Switches for CCNA/CCNP

Punt1971

Hi

I've a fair bit of expreience in the IT industry but networking is my achilles heel. So I've just started some self-study for my CCNA (have chosen the ICND1/2 route). Have finished the CBT nuggets for part 1 and tbh, found it rather basic but that's not to say I didn't learned anything. but anway...

My question is regarding physical switches. Where I work have recently upgraded the network and we now have a few spare Cisco Catalyst Express 500 switches that I could borrow for my studies.

1. Will these be suitable for CCNA and CCNP if I decided to go that far?
2. If so, how many should I get? We have around ten going spare but don't think my manager will let me have them all!
3. Apart from getting used to the hardware what is the advantage over GNS3?
4. Can you reccomend a router (how many do I need?) on the cheap? Child v2.0 on the way so disposable income at a minimum!

Thanks

TurK-FX

most you need is a 3 switches. As long as you have IOS 12.2 or up, you should be ok. I might be missing some functions, but you should be ok.
you need 3router, 3switches for proper CCNA training, and may be one more router for Frame Relay.

Also, just dont relay on CBT videos. They are not enough. Use them just as a sneak peak or review.

astorrs

CE500's aren't going to work as you don't have CLI access (just Web) you need real (not Express) ones.

Roguetadhg

I don't know what 500s are, and I'm too lazy right now to do the google searching for information... But the CCNP labs I've got mostly includes 4 switches. 2 Access, 2 Core. Etherchannels between the four is a lab that I can recall off the top of my head.

BeTheNetwork

Hello,

Switching is the difficult part of the CCNA in terms of getting hands on experience. GNS3 is great for routing capabilities, and to some extent can provide nice Spanning Tree's. But the problem with switches and GNS3 is that Cisco switching happens in ASIC hardware, and GNS3 emulates software. Also, CE500 does not get you intimate with CLI and the protocols required for CCNA. That said, take a look at Community Lab - Packet Life . If that link gets pulled, its a link to the PacketLife dot net website. They have a free lab with real equipment. That is a nice cheap way to get that done. Also, I will be ramping a online lab rental site off of **** dot com in January. I know you are looking for cheap, and I will need beta testers for four CCNA pods.

As you are searching for equipment remember points like Spanning-Tree, Port-Security, VLAN Trunking (802.1Q), Etherchannel (Not on the current blueprint), and management VLAN. Much of this can be virtualized in GNS3 or IOU, but obviously nothing will beat a Catalyst 2960, 3560, or 3750.

HTH,
Brent

Zartanasaurus

Need a minimum of 3 Routers (1721, 1760, 2600XM, 2691, 3725, 3745) + 1 FR Switch and 3 2950 switches for CCNA to study properly. 1721 routers are generally the cheapest on ebay. You have to buy AC Adapters for them, just like you would with a laptop. Last time I looked they were going for about $40/each. All your routers will need 1 WIC serial port for frame relay, and the FR switch needs enough ports to support your routers (3+). Make sure you check Cisco's site for minimum DRAM & flash requirements to run your IOS so you know what to purchase in addition to the router itself.


Once you're done CCNA, sell it all back, and buy 3x 3550/3560 switches, a server, quad NIC cards and run routers/FR in GNS3 + real switches for CCNP.

phoeneous

Pass on the CE500's. Get a 2950 and a 3550, that's really all you need.

By the way, you mistyped MCITP in your profile.

TurK-FX

For reference, i bought 3x 2950 for $55 shipped all together on ebay. Just look for good deal.