www.cisco.com/go/fn

the 1721 does support (only checked with IOS 12.4):
IEEE 802.1Q ISL VLAN Mapping
IEEE 802.1Q VLAN Support
IEEE 802.1Q VLAN Trunking

networker050184

1721 does support trunking but 1720 does not support trunking.

Venture37

So far I have:
1603R with a WIC-1T installed running IOS 12.3 IP+
1721 with a WIC-1T installed running IOS 12.4 Enterprise Base
2523 which hasn't turned up yet which I will be using as a frame relay switch
2x Catalyst 3548-XL-EN switches (bought them cause they where dead cheap)
1x Catalyst 2950-G-48-EI

a friend has also lent me a 2651 router.
I'm probably going to sell the 2 3548's as I'm looking for another 2950.
so far all the kit above has cost me £300 exactly which is nice.

mgeorge

Wow im surprised on how many people replied to this thread...

Time for one more

Any 2600XM is fine for CCNA and CCNP, and in most cases, CCVP and CCSP.

12.4 is not required for the ccna or ccnp per say, as many of the commands are typically the same as 12.3 (just new features and additions) that of which isnt tested on that much yet.

Although for security or voice, you will definately want to use 12.4

Also to point out a nice to know peice of info

a 2600 with 12.2(8r) Boot room will support 256MB DRAM (133Mhz SDRAM)

any thing lower such as 12.2(7r) will only support 128MB DRAM (2x 64MB 100Pin 133Mhz)

2610 & 11's have 40Mhz motorola risc processor
2620 & 21's have 50Mhz
2650 & 51's have 80Mhz

Also all 2600XM's have 16MB flash onboard. therefore if you have 32mb flash you have only a 16mb flash stick populating the flash slot. 32mb stick gives you 48MB with the onboard included.

A few 2611XM's with 12.3 adv enterprise will cover every topic in the ccna, ccnp

hope this helps