Looking to build CCNA will these switches work?

mrrhtuner

Hey guys, I am finishing up my CCNP course at school and I won't have lab access anymore so I'd like to put together a few switches and routers to practice for my CCNA and then CCNP cert.

I have the possibility of purchasing the following switches:

• Cisco switch 2950
• Cisco switch 2960G
• Cisco switch 3512
• Cisco switch 3524

That is all I know about them and I won't be able to know more unless I purchase them. It seems that the Cisco 29xx can work as a layer 2 switch and the 35xx I could use as a layer 3 switch, but I am not sure how to find out exactly.

I will need to source a router with CUCME/PVDM's so I can also work on my CCVP/CCNA Voice but that is all due in time.


Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you

networker050184

Those 3500s are not layer 3. They are even older than the 2950s. You are confusing them with the 3550/3560 line.

theodoxa

Layer 2 = 2950, 2960
Layer 3 = 3550, 3560, 3750

For Layer 2, the best option if you can afford it is the 2960 Series, but they're running a bit high ($99) right now on eBay. The 2960G will probably run you even more. For Layer 3, the 3750 is probably your best option, but very expensive - $150-200, more if you want PoE. The 3550 is a decent Layer 3 switch and is ALOT cheaper.

For CCNA, any of the ones I listed would probably do. For CCNP, you would ideally want 2 x 2960 and 2 x 3560 or 3750, but could probably get by with lesser (2950/3550) switches. The 3550 doesn't fully support IPv6 (Supposedly, with the right IOS it can do IPv6, but not very well) or Private VLANs.

mrrhtuner

Thank you guys!

The switches I've listed are all in one bundle for the price for $200.00. A mixture of 19 switches for that price. I am thinking of splitting it with another CCNP friend I know and we will build our own home labs and sell off the rest.

We use the 3550 or 3560 with the POE ability for our voice classes so that is something I'll have to hunt down.

Thanks guys!

alxx

Don't forget you can rent rack time as well to access the latest equipment.
Use what you have that can do 90 -95% and rent a block of hours for that last bit.


Don't waste money on kits full of useless old junk!
No one is going to want to buy 3512's,3524's.

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