Can I start with just 2 routers

Hello
Ive taken CCNA classes years ago and been in IT for about 10 years, mostly telecom and tech support/NOC type environments. I want to put together a home lab. I know you need routers and switchs but Im thinking being that the finances are super tight can I just get 2 routers to start with and use packet Tracer for the labs for now? I would think if you have to get anything it should be the routers, just wondering.
Thanks

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Comments

alxx

Can start with none and just use packet tracers, gsn3 and a couple of switches
GNS3 | Graphical Network Simulator

Or can start with a cheap router or two and a switch or few.

1721's , 1751's go for fairly cheap.I've brought a couple at $20ea including p&h
Things to look out for are the amounts of ram and flash and if there are any wic cards installed.
And make sure the plug packs are included.
You want wic1t or wic2t serial wics.

Also need the serial cables for them.

Or if you want routers that are rackable
1761's or 2600xm's

For switches 2950's which can go for as little as $25ea to start with then later at least one 3550 for L3 switching

What ever you do NOT buy premade lab packages

For any cisco routers you need to look at what ios versions thy support and how much ram and flash is needed for that ios version.
You'll want to get 12.4T if possible.

Few links for you to have a read of
Cisco Cert Zone: CCNA Lab Series 2011: Overview
Cisco Cert Zone: CCNA Lab II: How Topologies Drive Device Choices
Cisco Cert Zone: CCNA Lab III: Sifting Through the Router Model Series
Cisco Cert Zone: CCNA Lab IV: Choosing the IOS Version and Feature Set
Cisco Cert Zone: CCNA Lab Part V: Ruling Out (or In) 2500 and 2600
Cisco Cert Zone: CCNA Lab Series Part 6: The Best Router for CCNA, 2011
Cisco Cert Zone: CCNA Lab Part 7: Choosing the Right Switch Models
http://www.networkworld.com/community/blog/ccna-lab-part-8-how-many-switches-and-which-o

http://www.certskills.com/LabGear/CCNA/RouterIOSFeatures.aspx
CCNA Switch IOS Features CCNA Topologies
1700 Series Routers 2600 XM Series Routers
http://www.certskills.com/LabGear/Switches/2950.aspx
http://www.certskills.com/LabGear/Switches/3550.aspx

freeccnaworkbook.com

alan2308

If you have plenty of real hands on, then you'll be fine just using Packet Tracer or GNS3. Go here for all the labs you'll need on GNS3.

beach5563

Thanks so mauch, I appreciate all your advice. Yea a lot of people say you have to have the 2600 XM routers but a freind of mine just has two 1720s and a simulator for switches. I heard GNS3 requires a lot of resourses to run and that you have to have a powerful processor and lots of ram, not sure. If I could get a couple of routers for under $100 that would be cool. I mainly just want enough to get the minimum amount of hands on needed. Back in the day when I used to take cisco classes we had about 3 routers and 2 switches each in the class. Was lots of fun. I want to just take the one test route because I would rather have around 50 questions rather than 100. I know you have to study longer but thats ok.

johnifanx98

beach5563 wrote: »

Hello
Ive taken CCNA classes years ago and been in IT for about 10 years, mostly telecom and tech support/NOC type environments. I want to put together a home lab. I know you need routers and switchs but Im thinking being that the finances are super tight can I just get 2 routers to start with and use packet Tracer for the labs for now? I would think if you have to get anything it should be the routers, just wondering.
Thanks

I am studying VLAN subject. If you want to test it on hardware, I bet you need at least two switches and one router.

alxx

1721's and 1751's not 1720's and 1750's if possible.
Can't upgrade the flash enough in the 1720's or 1750's to take the more recent ios images

If you use gsn3 you don't need a fantastic pc to run it.
Just configure it properly especially the idle setting.
It runs fine with a few routers set , on my old core2 2GHz mini mac.
Runs very nicely on a E8300 with 4GB ram running windows xp or win 7.

Just need to tune the idle setting.

For vlan practise you can use gsn3 and a couple of real switches.

If finances are tight. Look into gsn3, buy one 2950 switch to start with and go from there.

Get gsn3 , wireshark and get packet tracer Thats all you need to start off.

Also get some free lab time on sites like free ccna workbook and others that allow free lab time.

http://www.freeccnaworkbook.com/lab/faqs/

Also
https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/thread/15662

http://ccnaforfree.blogspot.com/

beach5563

Thanks so much everybody this was a big help. I have Packet Tracer so I will start with that because my PC is old and has only 1 gig of ram and 1.83 processor speed I think. Anyway I will use the sybex book and CBT nuggets and I will check out all od the info you suggested.
Peace

alxx

Can run gsn3 with two routers on an old old intel core mac mini on a 1.6GHz with 512MB ram
just tune the idle settings