GNS3 for routing, what about switching?

Sup Cisco people!

So I've begun on my Cisco track. I've read both ICND1 and ICND2 books and countless labs using GNS3 (I'm too cheap at the moment to buy a bunch of equipment).

GNS3 is great for routing but I think I'm missing out on hands when it comes to switching. Anyone using any free emulators for the switches?

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Comments

networker050184

There are currently no emulators for switches as the switching is done in hardware. The closest you will get is a switching module in Dynamips, but I wouldn't rely on that for cert study.

You could try out a simulator, but a couple 2950s would probably be around the same price as a quality simulator.

kerbydogg

Ya if I'm gonna spend money, i'll buy the actual hardware.

I was just hoping there was some kinda free simulator/emulators for switches. Honestly I think GNS3 for routing is pretty awesome for CCNA level. We'll see if this holds true for CCNP/CCIE.

tiersten

GNS3 is just a GUI frontend to dynamips. dynamips works because it is emulating the software only based routers. There isn't any special routing or switching hardware in there.

ColbyG

A lot of people lay down the cash for some switches and trunk them to Dynamips.

Morty3

I bought my catalyst 2900 for 300sek (28 euro) off ebay. Pick 2 of those up, and you are able to do STP, VLANs, playing around with trunking, some switchport security, etc. i.e, everything for ICND 1 & 2.

tiersten

Morty3 wrote: »

I bought my catalyst 2900 for 300sek (28 euro) off ebay. Pick 2 of those up, and you are able to do STP, VLANs, playing around with trunking, some switchport security, etc. i.e, everything for ICND 1 & 2.

A 2900XL isn't ideal because of the differences in command syntax. A 2950 would be the oldest/cheapest switch you'd want.

Daniel333

A mix of 2950s and 2924s worked well for me.

nel

i would go for 2-3 2950's. These can be used towards a bcmsn lab too with a few extra additions (l3 switch)

mattrgee

I used 3 2950's and a few 1721 routers, but to be honest I did most of the routing scenarios in GNS3.