Hi new noob ccna wannabe need help please...

in CCNA & CCENT
Hi guys, please forgive my noobness.. I am currently in my final year in uni and doing networking modules which are covering CCNA stuff so i thoguht it'll be a good idea to buy some kit before knowing anything and then practice and self study at home.... anyway this is the first time ive been in contact with Cisco equipments etc... i mean i knw my IT like programming etc but not much experience with networking and i want to learn as much as possible....
anyway basically i bought
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CISCO-CCNA-Intro-Router-Switch-Lab-2500-2501-2924_W0QQitemZ250307942350QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item250307942350&_trkparms=72:1345|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
but i need some help plugging it all together?? this is what i have at my table now..

if you can tell me where to plug where etc ill appreciate it
also can someone just tell me roughly what is the first few things i can try out once its all connected and running?
many thanks...
anyway basically i bought
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CISCO-CCNA-Intro-Router-Switch-Lab-2500-2501-2924_W0QQitemZ250307942350QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item250307942350&_trkparms=72:1345|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
but i need some help plugging it all together?? this is what i have at my table now..
if you can tell me where to plug where etc ill appreciate it
also can someone just tell me roughly what is the first few things i can try out once its all connected and running?
many thanks...
Comments
I recommend reading up on the following:
http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/24916
This is setup by Wendell Odom, also a great author of Cisco material. He has a CCNA Cisco Press book that some people on these forums like. It is good to have multiple sources of study material, so you may want to read both books mentioned.
To connect the routers to each other you can use a serial cable.
You should check out the FAQ and do a little research into what all you will need. It won't teach you much if we just spoon feed it all to you
http://www.ciscokits.com/cisco-dce-dte-cable/
this for ethernet
http://www.ciscokits.com/cisco-transceiver/
this for console
http://www.ciscokits.com/cisco-console-cable/
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2 x Ethernet transceivers
1 x serial DB60-DB60 crossover cables
2 x cat 5E straight-through cables
2 x cat 5E crossover cables
1 x RJ45 / DB9 console cables
but the seller left the transceivers , but he is sending them to shud get them within a few days..
i just need some guidance on where to plug each cable...
Serial 0 (top router) into Serial 1 (bottom router) using the back to back cable right?
So you recommend me buying the book Sybex? any other books because i am complete noob but willing to learn.. I need a book which teaches from scratch to advanced.... thanks..
That would get you started, but you'll need to hit the books and read some of the switching section to have some real fun.
Hmmm... I think if your going from complete noob you should start from Network+ then go to CCNA. I found being Network+ helped me understand a lot of the stuff they teach for CCNA. But if you're a fast learner then you can probably get away with reading the Todd Lamelle book.
The reason I say that it might be easier to go network+ is that it eases you into it more, where CCNA tosses you into the deep end.
If you do start with network+ it'll be a long time before you get some real hands on since they teach you the concepts first and it isn't until you get around half way through CCNA, I believe, that they teach you the equipment.
I'm about 1/4 of the way through my CCNA book and I still haven't gotten to the equipment, so I hope that gives you some insight.
hey thanks for the link! helped alot...
Umm yeh because my uni is teaching me already, i just wanted a book which can guide me to use the commands etc ... i mean i knw some networking stuff like MAC address, subnetting etc etc but just dont knw how to configure the router at all so was looking for a decent book which can help a nub like me :P