Home lab - which is the best 'set' to cover all the topics

I was browsing on ebay lately and there are some nice cheap lab kits around which claim to be suitable for the exam.

My knowledge about Cisco is really limited to none existend ... I am working for an ISP and apart of building server all I am doing on switches at the moment is configuring ACLs and switchports - but that is pretty much it ...

Basically I have no idea what is required ...

What I found for example are kits like

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CISCO-CCNP-Router-Lab-SDM-ADSL-CCNA-CCIE-2610XM-2950_W0QQitemZ290252272938QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item290252272938&_trkparms=72%3A1121%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1308&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

or

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CISCO-CCNA-CCNP-Router-Switch-SDM-Lab-2610XM-2610-2924_W0QQitemZ290252854123QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item290252854123&_trkparms=72%3A1121%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1308&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

But it would be easier if someone could point me into the right direction WHAT I would need would be great ..

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Comments

bighornsheep

I would go for the less expensive kit and get better switches if you do not get enough exposure from work.

nicklauscombs

are you looking to go further than CCNA?

jibbajabba

nicklauscombs wrote:

are you looking to go further than CCNA?

No, not really ... I am mainly Microsoft / Windows orientated but as I work on our Cisco switches I want to get a better understanding about the whole thing ... I don't even HAVE TO get a CCNA - but it won't hurt either ..

I would even say 100% no further than CCNA

Colleague just said I can save the money and get a sim instead .. thoughts ?

I could use some 3750s here but that obviously doesn't cover even half of the stuff needed ..

networker050184

The 3750s would be great for a lab. You could use Dynamips for the routers especially if you don't plan on going any further. I would still suggest getting your hands on the real stuff eventually to get a feel for the real thing though.

jibbajabba

networker050184 wrote:

The 3750s would be great for a lab. You could use Dynamips for the routers especially if you don't plan on going any further. I would still suggest getting your hands on the real stuff eventually to get a feel for the real thing though.

He, just received a couple of those 10GB stuff :P

What single bits and pieces do you really need ? Could someone maybe make a quick list ?

dtlokee

If you have some 3750's then use them, but don't buy something like that for a lab. Really for the CCNA you only need two or three 2950/2960 and 3 routers like 2611xm's are good. You could use the standard 2611 as well but you can't install SDM on them due to flash storage limitations. Whatever you get make sure you have enough serial interfaces for WAN practice.

networker050184

Like dt said don't buy the 3750s (unless you are rich and have plenty cash to blow). I thought you meant you had some at work to play with.

jibbajabba

networker050184 wrote:

Like dt said don't buy the 3750s (unless you are rich and have plenty cash to blow). I thought you meant you had some at work to play with.

Oh yea - wouldn't buy them myself - that would be mad ....

ITdude

Gomjaba wrote:

I would even say 100% no further than CCNA

How many times have we heard that one before?

networker050184

It's true once people finish the CCNA they have more questions than answers.

scheistermeister

networker050184 wrote:

It's true once people finish the CCNA they have more questions than answers.

It's amazing how much gets thrown out the window from CCNA when you start doing CCNP stuff too. I don't know about the new exam but I remember while I was in the Net Acad when someone would ask a question the instructor would ask, "Do you want the CCNA answer for the CCNP answer?" before answering the question.