Best Interfaces for Lab Routers?

yanks4everontopyanks4everontop Member Posts: 106
in CCNA & CCENT
WIC-1T Serial vs. WIC-2T Serial? What is better for CCNA/CCNP lab routers? The connections are obvioulsy different so I'm not sure what is more applicable right now. Also is there any other interfaces suggested other than these? Probably going to add them to 2 2620XM routers.
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  • tierstentiersten Member Posts: 4,505
    WIC-2T for obvious reasons if you can deal with the fact it uses Smart Serial connectors.
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  • yanks4everontopyanks4everontop Member Posts: 106
    tiersten wrote: »
    WIC-2T for obvious reasons if you can deal with the fact it uses Smart Serial connectors.


    If I'm going to be using these combined with a 2514 router (probably frame relay) I'm guessing I'll need special cables?
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  • tierstentiersten Member Posts: 4,505
    yanks4everontop wrote: »
    If I'm going to be using these combined with a 2514 router (probably frame relay) I'm guessing I'll need special cables?
    You'll need SS <--> DB60 cables. As you can't swap them around, you need to decide which end will be DTE and which will be DCE when buying the cables.
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  • yanks4everontopyanks4everontop Member Posts: 106
    tiersten wrote: »
    You'll need SS <--> DB60 cables. As you can't swap them around, you need to decide which end will be DTE and which will be DCE when buying the cables.


    Hmmm maybe that's not the way to go then, I want versatility. I'm trying to debate between 2 2620XM's a 1 3640 or 2 3640's and 1 2620XM. This all coupled with a 2514 router which will be my frame relay router. What other interfaces am I looking for other than WIC-1T's for example if that's the route I choose to go.
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  • tierstentiersten Member Posts: 4,505
    yanks4everontop wrote: »
    Hmmm maybe that's not the way to go then, I want versatility. I'm trying to debate between 2 2620XM's a 1 3640 or 2 3640's and 1 2620XM. This all coupled with a 2514 router which will be my frame relay router. What other interfaces am I looking for other than WIC-1T's for example if that's the route I choose to go.
    For CCNA, WIC-1Ts will pretty much be all you need. You can always buy WICs later on anyway.

    Just remember that you can't use the new HWICs in any of the routers you've listed. VICs will require a NM with VIC slots but you won't need that for CCNA.
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  • yanks4everontopyanks4everontop Member Posts: 106
    tiersten wrote: »
    For CCNA, WIC-1Ts will pretty much be all you need. You can always buy WICs later on anyway.

    Just remember that you can't use the new HWICs in any of the routers you've listed. VICs will require a NM with VIC slots but you won't need that for CCNA.

    Yea the WIC-1T's seem like the way to go. I understand I can't use the HWIC's on the 2600's or 3600's but I really can't afford the 2800's or 3800's right now. The following is basically my criteria for building my lab:

    Objective: Build CCNA/CCNP Home Lab
    Budget: $500-$600
    Devices already owned: 2514 Router, 2x2950-24 Switches
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  • mikej412mikej412 Member Posts: 10,086 ■■■■■■■■■■
    Except for one WIC-2T (and 2 SS<-->DB60 back-to-back cables) I stuck with WIC-1T interfaces so that I could just buy a bunch of DB60<-->DB60 cables in various lengths and not have to worry about different cable combinations as I changed my lab setup.

    Plus I was able to win some auctions for $10 WIC-1T interfaces (and auctions for multiple WIC-1T interfaces) -- so they were cheaper than buying the WIC-2T interfaces.
    :mike: Cisco Certifications -- Collect the Entire Set!
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  • yanks4everontopyanks4everontop Member Posts: 106
    Do I really need FaEthernet interfaces on my lab routers? The difference in price between Ethernet and FaEthernet is a lot.

    Trying to figure out what NM's to put in my 3640's.
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  • LBC90805LBC90805 Member Posts: 247
    yanks4everontop wrote: »
    Do I really need FaEthernet interfaces on my lab routers? The difference in price between Ethernet and FaEthernet is a lot.

    Trying to figure out what NM's to put in my 3640's.

    No you don't need FastEthernet Interfaces.... But if you want to run Router on a Stick for VLANs you will need an Fa Interface!
    North Long Beach 90805 Represent
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  • tierstentiersten Member Posts: 4,505
    LBC90805 wrote: »
    No you don't need FastEthernet Interfaces.... But if you want to run Router on a Stick for VLANs you will need an Fa Interface!
    A 2600 will do 802.1q aka router on a stick on the built in ethernet interface with 12.2.2T IP Plus or above.
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  • tech-airmantech-airman Member Posts: 953
    yanks4everontop wrote: »
    WIC-1T Serial vs. WIC-2T Serial? What is better for CCNA/CCNP lab routers? The connections are obvioulsy different so I'm not sure what is more applicable right now. Also is there any other interfaces suggested other than these? Probably going to add them to 2 2620XM routers.

    yanks4everontop,

    Do you currently have in your posession the "...2 2620XM routers?"
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  • yanks4everontopyanks4everontop Member Posts: 106
    tech-airman wrote: »
    yanks4everontop,

    Do you currently have in your posession the "...2 2620XM routers?"


    No I do not. I've decided to go with 2 3640's instead of the 2620XM's.
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