The cost of equipment

Crunchyhippo

Would anyone know how the cost of equipment would be different between what one would need for a CCNP vs. a CCVP? It seems like if one were moving up from CCNA to CCNP, one would need more routers and switches, obviously, and different models; but with CCVP one needs equipment so much different from what's needed for the CCNA, that a person would be looking at - I think - much greater costs. But I don't know, which is why I'm asking. Would someone have any input on this? The VoIP equipment additions seems like they would be far more money out the pocket than, say, what one would need to pass the CCNP. I've only got so much money to create a home lab with.

dtlokee

The answer as always is goint to be "it depends". While the gear for a core CCNP lab is pretty inexpensive, you can spend a lot of money on higher end switches to practice things like Private VLANs and other technologies that aren't supported on the 3550. You can buid a voice lab with couple routers, a switch and a callmanager server which most people build on VMWare or virtual PC.

Crunchyhippo

dtlokee wrote:

The answer as always is goint to be "it depends". While the gear for a core CCNP lab is pretty inexpensive, you can spend a lot of money on higher end switches to practice things like Private VLANs and other technologies that aren't supported on the 3550. You can buid a voice lab with couple routers, a switch and a callmanager server which most people build on VMWare or virtual PC.

In addition to the above, I understand I would also need voice modules to add to the routers, a possible new power supply to handle the overload(?), and IP/analog phones, since it's what I'm studying now, anyway.

One professor in my class told me one day that the voice-enabled router I was working on at the moment was a $22,000 router?! Are you kidding me? And it was a Cisco 2800, nothing special that I saw; only that it had a few extra modules and an upgraded power supply. I really need to know, if possible, that I won't be borrowing against my house in order to assemble a workable lab to get me through CCNP or CCVP.

dtlokee

Yeah DO NOT borrow money against your house to peruse this stuff. All the equipment will depreciate in value quickly. As far as the 22,000 2811, I will need to call BS on that. I pay 1/5 of that with all the voice parts and I don't even have the best discounts.

I would say the ideal router for voice will be the 2600xm series because you can put the latest versions of CME on them, but CME is not on the CCVP at the moment so any old 2600 should do. You will need the NM-2V or NM-1V voice module with FXS and FXO interfaces to connect to your analog phones and to simulate connections to the PSTN. You will want at least 2 routers with a T-1 interface for trunk configurations. These can be 2600's with the NM-HDV and a MFT card or the MC3810v3 can also work here (and are very inexpensive). Another router to look at will be the VG200. There are lots of options.

I have all 2811's in the lab so I am not as familiar with all the other gear you can use, maybe Mike will chime in here he has a better understanding on it that I do.

qplayed

lol 22k?
you should see my lab
http://phatpipe.5sick2.net/cisco/IMG_0068a.jpg

built for CCNP and CCIE
eBay is your friend, I also have a local guy I work with if you are pursuing
on building your own lab like I have. AND dtlokee is right you don't need
to take out a loan for any of these these equipment, buy them used! eBay
and craigslist are your best bet.

networker050184

Just save up for a while. I never realized how much money I wasted on going out to eat and stooping at the store for little things here and there. Once I stopped and started saving my savings account sky rocketed! Just something to think about besides borrowing against your house.

qplayed

I agree, save your money...I sold one of my cars to pay for some of the lab equipment....
note: i said one of my cars
and part was from my savings

and as far as getting a loan? you don't have to, try looking at local colleges
some offer CCNP course and free access to the lab. You don't have to go broke
just to do labs, try dynamips/dynagen.....google is your friend

Crunchyhippo

networker050184 wrote:

Just save up for a while. I never realized how much money I wasted on going out to eat and stooping at the store for little things here and there. Once I stopped and started saving my savings account sky rocketed! Just something to think about besides borrowing against your house.

Actually, we got a fat income tax check back this year ($3700), I got an unexpected bonus check at work ($550), and we should get $1200-$1500 back from the Bush tax-thing soon. Not that I want to spend it all on lab equipment, but if I'm going to put a home lab together - now is the time.

jbaello

I'm buying a 47" 1080p with the bush tax thingy...

spike_tomahawk

I'm buying a 47" 1080p with the bush tax thingy...

ditto

kryolla

I am buying I.E COD with my bush tax thingy. I dont know whats wrong with me