Compact lab for CCENT

Hi, I am new to Cisco but starting self study for CCENT then CCNA.

I want to use the actual hardware, not a sim, but am a bit constrained by space at my house.

I was hoping to make quite a compact stack of gear. I was thinking of having 2 2501 routers, a switch, and an old laptop all stacked in a corner somewhere out of the way. Then i can just run an ethernet to my laptop and work from there.

Does this sound feasible?
I presume the second old laptop is needed? i can get an old one from work probably.
How do others manage with space restrictions?

Thanks
Steve

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joey74055

Here is a good link to get you started: CCNA Lab Main Post Summary | NetworkWorld.com Community

petedude

steve_f wrote: »

...I want to use the actual hardware, not a sim, but am a bit constrained by space at my house.

I was hoping to make quite a compact stack of gear. I was thinking of having 2 2501 routers, a switch, and an old laptop all stacked in a corner somewhere out of the way. Then i can just run an ethernet to my laptop and work from there.

. . .I presume the second old laptop is needed? How do others manage with space restrictions?

For CCENT that sounds like an adequate setup. The old laptop would not be a bad idea, but would probably be more useful on CCNA/ICND2 (for ACLs/routing test purposes).

I have a small stack of actual hardware routers I'm using for ICND2, but I'm finding I'm using simulators far more at the moment as they save space and time.

mikej412

The ICND1 exam blueprint has a couple of topics listed that mention SDM.

There is a link in the CCNA FAQ to an SDM document with a table of supported routers. The 1721 router is probably the cheapest router that supports SDM (unless you luck out bidding on eBay and score a sweet deal on a 2600XM).

petedude

mikej412 wrote: »

The ICND1 exam blueprint has a couple of topics listed that mention SDM.

There is a link in the CCNA FAQ to an SDM document with a table of supported routers. The 1721 router is probably the cheapest router that supports SDM (unless you luck out bidding on eBay and score a sweet deal on a 2600XM).

I can agree that those routers would be useful, but here's my two cents on the objectives--

I've been working through CCNA studies since February of this year (actually, before that, but that's a different story). I've read through Lammle, Bryant and other materials as well as passed the CCENT. I can say the only real experience with SDM I've had so far is in reading the Lammle text. Your mileage may vary.