Lab: Quality or Quantity

jschreck

Hello,
So I am in the process of building my lab. I have been looking around at ebay, this one caught my eye Used Cisco CCNA CCNP CCIE Complete Lab Kit | eBay . Then I talked to my Cisco buddy and he said no, cause it doesn't have enough flash to run the current IOS. He directed me to the 2800's, which look great with 64f/256r but the average cost of about 200-400 per.

Advice please?

John

Zartanasaurus

2800 is complete overkill for a CCNA lab. Your friend is correct that the 2600s don't run 12.4T, which would be preferred for a CCNA lab, but you don't need 2800s either. 4-5 1721s at $50 a pop is more than enough. 2600 makes a nice FR switch though.

jschreck

Zartanasaurus wrote: »

2800 is complete overkill for a CCNA lab. Your friend is correct that the 2600s don't run 12.4T, which would be preferred for a CCNA lab, but you don't need 2800s either. 4-5 1721s at $50 a pop is more than enough. 2600 makes a nice FR switch though.

Thank you, and your abbreviation, you mean a frame relay switch?

FloOz

I'd recommend going with the 2600 XM series routers. They will last you into your later studies as well if you plan on continuing past CCNA

jamthat

Zartanasaurus wrote: »

2800 is complete overkill for a CCNA lab. Your friend is correct that the 2600s don't run 12.4T, which would be preferred for a CCNA lab, but you don't need 2800s either. 4-5 1721s at $50 a pop is more than enough. 2600 makes a nice FR switch though.

x2 on the 1721's. I'd imagine they're even cheaper now with the new exams being announced, but around 2 months ago I picked up 3 1721's w/ max memory for $105 shipped on ebay total. No WIC cards, but those can be found cheap if you're patient . They also run VERY quietly, which is a plus for me.