BCMSN Lab portiflio !!!

CCIE_2011

Hi every one ... Did any one tried BCMSN Lab Portfolio!!!
How good is it? and what are the lab equipments required ?
And please can you compare it with the older book ... Practical studies : switching

I'm planning to buy this book .... but i wanna get some feed back from you guys ?

LOkrasa

I got it several days ago and while its not nearly as thick as the BSCI (571 vs 215 pages) it does seem to cover all the topics. Chapter breakdown is as follows:

Chp1 - Network Requirements
Chp2 - Defining VLANS
Chp3 - Implementing Spanning Tree
Chp4 - Implementing Inter-VLAN Routing
Chp5 - Implementing High Avail in a Campus Environment
Chp6 - Wireless LANS
Chp7 - Configuring Campus Switches to Support Voice
Chp8 - Minimizing Service Loss and Data Theft in a Campus Network
Chp9 - Case Studies

The one thing that I did notice vs the BSCI was that the lab requirements for this book are a little hefty. For the BSCI guide you can get away with spending roughly $800 for a lab that will suffice for the entire book where as for the BCMSN it is a little bit more demanding. The intro states it needs 2-3560s and 2-2960s which in total can rup you up to several thousand $... I think once I get my BSCI out of the way I will be forced to use Dynamips to do the rest.

networker050184

I think once I get my BSCI out of the way I will be forced to use Dynamips to do the rest.

I wouldn't use Dynamips for BCMSN.

LOkrasa

networker050184 wrote:

I think once I get my BSCI out of the way I will be forced to use Dynamips to do the rest.

I wouldn't use Dynamips for BCMSN.

Any reason why?

bmauro

From what I have heard is that Dynamips does not handle switches very well especially STP. I haven't tired myself, but I have seen that stated several times.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that when I get closer to the BCMSN that I will be able to borrow some of the $$$$ switches.

LOkrasa

Well that sucks... I guess I will have to get some of the 8 port 3560s just for labs.

CCIE_2011

Dynamips doesn't emulate switches .... only routers

for BCMSN you'll need switches to practice.

networker050184

LOkrasa wrote:

networker050184 wrote:

I think once I get my BSCI out of the way I will be forced to use Dynamips to do the rest.

I wouldn't use Dynamips for BCMSN.

Any reason why?

Dynamips does not emulate switches. You can run an etherswitch module, but its not the same. And like bmauro stated there are bugs.

LOkrasa

networker050184 wrote:

LOkrasa wrote:

networker050184 wrote:

I think once I get my BSCI out of the way I will be forced to use Dynamips to do the rest.

I wouldn't use Dynamips for BCMSN.

Any reason why?

Dynamips does not emulate switches. You can run an etherswitch module, but its not the same. And like bmauro stated there are bugs.

Man I had no idea... that really sucks! Oh well I am always looking for reasons to blow $ on equipment so I guess now I got plenty... lol

CCIE_2011

Dynamips doesn't emulate switches .... only routers

for BCMSN you'll need switches to practice.

islamet

Please check link below:
http://ccie-in-3-months.blogspot.com/search/label/dynamips

Netwurk

3550's with EMI image should be OK for most labs and are a lot cheaper than 3560's