CCNP tools required to get the Certification ??

in CCNP
Hi mates,
I would like to know, if just reading the "CCNP Routing and Switching Official Certification Library" will be enough for my CCNP ?
I read some posts about buying some equipments for home labs. I have a limited budget since I'm paying my own certification, but would like to hear opinions about this topic.
Bye, and good luck with your goals !!!
I would like to know, if just reading the "CCNP Routing and Switching Official Certification Library" will be enough for my CCNP ?
I read some posts about buying some equipments for home labs. I have a limited budget since I'm paying my own certification, but would like to hear opinions about this topic.
Bye, and good luck with your goals !!!
Comments
Don't feel you have to spend much money, but you do need to practice.
As NetworkVeteran said, you need hands on. For route you can do this with GNS3 - that said, if you've never worked around routers and switches before, learning the theory and labbing virtually is all good, but you need to know things like where the console cable plugs in, etc! For switch you either need to do online rack rentals, or have some real kit - GNS3 won't do it.
To give you an idea, I'm paying for everything myself too. I keep an eye on eBay (UK) for any last minute bargain deals. I've had routers for as little as 99p (collection only)! I've never actually added it up, but I reckon my lab probably only cost me about £400 ish, over the last 3 years. And that's 6 routers, a PIX firewall, 2 layer 2 switches, 2 layer 3 switches, and 4 Dell servers. Plus I've got serial cables, ethernet cables, WIC cards, NM cards, etc. If you can bag some bargains on eBay, it's not as expensive as you might think.
That said, I still find myself firing up GNS3 if I want to check something out!
My blog: mybraindump.co.uk