Casino gave me some extra cash... expand my lab?

So the casino let me walk out with a extra $150, actually it was more but my wife made me take her shopping, and I would like to expand my lab. My lab isn't much to talk about at the moment. Just a few items I was able to pick up from craigslist really cheap.

2501's x8
2924xl en
2950c

I'm currently working on my CCENT via Cisco academy at my local college. I would like for the lab to take me through CCNA. So, if you guys were me and had a little bit of extra cash what would you add to the mix?

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Eildor

BobbyDC wrote: »

So the casino let me walk out with a extra $150, actually it was more but my wife made me take her shopping, and I would like to expand my lab. My lab isn't much to talk about at the moment. Just a few items I was able to pick up from craigslist really cheap.

2501's x8
2924xl en
2950c

I'm currently working on my CCENT via Cisco academy at my local college. I would like for the lab to take me through CCNA. So, if you guys were me and had a little bit of extra cash what would you add to the mix?

I wouldn't spend money on lab equipment for CCNA, Packet Tracer works fine.

BobbyDC

I love packet tracer, but I want some hands on experience.

mikem1000

For $150 I would pick up 2 of these: Cisco 2610XM 128Mb RAM 32Mb Flash [CISCO2610XM] - $49.95 : RoutersWholesale.com, Your first choice for Cisco accessories Then try to get a 2950T, Ebay might provide one for around $50.

Eildor

BobbyDC wrote: »

I love packet tracer, but I want some hands on experience.

This is something I haven't been able to understand... how is having more routers and switches going to give you more hands on experience than you already have?

MAC_Addy

I would stay away from 2501's to be honest, especially if you want to pursue the CCNP after CCNA.

angel.oa

try to grab another 2950 to practice more fun r/stp topologies, try to look for a frame relay switch (a 252x, 3640 or 2600xm router) and maybe a 1721/1751/1760 router for sdm

those 3 devices would be good for ccnp studies too
if the 2501's have max dram/flash and 12.3 ios then they aren't completely worthless for ccent/ccna

alxx

You do need to know how to use packet tracer but gsn3 is more useful
CBT Nuggets Player

Having a lab that lets you do the common topologies rather than a couple of routers can be useful.
Some of us learn better with real hardware (treat it as hardware not as a simulation)

CCNA Topologies
CCNP Topologies

routers 1721/1751/1760/2600xm/2651xm/3725/3745/1841

1721/1751 from $10 , 1760 from $50 , 2600xm from around $40
1841 from around $150 - 200

switches 2950/3550

2950 from $20 , 3550 from $120

Take your time and for $150 you should be able to get a couple of decent routers and switches.

Forsaken_GA

Eildor wrote: »

This is something I haven't been able to understand... how is having more routers and switches going to give you more hands on experience than you already have?

It depends on your aspirations. If you have CCNP or CCIE aspirations, you're better off investing in some real gear, even at the CCNA level. I recommend 3 routers for CCNA/CCNP, 2610XM's will serve you fine. And 2 switches (I recommend getting 3550's if you have CCIE aspirations, otherwise 2950's). If you invest in that up front, you have enough gear to do the CCNA, CCNP, and CCIP if you so desire, and you have a solid foundation from which to build a CCIE lab.

If a persons goal is *only* CCNA, then Packet Tracer is fine.

alxx

Also it depends if you are working some where you get hands on experience or not.
I work in more of a development/r&d role so don't get to play with routers at work (mostly embedded linux, microcontrollers, fpgas and electronics) so having a hardware lab lets me get hands on.

Its also let me find out about a lot of things I wouldn't have just using packet tracer or gsn3.

Things like slarp, recovering corrupt images via xmodem or tftpdnld, formating cf cards, upgrading ios etc.

Been told by a few students here(work in a uni) that in interviews they were given a router with a roll over cable , a pc and power supply etc and told to set it up and get it connected to the network with a given ip address and certain services running.

Eildor

Forsaken_GA wrote: »

It depends on your aspirations. If you have CCNP or CCIE aspirations, you're better off investing in some real gear, even at the CCNA level. I recommend 3 routers for CCNA/CCNP, 2610XM's will serve you fine. And 2 switches (I recommend getting 3550's if you have CCIE aspirations, otherwise 2950's). If you invest in that up front, you have enough gear to do the CCNA, CCNP, and CCIP if you so desire, and you have a solid foundation from which to build a CCIE lab.

If a persons goal is *only* CCNA, then Packet Tracer is fine.

I completely agree, the OP however stated that he wants the lab to get him through CCNA. If I knew what I know now I wouldn't have spent money on routers and switches for CCNA, I would have simply stuck with Packet Tracer... at CCNP I'd stick with GNS3 for routing and purchase a few 3550's for switching... but that's just me, I guess some people just like having labs.

fsanyee

Eildor wrote: »

I completely agree, the OP however stated that he wants the lab to get him through CCNA. If I knew what I know now I wouldn't have spent money on routers and switches for CCNA, I would have simply stuck with Packet Tracer... at CCNP I'd stick with GNS3 for routing and purchase a few 3550's for switching... but that's just me, I guess some people just like having labs.

not just you. I'm doing the same. I'm working on my CCNA with PT and GNS3. I want a real lab too, but I don't want to spend much money for that. Buying cheap devices like 2924xl, 3548xl, 2500 is just waste of money.

Forsaken_GA

Eildor wrote: »

I completely agree, the OP however stated that he wants the lab to get him through CCNA. If I knew what I know now I wouldn't have spent money on routers and switches for CCNA, I would have simply stuck with Packet Tracer... at CCNP I'd stick with GNS3 for routing and purchase a few 3550's for switching... but that's just me, I guess some people just like having labs.

It depends. I use GNS3 for small scale stuff, but I think that using it as a full on lab replacement introduces some negative things. Ie, you now have to be able troubleshoot the OS, and the emulator, and deal with the bridging for the external switches, little of which is a reality operationally. Whereas having to deal with real iron is an operational reality in the cisco world.

Now, with that said, the difference isn't really all that big. I prefer to keep my studies as close to the real thing as I can make it, because I'm studying for a career and a job role, not to pass an exam. How you go about studying is largely a matter of personal preference.

Forsaken_GA

fsanyee wrote: »

not just you. I'm doing the same. I'm working on my CCNA with PT and GNS3. I want a real lab too, but I don't want to spend much money for that. Buying cheap devices like 2924xl, 3548xl, 2500 is just waste of money.

Actually, 2501's at least, do have a use. Given how cheap they are, they make wonderful devices for emulating backbone routers (ie, route injection).

Switches older than a 2950, however, yeah, utter pieces of crap.

joshmadakor

Forsaken_GA wrote: »

Switches older than a 2950, however, yeah, utter pieces of crap.

This made me laugh for some reason

geek4god

Forsaken_GA wrote: »

Whereas having to deal with real iron is an operational reality in the cisco world.

Buying gear on eBay, recovering passwords, restoring to default, adding memory, figuring out how to get non Cisco compact flash to work, learning about which cards I need, adding them, bricking stuff, discovering what I bought is not enough, researching, researching, reading, living on this forum and Cisco's website etc etc.. In my opinion adds value to the process that you can not get in Packet Tracer or GNS3.. I use Packet lots when I am reading and want to see how something works real fast..

I am not even sure labing on real gear is as valuable as the process of building your own lab..

Again all of it is my opinion..

Jollycork

geek4god wrote: »

Buying gear on eBay, recovering passwords, restoring to default, adding memory, figuring out how to get non Cisco compact flash to work, learning about which cards I need, adding them, bricking stuff, discovering what I bought is not enough, researching, researching, reading, living on this forum and Cisco's website etc etc.. In my opinion adds value to the process that you can not get in Packet Tracer or GNS3.. I use Packet lots when I am reading and want to see how something works real fast..

I am not even sure labing on real gear is as valuable as the process of building your own lab..

Again all of it is my opinion..

Well said! I found that I learned more than any book, simulator, or video ever taught, by doing exactly what you did.

" Buying gear on eBay, recovering passwords, restoring to default, adding memory, figuring out how to get non Cisco compact flash to work, learning about which cards I need, adding them, bricking stuff, discovering what I bought is not enough, researching, researching, reading, living on this forum and Cisco's website etc etc.."