questions about different routers for home lab

so i'm studying for the ccna exam and i decided to start getting equipment for a home lab. I know for a fact i'm getting the 2950 switch but i'm having trouble in deciding on the routers. What's the difference between the 2501 and the 2503 and the 2514 and the 2524 and which one is the best out of the four? They are all pretty much the same price at cablesandkits.com

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bambam123

what router can i buy that doesn't need a transceiver or a expansion card to run and can handle atleast a 12.3 ios without upgrading

msteinhilber

bambam123 wrote: »

what router can i buy that doesn't need a transceiver or a expansion card to run and can handle atleast a 12.3 ios without upgrading

I don't believe there is anything that is going to do what you need without either a transceiver or additional WIC/NM cards.

mikej412

bambam123 wrote: »

what router can i buy that doesn't need a transceiver or a expansion card to run and can handle atleast a 12.3 ios without upgrading

That describes a 2505, 2507, or 2516 -- assuming it already has 16/16 and comes with the last 12.3 IP Plus IOS. I think the 2516 had the MDIX switch port, otherwise I think you'd use a crossover cable if you connected a couple 2505/2507 routers back-to-back.

But those 2500 "Hub Routers" won't do SDM or 802.1q trunking (for router-on-a-stick). Your "trade off" here is cheap vs expandibility, upgradability, and functionality.

You'd have to go to the Cisco IOS Feature Navigator to find what you lose and what you gain between running the 2500 12.2 Enterprise Plus and the 2500 12.3 IP Plus. I think IPv6 may be one of the obvious differences.

mikej412

bambam123 wrote: »

sorry i just said thingy because i was in a hurry. i meant do i need to buy a WIC-2T card?

WIC-2T cards are usually more expensive than WIC-1T cards -- and they use the smaller smart serial connectors.

I stick with all WIC-1T (or NM-4A/S for my 3640s) cards with the DB60 connectors so I could just buy a bunch of the same back-to-back cables for my lab. I did get 1 WIC-2T, so I bought 2 long Smart Serial to DB60 Back-to-Back cables and left it at that.

msteinhilber

mikej412 wrote: »

WIC-2T cards are usually more expensive than WIC-1T cards -- and they use the smaller smart serial connectors.

I stick with all WIC-1T (or NM-4A/S for my 3640s) cards with the DB60 connectors so I could just buy a bunch of the same back-to-back cables for my lab. I did get 1 WIC-2T, so I bought 2 long Smart Serial to DB60 Back-to-Back cables and left it at that.

In my lab, I think the DB60 connectors are much better at remaining connected (w/o screwing them in because it's a pain sometimes) than the Smart Serial connectors, I really despise those connectors, just a pain to work with. Just another reason the WIC-1T's are nice to use as well.

bambam123

man this decision is more complex than i thought. If you guys were going to buy a 2 routers that were each under a hundred dollars what would u guys buy?

mikej412

bambam123 wrote: »

man this decision is more complex than i thought. If you guys were going to buy a 2 routers that were each under a hundred dollars what would u guys buy?

Well the first thing I say is "WOW! $200 dollars to spend on a CCNA Lab!!" But are you building a CCNA Lab? Or just buying 2 routers?

If I had a month to shop and bid on eBay before I "had to have" the full lab up and running I'd grab that $40 1721.

I'd also get 4 back-to-back serial cables.

I'd shop for a 2520 for around $50 (hopefully with transceiver and shipping included) to act as the frame-relay switch.

And I'd grab 2 of the 2501 or 2503 routers that came with transceivers for $20 each.

And with the other $90 I'd get beer, a WIC-1T, and network cables.

And if I didn't drink beer (or already had some) I'd try to score a couple $25 2924-XL-EN switches. It might be possible to score a super deal on one 2950-12 port (or even a 2950-24 port) switch -- but you can't do much switching with just one switch.

If switches were a separate budget, then I'd make one of the 2501/2503 a 2509 or 2911 terminal server.

Now if you just wanted 2 routers and were going to spend $200 -- I'd get that $40 1721, 2 WIC-1T cards, a cross-over network cable. I'd see if I could score a 128/32 DRAM/FLASH 2651XM, 2550XM; 2611XM; or 2610XM with what was left. If I lost patience bidding for the 26xxXM, I'd look at the 128/32 2651 and 2650 Buy-it-Now prices and probably grab one of those. The 2 Ethernet port models are nice to have if you have a switch or something else to connect to them (like a PC with another cross-over cable). If I didn't get an XM -- I'd buy beer with the change.

And don't forget a cisco console cable (and a USB Serial Adapter if you don't have a PC with a serial port)

JavonR

Can I just pay you to ebay shop for my CCNP lab mike?

msteinhilber

mikej412 wrote: »

And with the other $90 I'd get beer

Is there a particular type of beer tested on the exam? Can I expect any sim questions about beer?

bambam123

mikej it is impossible to get those equipment for the price you are listing because you have to pay a whole lot more for more recent ios and max memory

bambam123

i can't find any 2501 with a transciever and even remoteley recent ios for 20 bucks

miller811

bambam123 wrote: »

i can't find any 2501 with a transciever and even remoteley recent ios for 20 bucks

I was able to complete my CCNA last year, and I did it with a
pair of 2950 switches
a 1605 router, 1 2620 router, a 1720 router,

Really, in the CCNA study and labs, it is really about become familiar with a the devices, the loading, reloading, and storage techniques (flash ROM, RAM)and then how the routers interact when running different routing protocols. You will also need to know spanning-tree protocol, so you really need a pair of switches to see the protocol reacts/interacts between switches.

As I progressed through my CCNP studies, I picked up different routers, when the oppurtunities allowed, but for the most part, I found the dynamips did it better/faster than I could with real gear.

I am currently in processing of clearing my lab gear, and have listed some of the gear I have for sale in the off topic section. All prices are negotiable.

let me know if you are interested....

http://new.techexams.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3161&page=8

bambam123

what's the difference between the WIC-1T and the WIC 1DSU T1. Do they both do the same thing? Which one is better?

miller811

A WIC 1T is used to connect to an external DSU or another WIC 1T in a lab environment. A WIC T1 is a DSU/CSU card that can connected directly to a digital lease line/ T1 circuit. A pair of WIC T1's can also be cross connected with a T1 cross over cable in a lab environment. For the most part in my CCNA studies, I ran the routing protocol labs other ethernet, and not over serial interfaces.

mikej412

msteinhilber wrote: »

Is there a particular type of beer tested on the exam? Can I expect any sim questions about beer?

While beer may be part of a Study Plan -- I like the read one chapter, drink one beer study motivation method -- it is not part of the Cisco Exam Blueprints. You will not be tested on (or offered) beer during the exams.

But beer does fit in well in the overall 3 Step Certification Plan -- Study

Pass

Celebrate

jbaello

bambam123 wrote: »

what's the difference between the WIC-1T and the WIC 1DSU T1. Do they both do the same thing? Which one is better?

I suggest doing alot of reading, since I have so much question myself, and the material gave me the information I needed, the CCENT part covers WAN and will discuss different types of WAN connectiong along with the interface being used

I also suggest that if you ever plan on obtaining your CCNP (why not?) to try to hit 2 stones in 1 bird

so you have a lab that is back to back compatible.

bambam123

i have already started icnd1 with the wendell odom book. If i get 2 cisco 2610 routers will i need four wic-1ts or just 2? also i plan on getting a 2950 switch with twelve ports

jbaello

bambam123 wrote: »

i have already started icnd1 with the wendell odom book. If i get a 2 cisco 2610 router will i need four wic-1ts or just 2? also i plan on getting a 2950 switch with twelve ports

You would be loosing alot of time, if the lab you purchase is just for CCNA IMO, I think you would end up with the same route as you did with CCNA trying to sell your now lab because it's not compatible with CCNP etc. all I'm saying is try to make sure you can have a lab that you can use for a few years, so you can avoid the hustle and just study.

bambam123

i reallly jsut wanna focus on ccna for now. CCNP is years from now for me. And don't really care if the equipment won't be compatible in the future i just want to get solid practic on routers and switches right now

bambam123

yo miller811 can you tell me what ios is on your routers

mikej412

Cisco Portable Product Sheets

Some of my favorite PDFs are the
Cisco Switch Performance
IOS Packaging
Router Memory
Router Performance
NM/WIC/VWIC Compatibility (the module xref I posted earlier)

The Integrated Service Routers Quick Look is nice if you win the lottery and want to build a home lab with New Equipment like the 1800/2800/3800 series routers.

sides14

Knowing what I know now, I would have spent money on switches and used Dynamips for the routers. Early on I was too concerned about buying routers and what I should have done was save the money on the routers and buy 3550 switches.