Cables for a Lab

videguy

I read many threads here and elsewhere for advice on putting a lab together for my CCNA. Here is what I have so far

2650XM
2950T - Enhanced Image
3550 - w/ EMI
2621 w/ 1 WIC-1T
2610xm
2509 console server
1 Octal cable to connect it
1 WIC - 2T
NM - 4A/S

I am planning to get 1 more 2950T, and I think that will give me all the hardware I need or did I miss something?
I have read I should have serial cards for all the routers, should I go with what I have or get another WIC-2T?
What cables will I need to connect it all up?

ZeroHunter

videguy wrote: »

I read many threads here and elsewhere for advice on putting a lab together for my CCNA. Here is what I have so far

2650XM
2950T - Enhanced Image
3550 - w/ EMI
2621 w/ 1 WIC-1T
2610xm
2509 console server
1 Octal cable to connect it
1 WIC - 2T
NM - 4A/S

I am planning to get 1 more 2950T, and I think that will give me all the hardware I need or did I miss something?
I have read I should have serial cards for all the routers, should I go with what I have or get another WIC-2T?
What cables will I need to connect it all up?

I am not sure why no one answered your question here; as really this board is usually good for getting a fast accurate answer, so I am going to take a shot at this one, someone correct me if I am wrong.

You will need a WIC-1T to WIC-2T Crossover cable



Same thing to go from your NM-4A/S to the WIC-2T but not to the 2621 you have with the WIC-1T that would be a WIC-1T to WIC-1T Crossover cable.

I personally stayed away from the WIC-1T (not that there is anything wrong with them) because the cable cost more, the WIC-2T and the WIC-2A/S cables are cheap and easier to work with. But you have that nice NM-4A/S so you better start looking for cable to match that.

ehnde

You need console cables for your equipment. Not sure if what you are buying/have bought came with them or not. They're DB9 to RJ45 connectors. They look like this: Amazon.com: Cisco Console Cable RJ45-to-DB9: Electronics

I'd buy them on ebay, though. They're like $2 on ebay.

chmorin

ehnde wrote: »

You need console cables for your equipment. Not sure if what you are buying/have bought came with them or not. They're DB9 to RJ45 connectors. They look like this: Amazon.com: Cisco Console Cable RJ45-to-DB9: Electronics

I'd buy them on ebay, though. They're like $2 on ebay.

He has a console server and an octal cable; so no need for more than one console cable, and thats just to have lying around.

ehnde

chmorin wrote: »

He has a console server and an octal cable; so no need for more than one console cable, and thats just to have lying around.

My bad, failed to grasp the purpose of octal cables. Learned something new!

videguy

Thanks for your help. Now I have another question. Would it be better to get WIC-2t cards for all 3 routers and 2 for one of them to be able to do frame relay, or just get one more WIC-2T card for the one router that needs one. I would rather do the lab correctly even it means replacing some equipment.
I just bought a couple of old Dell servers, a 2850 and 750 to use for part of the lab. I can not believe how cheap they are now.

alan2308

videguy wrote: »

Thanks for your help. Now I have another question. Would it be better to get WIC-2t cards for all 3 routers and 2 for one of them to be able to do frame relay, or just get one more WIC-2T card for the one router that needs one. I would rather do the lab correctly even it means replacing some equipment.
I just bought a couple of old Dell servers, a 2850 and 750 to use for part of the lab. I can not believe how cheap they are now.

Another WIC-1t or WIC-2t should be good.

If you already have a NM-4A/S for one of the routers then that one should have enough ports to act as a frame relay switch. You want at least 4 ports on the router that's going to act as your frame relay switch, and at least 2 ports on every other router.

videguy

I am planning to use the 2621 as the frame relay switch. Does it make a difference which one I use?
Thanks to everyone for their help with my questions. Getting equipment is an education in itself.

ZeroHunter

videguy wrote: »

Now I have another question. Would it be better to get WIC-2t cards for all 3 routers and 2 for one of them to be able to do frame relay, or just get one more WIC-2T card for the one router that needs one. I would rather do the lab correctly even it means replacing some equipment.

Thats what I did, I have all WIC-2A/S in my Routers, (the 2T is better, but some of the units I bought already had 2A/S).

So in my opinion (and you know what they say about those) I would do one of two things;

Possibility #1 - **** the NM-4A/S and the WIC-1T, and with that money buy at least 3 more WIC-2Ts, and then just a bunch of Smart Serial Cable(s). This will give you 4 Smart Serial ports on one Router and two serial ports on each of the other 2.



Or

Possibility #2 - **** the WIC-1T, and get 2 more WIC-2T's and several (at least 4) DB60 to SS cables.




I think in the end your cost will be about the same Option #1 you save on the cable, option #2, less work in getting parts but cables cost MORE.

I personally set mine up with all Smart Serial Cables for ease of use and price.

Click image to see Routers w/ WIC-2A/S

I have changed a couple things in the rack, and will have new photos soon, but you get the idea. c0op3r.com

alan2308

videguy wrote: »

I am planning to use the 2621 as the frame relay switch. Does it make a difference which one I use?
Thanks to everyone for their help with my questions. Getting equipment is an education in itself.

It probably doesn't matter, but I would use the 2621 also since it's the oldest one. The 2600XM's can do more so I'd keep them as the routers in the topology.