My home lab what do you think?

He's an idea I have for a home CCNA Lab. I already have 2X2501 so here's my list;

1 X 2521 16/16 router to use as a frame-relay switch. ($80-90) v12.3
1 X 2509 16/16 to use as a access server. ($100-120) v12.3
1 RJ45 Octupus cable 10ft $14
1 X 2611XM or 2610XM v12.4 $300
2 X 2924 $180 v12.1

So here's my plan. I would copy the 2521 IOS image to a TFTP server
and then install it on both 2501. The total cost for the HW listed
is about $684.00.
Is this an overkill...could I do without one of the routers listed? I'd like to get the
2611XM or 2610XM to run SDM and a few other features
I know a 2950 is better for the CCNP but I really don't need QOS for the CCNA exam.
Both the 2950 & the 2924 support VLAN, Trunking and 802.1q.
What would you add or remove off my list? My budget is about $600-700.

thanks

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Comments

EdTheLad

2600 costs about $60, u wanna pay $240 for sdm?, 2924 costs about $30 on ebay.2509 costs about $70 on ebay, your going to buy a FR switch and you only have two routers to connect to it? doesn't make sense,unless you plan on buying afew more routers forget about the 2521.

Netwurk

kadshah wrote:

2 X 2924 $180

You would be better off getting 2950's rather than 2924's

2924's sell for $25-75
2950's go for $75-150

At any rate, 2 2924's for $180 is not a good deal

aragoen_celtdra

To kinda give you a bit of perspective from my own experience, here is what I've got form ebay so far (I started "collecting" items since Feb 18 ):

2620 64D/32F - $53
1720 Router - $20.50
3620 Router - $51.00
2950-24 - $105.50
2950-24 - $124.50
2509 - $49.00
5 x 3ft DCE/DTE cables - $14.75
4 x WIC-1T - $84.00
1 x NM-4A/S - $50.00
Skeletek 20U rack - $89.99

Not included in the price are shipping charges and other equipment I previously had from giveaways and loaned from work.

It adds up after a while. But I try not to think of it too much, otherwise the fun starts to diminish. And it's easier to learn when you're having fun.

What I can say about this experience though is it's definitely a good way to learn about these products that the books and study guides don't really explain too much. And with differing opinions from many sources I've consulted (blogs, forums, etc.) I find that going for it (armed with some information you've gathered thus far) is the best way to get familiar with all the different technology.

kadshah

I'll probably will jump right to the 2610XM since I will need a router tht supports 12.4 for the CCNP. And since I have my eye on the CCNP I'll get the 2950 as well instead of the 2924.

2950-24 - $105.50
2950-24 - $124.50

such a deal!

thanks

cisco_trooper

Don't skimp with the 2924, go for the 2950 instead, and maybe go for two of them. This will serve you much longer, especially if you plan to move on to CCNP level certifications. The routers are debateable. You can do ALOT of routing with dynamips, for free. You may want to put 2 or 3 NICs in your machine and use these to connect to your 2950s. This will be cheaper, and allow you to spend more money on good switches.

kadshah

You may want to put 2 or 3 NICs in your machine and use these to connect to your 2950s.

i'm always learning something on this forum

aragoen_celtdra

kadshah wrote:

2950-24 - $105.50
2950-24 - $124.50

such a deal!

thanks

Dude, patience is key

I probably lost over 30bids on the 2950s cause im just too cheap, i mean frugal.

It's kinda like gambling, you have to know when to fold and when to raise the stake.

One of the "must-haves" I had on my list was a 2509 access router but i didn't want to pay over 50 for it. I've seen it for months sell for upwards of $75-$125. But my patience paid off and I got one a couple of days ago for $49.

Just have fun bro and it'll pay off. Cheers

korszo

It's all fine to educate yourself on the equipment and crank up the hours on Ebay ... definitely great experience.

But IMHO, after a while, when time spent on Ebay starts eating into study time ... it's better to bite the bullet & just spend a few extra $s. That's my experience anyway. More than once, I got better deals with "Buy it Now", rather than messing around for weeks or months bidding on auctions, sacrificing "hands on" study time. The way bidders drive up those prices at times is mind boggling.

It also cracks me up people boasting prices they got things for without including shipping. Shipping charges can influence the bottom line price as much as the item itself. Shipping has to be included in the bottom line.

Then again, if you're not in a hurry, and time means nothing ... Happy Bidding!!!

FWIW ...

RK

kadshah

quick question. i'm about to buy a 2950 i just saw on ebay
it has the Enterprise Feature Set IOS 12.0.5-WC17s.
I'm aware that the latest IOS image is the 12.1(22)
Think this will be a problem for my lab setup?
What should be the minimum IOS image and flash/Ram for the 2950?
thanks again

phreak

You can always update the IOS for free on the 2950's with a guest user account for Cisco's site.

I've been shopping for switches the past week and found the CCNP BCMSN suggests two 2950G's so if you are looking to move to the CCNP, I'd get a pair of those instead of standard 2950's.

Look for the 2950G-12 or -24 with the E designation for Enhanced IOS.

kadshah

thanks man.

phreak

No problem.

If you cannot afford the 2950G's right now, best to just get the 2950 with the standard image. That'll get you far enough from what I have found so far in my studies.

Really though, the G's are what is needed for the CCNP according to the CCNP prep center.

The 2924-XL-EN's will work but I am finding some discrepancies in their show commands that do not mesh with what is in the ICND2 books. If you can get at least one 2950 so that you can practice the commands you'll be fine. I'd hate to see you waste the money on 2924-XL-EN's though, considering you are planning on going for the CCNP.... You need only two L2+ switches for the CCNP, and 4 L3 switches.... Might as well buy once if at all possible.

kadshah

I'm buying 2x2950 for sure. One has the IOS Version 12.1(22)EA4.
I think this is the standard version.

phreak

That'd be a standard image.

Speaking of IOS software..... Cisco's changed their site and I cannot figure out for the life of me, how to get to the download area for switch IOS's........

EDIT:

Thanks to member Mgeorge27 for the link...
http://tools.cisco.com/support/downloads/pub/Redirect.x?mdfid=272995357

wbosher

Excuse my ignorance but I'm pretty new to all of this.

I understand that the 2950 switch is newer and therefore better than the earlier models, but can someone tell me the difference between the 2500 series routers and the 2600 series. I'm just starting out with my CCNA studies and I'm in the lucky position of having a lot of 2500 and 2600 Routers and 2950 switches at my disposal to borrow long term, just need to know which would be better for CCNA.

Cheers.

mikej412

wbosher wrote:

I'm just starting out with my CCNA studies and I'm in the lucky position of having a lot of 2500 and 2600 Routers and 2950 switches at my disposal to borrow long term, just need to know which would be better for CCNA.

All of them

The 2600s are modular -- they have 1 or 2 built in Ethernet Interfaces, but then you can add 1 Network Module and 2 WAN Interface Cards (so you don't have any Serial Interfaces unless you add WICs).

The 2500s are "fixed routers" -- but there were a couple models that had some add in cards. The 2500s are older, so the "biggest baddest IOS" they can run is either a 12.2 Enterprise Plus or a 12.3 IP Plus (memory is their limiting factor). They have the 10Mb Ethernet Interface (and/or Token Ring) and usually 2 Serial Ports built in. They usually need transceivers, except for a few models with built in hubs.

The 2600s can run a nice 12.3 IOS Enterprise version.... I think. If you put an NM-4A/S Network Module in one of the 2600s you can use it as a Frame Relay Switch.

If there is a 2509 (RJ-45 or DB-68 for Octopus Cables) grab one to use as a terminal server (and the cables).

If there is a 252x with 4 or 10 Serial Ports, grab one for your Frame Relay Switch -- unless you have an NM-4A/S in a 2600 .... or just grab one of each.

Then grab some 2600s if they have WIC-1T or WIC-2T interfaces (and the corresponding cables). But you can still do "router-on-a-stick" with a 10 Mb Ethernet 2610 or 2611 or the 262x 100bm versions -- so make sure you have one no matter what other interfaces it has.

Usually 4 (or 5) routers and 3 switches is enough for the CCNA.

wbosher

Thanks Mike, that's very helpful. Now the hard part is deciding what to tell my boss in regards to my "wish list" for our CCNA lab.

Thanks again.

mikej412

Also check out the CCNA FAQ. There is a link in there to a Cisco Document that has a table containing a list of routers that support SDM -- which is needed for the current CCNA (or ICND1/ICND2) exams.

kentrg

But you can still do "router-on-a-stick" with a 10 Mb Ethernet 2610 or 2611 or the 262x 100bm versions -- so make sure you have one no matter what other interfaces it has.

I recall Jeremy from CBT Nuggets mention Router-on-a-stick can only be accomplished over FastEthernet. hmm

mikej412

kentrg wrote:

I recall Jeremy from CBT Nuggets mention Router-on-a-stick can only be accomplished over FastEthernet. hmm

And I recall putting the link (and a quote) from the Cisco Documentation that says you can in the CCNA FAQ.

802.1Q Encapsulation Support on Cisco 2600/3600 Series Routers

802.1Q encapsulation is now available on the built-in 10BaseT Ethernet interfaces of the Cisco 2610, 2611, and 2612 with Cisco IOS software 12.2(2)T and subsequent releases. Although this feature has been available on the Cisco 2600/3600 series since the release of Cisco IOS 12.1(5)T, support was previously limited to Fast Ethernet interfaces only. 802.1Q is not supported on any other Cisco 2600/3600 series 10BaseT Ethernet interface.

And the 100Mb interface on the 1720 doesn't do router on a stick -- but that's another Cisco Document.

kentrg

ah thanks

rfult001

I actually have a network setup for a class using two cisco 831 router/switches. Are these enough to study for the CCNA? Or do I need to upgrade? I have found several of these 800 series routers on Ebay for $1 a piece, and they have IOS installed.
I was thinking about starting the CCNA track sometime in the fall after I finish my MCSE and RHCE.

mikej412

rfult001 wrote:

I actually have a network setup for a class using two cisco 831 router/switches. Are these enough to study for the CCNA?

One might be useful for studying for the CCNP 642-825 ISCW exam, but that's about it -- that's where you learn to "Implement basic teleworker services" and a SOHO router could be useful for the Cable/DSL configurations.

If you had to choose between a "sharp stick to the eye" or using 831 routers to study for the CCNA, then you probably would go with the 831s.

Don't even bother with the older 800 series routers like the 801-804 -- those were ISDN or ISDL.