New to the board

Hey everybody,

just a short hello from yet another newbie. My name is Mike, i'm 30 and i'm working in the IT-Field now for 8 years. Started out in Techsupport in Germany, then moved over to do some system administration, a little networking, database stuff, programming. I didn't study anything related to IT, i did not have any certifications. I just hired for a job years ago and worked my way up there. Just one of these careers you just somehow happen to end up in.

Right now i live in Oklahoma City and i am working in Desktop/Printer/Networking support. I had to get some certifications as a job requirement, so as of now i am A+ certified. I eventually want to go back to my favourite job field, becoming a network administrator/engineer. Therefore i am currently working on my CCNA and i also want to get my CCNP done by this summer/fall. I figure with 8 years of experience in the IT-Field and the ccna/ccnp certifications, it shouldn't be tooo hard to get back into that field

I'm currently building my home lab, so i will be able to work and study without having time or (immediate) money restrictions in my mind. I got 2 2501 and 1 2502 router and i probably have 2 2924, 1 2948 and 1 2950 to come soon. By what i figured out, that should be halfway useful to start off with and i can always add stuff on as i move forward. If anyone has any recommendations though, let me know

Well, so much for now. This seems to be a great forum and i'm looking forward to be here

Mike

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Comments

Netstudent

Welcome. You've come to the right place for assistance and inspiration/motivation. Good luck on your endeavor. And remember the only stupid question is the question not asked.

dtlokee

Welcome to the forums!

mikej412

Welcome to the forum!

Look at getting a 2610 (or higher) model router - but the less expensive 10Mb Ethernet versions are fine. That would let you do "router on a stick" (with 12.2 ( 8 )T or greater IOS) -- and with an NM-4A/S it could also be your frame-relay switch.

One other "convenience" would be a terminal server -- something like a 2509 or 2511 -- so that you don't have to keep changing your console cable from router to router. The 2510 or 2512 are cheaper -- but they are Token Ring, not Ethernet.2512.

freetech

My only add is that you sould make sure that your other switches can do vlans, trunking and maybe etherchannel. You'll need two that can do these functions.

kante

Thanks everybody

Yes, i find this forum very helpful so far, just by reading through the threads here. I'm got the Cisco Press Books and i am studying since about 1-2 months. I don't wanna rush through it, also i work 12 hour shifts, so i can't really do a lot on my working days. Anyhow, i came to a point now, where i would like to have a lab available, so i can work on it whenever i have the time.

@mikej412: Ok, i will look for one of these too. One of them should be fine?
@freetech: Uhm... don't the 2950 and the 2924xl-en do vlan and trunking (i probably made a complete idiot out of myself with that question

). I know the 1900s hare not that great, that's why i don't bother for them. Also there are some 2900 who are not very useful, but the two routers i picked should be fine i thought. Any hints?

Thanks, Mike

freetech

Okay, the 2950's will do all that stuff, no doubt.
The 2924 situation is very confusing, because some will, some won't. I've also heard that it depends on the IOS or the flash. I'm sooo confused about it. It seems like every post comes up with some new reason why a 2924xl-en will or will not work. I don't know the answer.
I took the easy road and got two 2950's.
And the 1900's will not help much, as you said.

Netwurk

You'll want at least one 2950, so that you have hands-on to the new commands (especially for VLAN set-up)

If you get any 2900's, look for the ones where the seller gives a show version

Key line you want to look for is "Processor is running Enterprise Edition Software"

Don't pay any more than $40-50 for one. I've seen 2950's go for as low as $80 these days, but I think they still average out at around $125-150.

freetech

That's very helpful, Netwurk, I'll have to remember that.
Thanks!

kante

Now that is some great information. I will keep that in mind, thanks!

I got 2 2924s for 30 dollars each, so that's not to bad i think
[Edit: Ok, add 15 bucks shipping for both, still a fair price i think

]

The 2500s are really cheap as dirt, so even though they should do it for now, i still have enough left to buy a 2610 or so. I'm still looking for a 2950 though.

Mike

Turgon

kante wrote:

Now that is some great information. I will keep that in mind, thanks!

I got 2 2924s for 30 dollars each, so that's not to bad i think. The 2500s are really cheap as dirt, so even though they should do it for now, i still have enough left to buy a 2610 or so. I'm still looking for a 2950 though.

Mike

Good luck with your purchases and many happy hour learning on your lab. Reminds me of when I first started putting mine together back in 2001, those 2500's still have a use.

Mrock4

Welcome to the forums. Be sure to not only use the forums/materials found on the site, but use the other members too. I have sent many PM's to people asking questions about whatever it is I was wondering, and every single one has been more than happy to help.

EdTheLad

You have afew 2500s so for me that is enough to get the feel of the real equipment.As mike said earlier buy a 2509 or 2511 to act as a terminal server, i.e. you can connect all your console ports into it so you dont have to keep jumping from box to box. Spend the rest of your money on switches 2950s,3550s, personally i would bother with anything below 2950.If you have a decent computer install dyamips, this will alow you to emulate additional routers, buy a couple of nic cards for the pc and you can connect it to your routers and switches.

ITdude

Welcome to the forum you are in good company!