As of about mid 2012 it has become economical enough to consider the 1841 routers for your CCNP lab since they have come down in price significantly. Why might you want to consider the 1841 router for your CCNP lab? Well it is the actual router that is used in the Cisco Academy CCNP ROUTE, SWITCH and TSHOOT Lab Companion Series workbooks. So for the couple of commands here and there that are not covered by the 2600XM routers, well you can be covered now with the 1841 routers! Another bonus is that the 1841 routers can run 15.x IOS. As I am sure you know from the CCNA certification track, Cisco can make changes to the exam blueprint adding and removing concepts without changing the exam number. SDM is a perfect example in the CCNA track. So the 1841s will give you that extra layer of protection, you will be using newer equipment that you will more likely see in the field than a 2600XM series unit and you can use them in your CCIE lab!
SephStorm wrote: » Hold on a second friend. Take a look here:How to Build a CCNA Security 640-554 Lab and here:Cisco CCNP Lab Suggestions | How to Build Your Own Lab now while the bove link is for CCNP R&S, it mentions a valid point: I'd highly advise going for 4 1841 routers, and some switches with an ASA. That should get you through CCNA security and likely CCNP Security.
