Minimum Amount of Equipment Needed for New CCNP: Voice Exams?

As the title says, could anyone recommend the minimum amount of equipment needed to pass the new CCNP: Voice Exams? I have two 1720 routers along with a 3550 switch from the CCNA: Voice exam. I can also borrow some Cisco phones from work (7940's, 7942's). I'm thinking I could use the 1720's for the branch offices with CME? I would still need a router for a main site and I'm guessing another 3550 switch or two. I'm assuming I could use a computer with VMWare and all the Cisco telephony software the exam tests you for. Would this be enough to get me by?

I'm also assuming the exams will test you on all the cool new features such as SAF/CCD and I believe this requires IOS ver 15 on the routers but I may be wrong though. I could use any suggestions or if you created your own lab for the new exams I would love to read what you've done. I may just say screw it and do rack rentals for this one, depending on the price to purchase what I need.

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GaG

Hi stlsmoore

I don’t think your 1720 will run CME but you can use them as remote Routers in your setup. I would say the minimum will be at least one router that can support CME and Voice Cards (FXO and FXS) and it can take DSP’s (2600MX with NM-V1 or 2, 1751, 1760 or 3825 router). A switch (or two) that you can do QoS config in and a PC/Server running Vmware server or ESXi. Then you will need a PVDM the type and size will depend on what router you will add it too( this is for MTP, Confrence and Xcoding). Then a few phones no less than two and no more than six (This includes IP communicator or IP Blue phones). Type of phone will need to have one that you can configure Phone button template and softkey template for.

This is not a definitive list but I think in my humble opinion this will get you enough hands-on experience to pass the exams with confidence.

Hope it helps.

shodown

You will need a server that can run the new versions of CUCM 8, CUPS, CUC. They have some multicluster examples in the book, but I think you can get by with just 1 cluster and learn the rest by reading.

As far as IOS you will need a device capable of running the 15x code which allows for some of the newer features. You will be able to do a large portion with a 3725, but will need to make sure you do your homework on SAF which isnt' compatible with the older versions of code. The min I would get would be a 2811, server to run call manager and a few IP phones and a 3550 to start. As time went on and you moved passed CIPT1 and CAPPS, I would look into more routers and gear as thats when they will be needed, but I'm sure with just 1 router a server and 3550 you can pass 2 of the test, maybe even the tshoot test. When t it comes to CVOICE, and CIPT 2 I would suggest 2 routers as you will be working multisite issues and dial-peers on the routers and possibly get a 3560 8 port POE to practice QOS for CVOICE.

stlsmoore

Thanks for all the help guys! And there was an error with my original post, I have two 1760's not 1720's but that doesn't really matter since it doesn't support the new 15x code anyways. I might be able to borrow some 3725's from work as well but I'm going to at least get the 2811 router maybe two to start off with.

QHalo

Good info in this thread. Subbed for when I hit the Voice track.

jahsoul

shodown wrote: »

You will need a server that can run the new versions of CUCM 8, CUPS, CUC. They have some multicluster examples in the book, but I think you can get by with just 1 cluster and learn the rest by reading.

As far as IOS you will need a device capable of running the 15x code which allows for some of the newer features. You will be able to do a large portion with a 3725, but will need to make sure you do your homework on SAF which isnt' compatible with the older versions of code. The min I would get would be a 2811, server to run call manager and a few IP phones and a 3550 to start. As time went on and you moved passed CIPT1 and CAPPS, I would look into more routers and gear as thats when they will be needed, but I'm sure with just 1 router a server and 3550 you can pass 2 of the test, maybe even the tshoot test. When t it comes to CVOICE, and CIPT 2 I would suggest 2 routers as you will be working multisite issues and dial-peers on the routers and possibly get a 3560 8 port POE to practice QOS for CVOICE.

I actually got my 7206 in Dynamips running 15.1 and for the most part, its as smooth as my other VM's, it's just takes more memory but since I'm not running 13 routes, just 5 (3 7200, 1 3725, and 1 3640 for a terminal server), it's no big problem, so on the IOS side, we should be ok.

stlsmoore

To update, I was able to borrow two 2821's from work and I'll use my 1760 to emulate the PSTN network. I think that should work? Which exam should I start off with? I have use CUCM 8.x, Unity Connection, and UCCX everyday so I have a good amount of general experience with all the software besides presence. It seems as if you can do the CVoice with just a couple of routers, phones, and switches without the need for a CUCM server yet, is that the case? CIPT1 looks as if it will be the easiest for me based on my real world experience.

stlsmoore

So I have my lab setup and I'm already getting to work, I've attached a picture of what my lab currently looks like minus two analog phones I purchased for $10 bucks. I know it's not the cleanest looking, there's going to be another standalone VMWare server too after I pass CVoice.

ccnp voice home lab.jpg

pitviper

Looking Good! Face the routers business side out though