Cisco n00b IOS, SDM, and kit question
pwjohnston
Member Posts: 441
in CCNA & CCENT
Ok with any luck I’ll be passing the 70-291 and finishing my MCSA next week. So I’m gearing up to take the CCNA. I’m usually pretty good a spec’ing out new equipment, but with Ciscos range it’s daunting to say the least. I’ve read over the stickys and I’m pretty sure I know the answers, I’m just looking for confirmation here.
So I’m looking at the ccna kits:
http://www.ciscokits.com/ccna-certification-kits/
Particularly this one:
http://www.ciscokits.com/cisco-2501-3640-kit/
If I read correctly the 3640 supports IOS 12.4, SDM, and IPv6 in a 10mb network.
Q1. Is this the cheapest kit I can find that supports 12.4 and SDM? (I would prefer not to spend more than 200 or 300 bucks on this, two words crap economy, but I will go as high as 600 if I can guarantee a good setup that will help me pass.)
Q2. Being a complete Cisco n00b, am I even going to notice the difference between the IOS version (3640 – 12.4 and 2501 - 12.3.24)
Q3. Is the 2501 going to be useful for anything beyond seeing routing table propagation?
Q4. Is this enough for the CCNA or do I really need a third router and if I do what is a cheap 3rd router?
Q5. Or would I be better getting this: http://www.ciscokits.com/dual-3640-router/ and then going out and getting an 2950 switch.
If I have to get a third I think I would be best to get something that supports SDM. CLI is easier for me to learn when I have some sort of visual reference to confirm I did whatever right. In my mind I think I probably need:
3 x 2600XM series routers
1 x 2950
Various cables
And a rack.
Again though with the economy, I really wasn’t ready to spend what I’m assuming with that setup would be around $800 on the cheap side.
So I’m looking at the ccna kits:
http://www.ciscokits.com/ccna-certification-kits/
Particularly this one:
http://www.ciscokits.com/cisco-2501-3640-kit/
If I read correctly the 3640 supports IOS 12.4, SDM, and IPv6 in a 10mb network.
Q1. Is this the cheapest kit I can find that supports 12.4 and SDM? (I would prefer not to spend more than 200 or 300 bucks on this, two words crap economy, but I will go as high as 600 if I can guarantee a good setup that will help me pass.)
Q2. Being a complete Cisco n00b, am I even going to notice the difference between the IOS version (3640 – 12.4 and 2501 - 12.3.24)
Q3. Is the 2501 going to be useful for anything beyond seeing routing table propagation?
Q4. Is this enough for the CCNA or do I really need a third router and if I do what is a cheap 3rd router?
Q5. Or would I be better getting this: http://www.ciscokits.com/dual-3640-router/ and then going out and getting an 2950 switch.
If I have to get a third I think I would be best to get something that supports SDM. CLI is easier for me to learn when I have some sort of visual reference to confirm I did whatever right. In my mind I think I probably need:
3 x 2600XM series routers
1 x 2950
Various cables
And a rack.
Again though with the economy, I really wasn’t ready to spend what I’m assuming with that setup would be around $800 on the cheap side.
Comments
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networker050184
Mod Posts: 11,962 Mod
You can get some 2600xm and 3640 routers off ebay and also 2950s and save a few dollars.
Ciscokits is usually more expensive, but you don't have to wait on auctions on ebay.An expert is a man who has made all the mistakes which can be made.