This is kind of a repost

Greetings:

I just want to know if this is a good lab to get for CCNP/CCNA:S

I am a noob at all of this and I just don't want to get pwned

http://cgi.ebay.com/Cisco-CCNA-CCNP-Lab-2610-2620-2610XM-2620XM-2900-2950_W0QQitemZ280369106578QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCOMP_EN_Routers?hash=item41474d0e92&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A4|39%3A1|72%3A1234|293%3A1|294%3A200

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Bl8ckr0uter

OK this is what I am thinking for my lab (again just to get through the BSCI):

3x 2620
- 12.4 ios
- 3 wics, console cables, eth cables, rackmounds probably pushes the price up to about 165 a piece

- This could be reduced to 2 2620's and a 261X

1 2610
- NM-4, power adaptors pushes the price up to about 65

2 x 2950's
- 12.1 IOS
- power adap
- 90$

EDIT: I also would need a rack but I have seen those go for around 2 bucks which is why I did not list it.

Bring my lap total to about 700-900 easy which again is doable.

Known things I will upgrade/add at some point:
Layer 3 switch (not sure which one yet but it will definately be added)
I am pretty sure about 25XX as term server (esp after reading about it, very cool)
I think I may need 1 or 2 more routers, bring the total to either 4-5. I have read in other forums that this is pretty much the standard
NM-8, obviously if I update the amount of routers, I may update the amount of routers connecting so this maybe needed at some point
Also I may add a few more layer 2 switches

I think I am narrowing in on a resolution now.
BTW I have probably learned more from these forums, ebay, and cisco web about hardware in the last few days than in the last few months. Thanks ALL esp tiersten who is being very patient with an obvious noob.

dtlokee

tiersten wrote: »

Yeah. The aux port is a slow async interface. They're on the router so you can hook up a modem for remote access.

You can also use an Ethernet, serial, token ring or whatever interface you have available to make a compund frame relay switch

Bl8ckr0uter

dtlokee wrote: »

You can also use an Ethernet, serial, token ring or whatever interface you have available to make a compund frame relay switch

Ok. So the interface is not important. How about the router its self? From what the link said, it did not seem to make a difference what router you use, is that true?

tiersten

knwminus wrote: »

Ok. So the interface is not important. How about the router its self? From what the link said, it did not seem to make a difference what router you use, is that true?

You want a router with multiple serial ports.

Bl8ckr0uter

tiersten wrote: »

You want a router with multiple serial ports.

ok. Then I think I will keep my existing thoughts, 2610 with NM-4a/s to startout. Upgrade to the NM-8A/s when I starting adding more hardware, then if I need to, I can just compound if for some reason I need more than that (which I doubt).

Cyanic

You can get 2950 for under 70 all day, and look to spend ~150 on the 3460 with or after the memory and module upgrades.

Bl8ckr0uter

Cyanic wrote: »

You can get 2950 for under 70 all day, and look to spend ~150 on the 3460 with or after the memory and module upgrades.

Yea I have been looking on ebay. I am thinking about 2 2620xm's w/ 12.4 Enterprise and 2 2950's to get me through the CCNA:S. I will add a 2610 with the NM-4A/S or NM-8A/S, some kind of L3 switch and maybe 1 more router for the CCNP. I will need some A/S mods for the 2620xm's but that will be in the future...

Bl8ckr0uter

I have been thinking about this.

R:
1 2511 (FR SWITCH) NM-AS/4 or 8
1 2611s
2 2620s
Wics, cables, etc

2 2950s
1 355X switch
Cables, etc

I think this could get me through NP,DA,DP. Anyone else think so?

tiersten

knwminus wrote: »

1 2511 (FR SWITCH)

A 2511 is a terminal server and not a frame relay switch.

knwminus wrote: »

1 2611s
2 2620s

2600 or 2600XM?

knwminus wrote: »

1 355X switch

What is the X? The model number is just 3550 or 3560.

knwminus wrote: »

I think this could get me through NP,DA,DP. Anyone else think so?

Should be fine for CCNP. No clue about the others. Are you trying to rival Mike in number of letters?

Bl8ckr0uter

tiersten wrote: »

A 2511is a terminal server and not a frame relay switch.
/QUOTE]

Sorry I meant the 2610 for the Frame Relay. The 2511 would be a term server. I am so tired.

tiersten wrote: »

2600 or 2600XM?

XM's for the 2620's so I can run 12.4. Non XM for the 2611

tiersten wrote: »

What is the X? The model number is just 3550 or 3560.

I havent decided. Whichever I have the money for..

tiersten wrote: »

Should be fine for CCNP. No clue about the others. Are you trying to rival Mike in number of letters?

Yes. And also you as well I got to have something to aim towards....

In all seriousness I have been doing alot of thinking. I think I am going to purchase the CCNP rack, add a Nokia IP2330 Firewall and go for CCNP, CCSA, possibly CCDA, possibly (but not likely) and CCDP for next year. The CCNP and the CCSA are my primary concerns since that is what we use in our company and everyone must be checkpoint certified to get into net engineering. I am now just trying to choose between the 3 test route and the 4 test route for the CCNP. Any thoughts?

networker050184

I'd suggest the four test route if you do not have very much practical experience to keep things fresh in your mind. That is A LOT of material to try and retain with out an exam in the middle to break it up.

Bl8ckr0uter

networker050184 wrote: »

I'd suggest the four test route if you do not have very much practical experience to keep things fresh in your mind. That is A LOT of material to try and retain with out an exam in the middle to break it up.

about how long per test did you study and how much networking experience did you have?

Cyanic

I would go with the 3550 and save your money. If you decide to go for the IE then you can work that out later. The 3550s seem to be at a really nice price point right now.

networker050184

knwminus wrote: »

about how long per test did you study and how much networking experience did you have?

It took me over a year to finish my CCNP with that time varying between tests. I did the BSCI and BCMSN with about three months study each, but then took a long layoff before taking the ISCW and ONT due to moving, a new job and other personal issues that I just didn't have the time to finish it off.

I had already been working with Cisco gear for about five years before I started on my CCNA. I had been working in a "CCNP level" position for about two years when I started on my certifications.

Bl8ckr0uter

networker050184 wrote: »

It took me over a year to finish my CCNP with that time varying between tests. I did the BSCI and BCMSN with about three months study each, but then took a long layoff before taking the ISCW and ONT due to moving, a new job and other personal issues that I just didn't have the time to finish it off.

I had already been working with Cisco gear for about five years before I started on my CCNA. I had been working in a "CCNP level" position for about two years when I started on my certifications.

interesting. I plan to study about that long for each test, maybe a little less since it will be my primary focus (aside from school) I plan to try to do 100-150 hours of lab time per test, so if I study for 2 months, it will break down to about 50-75 hours a month, 13-19 hours a week, and 2-3 hours a day. It will probably be a little more than that on the weekends. I think that should be enough. What do you think? I would like to get it done within 8 months. I might break in the middle to do CCSA when I get the Nokia firewall.

networker050184

Anything is possible. I would have had mine knocked out in about nine months if I would have been able to keep my schedule. Just remember that the goal should be to really know the material no matter how long it takes, not just to get some letters next to your name.

Bl8ckr0uter

networker050184 wrote: »

Anything is possible. I would have had mine knocked out in about nine months if I would have been able to keep my schedule. Just remember that the goal should be to really know the material no matter how long it takes, not just to get some letters next to your name.

True. I want to KNOW more AND have letters behind my name.

My goals for 2010 are CCNP and CCSA and if possible MCITP:SA, CCDA,CCDP.
Do you know anything about CCSA?

networker050184

knwminus wrote: »

True. I want to KNOW more AND have letters behind my name.

My goals for 2010 are CCNP and CCSA and if possible MCITP:SA, CCDA,CCDP.
Do you know anything about CCSA?

Those are some ambitious goals. Not that they can't be achieved, but you will be pushing some major burn out if you try to keep that pace. You will also be spreading yourself pretty thin trying to retain all that knowledge. I would suggest to concentrate on a single area for certification. You should still try to learn as much as possible, but learning (and retaining) all that at the testing level isn't going to be easy. There is nothing wrong with not having every certification under the sun

I have never touched a Checkpoint device so never had a reason to learn them.

Bl8ckr0uter

networker050184 wrote: »

Those are some ambitious goals. Not that they can't be achieved, but you will be pushing some major burn out if you try to keep that pace. You will also be spreading yourself pretty thin trying to retain all that knowledge. I would suggest to concentrate on a single area for certification. You should still try to learn as much as possible, but learning (and retaining) all that at the testing level isn't going to be easy. There is nothing wrong with not having every certification under the sun

I have never touched a Checkpoint device so never had a reason to learn them.

I agree. Really the CCNP and CCSA are really the Big ones. The DA, DP and MS stuff are really just things that would be cool if I get done. I am not 100% percent sure about the CCSA but I know that alot of NOC's (including my companys) uses Checkpoint and I think that it would be good to learn. I think that the CCNP/CCDA/CCDP might be a better combo because of the few test to get the DP after the NP. MCITP:SA, I might just study server 2008 but not get certified because I don't want to do systems admin work, (at least Windows based admin work

). IDK, I know the CCNP is my main goal and that is that. CCSA and DA/DP are Number 2 goals. MCITP:SA/Linux+and Security+ are number 3 goals. I havent thougtht about anything else.

Bl8ckr0uter

networker050184 wrote: »

I would suggest to concentrate on a single area for certification.

Single area like Networking (cisco, juniper, etc) vs Systems (Microsoft) or did you mean like Networking (cisco, Microsoft, etc) vs Database Admin (SQL, Oracle, mySQL)

networker050184

I meant more to focus on one track as far as certification goes. If you want to do routing and switching then concentrate on that. Microsoft or Cisco certification as a whole is too broad a category to focus on.

This is all my opinion though, and I'm sure there are some here that agree and some that don't. So take it for what its worth, I'm not trying to tell you how it has to be done. Just giving advice.

Bl8ckr0uter

networker050184 wrote: »

I meant more to focus on one track as far as certification goes. If you want to do routing and switching then concentrate on that. Microsoft or Cisco certification as a whole is too broad a category to focus on.

This is all my opinion though, and I'm sure there are some here that agree and some that don't. So take it for what its worth, I'm not trying to tell you how it has to be done. Just giving advice.

I think you are right. I am also having my doubts about doing the MCSA again. I think I may just end up doing CCNA, saving money for the CCNP lab (esp the 3550, can you say $$$$$

) and possibly doing the CCNA:S at the end of the year. I will go for the CCNP, the CCSA, then I am not sure...

On another note, I am going to pick up 2 2950's from a local guy for 140. I think (from looking on ebay) that this is a fair price. I am hoping to get a console cable out of him as well. Anything (besides IOS version) I should check for?

Bl8ckr0uter

Lab plans (I already have 2 2950s 12.1 IOS)

R
1 2610 (FR SWITCH) NM-AS/4 or 8
1 2611s
2 2620s
Wics, cables, etc

S
1 355X switch
Cables, etc

Possibly:
1 25XX (09-11) (Term Server) (maybe)
1 2950 switch

I was wondering if the 1760s routers would be a viable option to get. They have the 12.4 IOS and since I am probably not doing the CCNA:S until much later next year, I won't have to wait about going pass the mainline 12.4 IOS. They would share about 200 dollars off of my total lab price which I could use to get a rack mount server for authentication. Would this be a goof option? Also does anyone have any good sites for router racks?