Purchasing a lab

tehbrosta

Hey guys,

I'm just getting into studying for the CCENT. I am watching the CBTnugget videos and it would be really helpful if I had a switch / router to run all the commands on myself. I came across this kit:

1 x Cisco 2501 or 2507 Router w/16MB RAM 8MB Flash 2501 IOS 12.x
2 x Cisco 3102 Router w/16MB RAM 8MB Flash 2501 IOS 12.x
1 x Cisco Catalyst 1201 'Set-Based' Switch Router
2 x ADC/Kentrox DataSmart T1 Dual-Port CSU/DSU w/v.35 Connectors
1 x ADC/Kentrox Console Adapter
1 x T1 CSU/DSU Network Cross-Over Cable w/RJ-45 Connectors
3 x CAT5 RJ-45 Cables
2 x 10BaseT-to-AUI Ethernet Transceivers
1 x Cisco Console Cable Kit
2 x DB-50 to v.35 Male DTE Serial Cables
2 x HD-60 to DB-50 DTE-to-DCE Serial Cables
4 x Standard 3-Pin AC Power Cable
1 x Cisco Press CCNP Certification Library Second Edition - 4 Books + CD
1 x Layer 7 Labs Custom Network Utilities CD w/Cisco Practice Exams
1 x Cisco Documentation CD Set (2 CDs)

Will this be sufficient for CCNA? I am studying for the newer test.

blueberries

I would advise against a kit for two reasons, 1) the added amount of money you give to the guy for bundling the kit is not worth it in the age of ebay. 2) you will find out more about the technology if you investigate it yourself, plus you will have something that fits you better.

My first lab consisted of two 2950 switches and two 2611 routers. I crimped the ethernet cables myself. It more than sufficed and cost much less than the kits advertised.

theodoxa

1 x Cisco 2501 or 2507

Junk. I might take a 2500 series if someone gave it to me for free. But, I would not spend money on one, unless it was the 2509-RJ which can be used as an Access/Console/Terminal Server.

2 x Cisco 3102 Router

Unless this refers to the SPA3102 Voice Gateway, which is a Small Business device, I have never even heard of this

1 x Cisco Catalyst 1201 'Set-Based' Switch Router

What? Googled it. It runs CatOS and is thus 100% useless for Certification use.

2 x ADC/Kentrox DataSmart T1 Dual-Port CSU/DSU w/v.35 Connectors

Why waste money on external CSU/DSUs? They're expensive and a WIC-1DSU-T1 (w. Built-In CSU/DSU) runs about $6-8 if you look around [on eBay]. Of course, you'd need a router than accepts WICs, which is basically any router (1700, 2600, etc...) other than what they're giving you.

1 x ADC/Kentrox Console Adapter
1 x T1 CSU/DSU Network Cross-Over Cable w/RJ-45 Connectors
3 x CAT5 RJ-45 Cables
2 x 10BaseT-to-AUI Ethernet Transceivers - Only needed because of the archaic routers. More recent routers have RJ45 ports.
1 x Cisco Console Cable Kit
2 x DB-50 to v.35 Male DTE Serial Cables
2 x HD-60 to DB-50 DTE-to-DCE Serial Cables
4 x Standard 3-Pin AC Power Cable
1 x Cisco Press CCNP Certification Library Second Edition - 4 Books + CD

CCNP Books?

1 x Layer 7 Labs Custom Network Utilities CD w/Cisco Practice Exams
1 x Cisco Documentation CD Set (2 CDs)

The S&H probably costs more than this kit is worth.

My suggestions:

Routers -- 1751, 1760, 2600XM Series, 3700 Series, 1841, or 2800 Series (2801, 2811, 2821, 2851)
Switches -- 2950, 2960, 3550, or 3560

tehbrosta

Ahh, thank you for the great advice.

I've spent numerous hours trying to get GNS3 to work nicely on my computer and its not happening. I think would like to go this route but in terms of dear frustration I went to craigslist's and I saw this kit. The guy only wants $100. The rest of the stuff I see on eBay starts at $300. I started to Google the first couple items and back in 2008 this one guy said the 2500 series was ancient.

Doing labs in a virtual environment is more efficient, but there is something about hands on. I've done a lot of the physical side of networking. So I've spend some time in MDFs. I will figure out whats wrong with GNS3.

Thanks again

QHalo

I wouldn't give him $10 for that stuff. It's all junk. Unfortunately you have to pay to play in a home lab. You just have to do some serious digging to find some deals. GN3 is cool and all, but get some layer 1 experience if you can. Think of it as an investment.

theodoxa

You can build a simple lab for under $100 if you look around.

Cisco 1760 1700 Series Modular Access Router CCNP CCVP | eBay
Cisco WS C2950 24 Switch 2950 Series 24 Port 10 100 CCNA CCNP 0746320454498 | eBay
Cisco WIC 1DSU T1 DSU CSU 1600 1700 2600 3600 Router | eBay
T1 Crossover Loopback Cable Cisco WIC1 DSU T1 1 Ft | eBay

1 x Cisco 2950-24
3 x Cisco 1760
4 x WIC-1DSU-T1
2 x T1 Crossover Cables

This would cost about $100 if you shopped around on eBay.