Opinion on 2650 vs a 2620XM

cmccul002

I am considering between the two. I currently have a 3640, 2520 and a 2650 with a 2950 switch. I'm getting 2 more 2950's over the next month or two, and I wanted to get another router.

I wanted to get some opinions on the two, or suggestions on something else even.


Thanks.

jbaello

Based on what I'm hearing is that if you get the 2600XM series with the correct memory you can run 12.4 T IOS and be good for both CCNP and CCIE lab as well, I got 2 2611XM myself for 160 fully loaded memory/wic/isdn/ears/back2back cable. Just my 2 cents man, I'm a lil noob myself I haven't even gotten my 50 cents :P let's wait what the hardcore cisco addicts says...

jbaello

2611XM, 2621XM and 2651XM are the same banana they just have a faster processor, in a lab environment you can do the 2611XM cause it's not going to be a production...

mikej412

There have been a couple eBay seller almost giving away (<$100 including the shipping) 2650s maxed out with 128/32.

The 2620XM came standard with 128/32 but can be upgraded to 256/48 (pre-2004 versions may need a boot rom upgrade to handle the 256) -- so if you're thinking of doing the CCVP (and CCNA:Voice) then you'd want the extra flash to load the CME files & GUI.

There have been some deals for $100 2620XM -- so it may be worth shopping for a while to get the upgradability.

And since people seem to forget about the 2650 and 2650XM, you may want to see what deals are out there. I got my 2650XM ( 256/48 ) for $150 last year and I see some now going for about $125. Those came standard with 256/32.

You'll pay extra for the dual LAN models.

jbaello

mikej412 wrote: »

There have been a couple eBay seller almost giving away (<$100 including the shipping) 2650s maxed out with 128/32.

The 2620XM came standard with 128/32 but can be upgraded to 256/48 (pre-2004 versions may need a boot rom upgrade to handle the 256) -- so if you're thinking of doing the CCVP (and CCNA:Voice) then you'd want the extra flash to load the CME files & GUI.

There have been some deals for $100 2620XM -- so it may be worth shopping for a while to get the upgradability.

And since people seem to forget about the 2650 and 2650XM, you may want to see what deals are out there. I got my 2650XM ( 256/48 ) for $150 last year and I see some now going for about $125. Those came standard with 256/32.

You'll pay extra for the dual LAN models.

So Mike what is the benefit of having a full memory on 2600XM? Looks like you've gotten away with some sweet deals

cmccul002

Well, with what equipment I have now plus the other 2 switches I'm getting, what would you get?

mgeorge

Let's see, the 2650 supports 32MB 5.5v flash, 128MB 3.3v EDO Fast Page Memory, does not support SDM 2.5, also I'm thinking it does not support call manager express as well but unsure about this, if you were to run 12.4 voice or greater on a 2650 it probably would run cme but stability may be an issue.

2650XM has 16MB integrated 3.3v flash with the option of adding 32MB 3.3v 80PIN SIMM flash totaling 48MB flash. The 2650XM has a synchronous memory bus and uses 125Mhz SDRAM, supporting 2x64MB 100 pin SIMM's totaling 128MB RAM, if the router has 12.2(8r) BOOTROM then the router will support 2x128MB 100pin 125mhz DIMM's equaling 256MB RAM but in order to utilize more then 128MB ram you need to use 12.3(11)T or later.

Both routers have an 80Mhz Motorola MIPS
2650 is rated at 37Kpps
2650xm is rated at 40Kpps

Ultimately both routers make great lab routers. I made this a while back, check it out;
http://www.lextrain.com/documents/models.htm

tiersten

mgeorge wrote: »

Both routers have an 80Mhz Motorola MIPS
2650 is rated at 37Kpps
2650xm is rated at 40Kpps

cmccul002 is comparing a 2650 and a 2620XM. The 2620XM is only 50MHz and can do 30K PPS. Not that you'll be straining either of them in a lab.

mgeorge

The only major advantage the 265x XM series has over any other 2600 (excluding the 2691) is that it can do MPLS running 12.3 Adv Enterprise.

Other then that, I would suggest you to stick with the 2610XM & 2611XM's for lab use.

mikej412

You have to prioritize what most important to you -- price? functionality? expandability? And then you have to take into account the availability.

There have been quantities of Buy It Now 2650 routers available on eBay.

But for about $20-30 more some 2650XM routers have been on eBay. I've also seen a couple 2610XM and 2620XM for about the same price as the 2650XM.

If absolute lowest cost is your #1 goal, then the 2650 is an easy choice.

Otherwise, if you are looking for "bang for the buck" and are willing to shop for a bit on ebay, then I'd target in this order 2650XM 2620XM 2610XM and keep the 2650 as the fallback option.

I use my 2650XM as a CallManager Express and Unity Express (with AIM-CUE) in my voice lab.

kalebksp

I would go for an XM if you can afford it. I use a couple non-XMs and they do a lot of things just fine, but not having some of the 12.4 features is frustrating many times, on the other hand my 2610XM supports everything I've wanted to do so far.

jbaello

Wouldn't it be better to have 2 faethernet ports? 2611XM

mikej412

jbaello wrote: »

Wouldn't it be better to have 2 faethernet ports? 2611XM

Sure -- if you really really really want that extra Ethernet Port and are willing to pay for it.

2610XM going for $99 Buy it now with free shipping vs 2611XM for $165 Buy it now with free shipping.

In a CCIE Lab you'd want a couple of routers with the dual LAN interfaces to match some of the 3rd Party Vendor CCIE Lab Workbooks. The only lab router I use on a regular basis with 2 LAN connections is the router that connects my Cisco Lab to my home network.

kalebksp

mikej412 wrote: »

Sure -- if you really really really want that extra Ethernet Port and are willing to pay for it.

2610XM going for $99 Buy it now with free shipping vs 2611XM for $165 Buy it now with free shipping.

In a CCIE Lab you'd want a couple of routers with the dual LAN interfaces to match some of the 3rd Party Vendor CCIE Lab Workbooks. The only lab router I use on a regular basis with 2 LAN connections is the router that connects my Cisco Lab to my home network.

I'm not home so I can't try this out, but couldn't you setup a router on a stick and virtually have two LAN interfaces using separate VLANs? I'm not saying it wouldn't be more difficult, but it seems like it should be possible.

BADfish10

I have been lucky enough to get a 2651XM for my lab and have found the second onboard FE very useful!
The capacity to take 12.4 is also good to but depending what you are after not really that essential.
this may change when i finish CCNA and start CCNP

J