CCNP Lab

4_lom

I know I'm probably beating a dead horse, but I need help designing a lab for all three CCNP exams. I know layer 3 switching is one of the topics, so I know for sure I'm getting some 3550's. Being that these switches have routing capabilities, could I get away with some 3550's and nothing else?

alxx

gsn3 + a couple/few 3550 EMI 's + maybe a couple of 2950's as well + a bit of rack time to cover private vlans (on 3560's or better)

Or all rack time ? If you can pick times no one else wants
Community Lab - Packet Life

very few scheduled sessions
Free CCNA Workbook » Free CCNA Workbook Lab
Free CCNA Workbook » Free Lab Schedule Portal

With gsn3 you may want to get an extra nic or few for your pc.

cbt nuggets gsn3 video
CBT Nuggets Player

https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/thread/23445
Step By Step - Installation, Configuration & Usage Guide of GNS3 | BLOG OUT LOUD!

http://www.youtube.com/v/wC-n8Jy88dY&hl

4_lom

So I think I'm pretty much set for the Switch exam (2 3550's and 2 2950's, all four enhanced images). Now onto the Route... I have a 2620 to add in somewhere. Do you guys think some old 2501's would be okay as DCE's for FR? Also, what do you think of the 1760's? I heard they can run 12.4, which is what the CCNP requires.

alxx

1760's would be fine as long as they have enough ram and flash.
same for 1721's and 1751's

12.4t not 12.4
2600's can only run 12.4 not 12.4t - Due to lack of ram.
2600xm can run 12.4t
1721, 1751, and 1760 can run 12.4t

With gsn3 you can connect the emulated routers (it runs the real ios) in gsn3 to your network.
Save yourself some decent money or have better/newer models to use.

4_lom

With the 1760s, is it possible to use them for voice. I mean, is it as simple as adding some voice modules and the correct IOS? Or is the 1760v a different router entirely?

Netwurk

For what the CCNP covers, you don't need voice modules. To pass BCMSN (now SWITCH), I used a router running CME and a 3550-PWR to get the phones going. You can power up your phones with the DC adapters, so a PoE switch is not a must.

The main goal (for BCMSN at least) was to understand and know how to implement QoS at the switch level. A full-fledged VoIP lab should only be necessary for one of the voice tracks.