Best Way to Start Labbing?

I've been reading my CCENT/CCNA book for a bit now, and I'm getting excited about the labbing/experimenting portion. What's the best way to go about starting some lab exercises?

Anyone know of any beginner step-by-step sites or starting out videos? I basically have all my lab equipment on the floor unplugged and trying to get a basic setup going so I can start playing around with everything.

Thank you!

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Comments

saspro

http://www.techexams.net/forums/ccnp/48081-free-lab-book.html

TehToG

Isn't that a CCIE book? Not that useful for CCNA then.
There is a website which I can't find right now that has lab scenarios for CCNA. Someone will be on soon to post it.

What equipment do you have and how many of each. If we know that I'm sure we can help.

chX

I'm a fan of this site: GNS3 Labs :: Cisco Router Simulator Network Labs & Topologies For CCENT, CCNA, CCNP & CCIE Candidates!

saspro

http://www.techexams.net/forums/ccna-ccent/50528-ccna-icnd-1-free-lab-book-download.html

Another free lab book

Patel128

Free CCNA Workbook

This is a very good website for a lab workbook.

Nytrocide

TehToG wrote: »

What equipment do you have and how many of each. If we know that I'm sure we can help.

This is exactly what I have. The rack is set up just like the auction's images as well.

Cisco Lab Kit - Based on CBT NUGGETS! Great for CCNA! 3 Routers and 3 Switches | eBay

prtech

Pick up a terminal server!

Nytrocide

Can't I just use Packet Tracer off my PC? Just looking to get CCENT and CCNA for now. Have that Serial/USB adapter as well.

prtech

You can but then why did you buy those routers and switches.

Nytrocide

To get a hands-on view? I guess I'm confused as to why I would need a server if I can see everything with Packet Tracer using my real equipment. :P

prtech

I'm confused as well. You can see all of your real equipment on packet tracer?

mella060

Your best bet would be to start of labbing with Packet Tracer to get familiar with the IOS/CLI. Get some basic networks up and running with routers and switches. Once you get familiar with using the IOS/CLI, then move on to the real gear.

Packet Tracer is the best tool for getting familiar with the CLI and setting up basic networks with routers and switches. It also teaches you the basics about adding modules to routers and switches. You even have to turn the routers off before you can add modules so it is fairly realistic and easy to use.

My advice would be to don't worry about the real gear until you have used PT for a while and have a good basic understanding of the CLI and getting basic networks up and running.

NotHackingYou

Get Lammle's book and do every lab in his book.

VAHokie56

Just use packet tracer for all your labs, there are some great pre-made PT labs that work through various requirements out there to be found. As far as your real equipment use it to practice upgrading IOS and password breaking. If you want some real fun delete your IOS then reboot the device and load it back on through a console cable in rommon...good real world "oops I fudged up" experience if you know what I mean

Nytrocide

I apparently never knew that Packet Tracer can work without real equipment.

Since I'm so excited about jumping in and getting my hands dirty...could I essentially use my real equipment pretty quickly after doing some basic labs? And follow the rest of the step-by-steps with them?

FloOz

It really depends on your learning pace. If you learn and understand the stuff reasonably fast I dont see why you can't jump right away into the real gear. I used packet tracer and odoms network sim to get a basic understanding of the CLI and networking, and then I moved onto real gear. I recently also purchased 101 CCNA Labs, I highly recommend it after you get all the basics down and are ready for some labs with real equipment.

Nytrocide

For those with the Odom book, how is the CCNA Simulator? As good as or better than Packet Tracer?

@Flo0z - In regards to 101 CCNA Labs, do you mean this?

101 Labs for the Cisco CCNA Exam: Paul W Browning,Farai Tafa,Stuart Juggins: 9780955781520: Amazon.com: Books

FloOz

The Odom sim is good to get a basic understanding of the CLI. It comes with 200+ labs and it walks you through each one. There is no dragging and dropping routers and connectors in Odoms sim. He provides the topology when you open up a lab. Packet tracer on the other hand lets you make your topologies and mess around with the different routers and switches.

Yep that is the book.

mohamedshajid

FloOz wrote: »

The Odom sim is good to get a basic understanding of the CLI. It comes with 200+ labs and it walks you through each one. There is no dragging and dropping routers and connectors in Odoms sim. He provides the topology when you open up a lab. Packet tracer on the other hand lets you make your topologies and mess around with the different routers and switches.

Yep that is the book.

Oh! bro thanks for your resources, Wendell odom's Lab is really great i think

because they had mentioned 200 labs so we could practice easily

Ltat42a

Check out this thread -
http://www.techexams.net/forums/ccna-ccent/28660-ccna-ccent-home-lab-ideas.html#post683358

hth

RomBUS

Awesome sources! Keep 'em coming!

Reck_

+1 for Saiyed