I know this has been asked before... 3550

I’m asking this because I have been finding a range of answers, and I’m getting nervous because I’m about to spend all of my lab money on switches hehe.

I’m currently getting ready to take my CCNA, but I plans to go further with my studies. At the moment, I think I’ll be using Dynamips/GNS3 for the routers in my lab, but picking up real switches.
How far will 2x3550’s and a 2950 get me?
As far as switching goes - is that enough to last from NA -> NP, and IE if I add a 3560?
Has anyone else gone this route?
Thanks for your time!

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Comments

mikej412

The R&S CCIE has gone to 4 switches, and they will soon all be 3560s in The Lab -- but a combination of 3550s and 3560s (or 3750s) should still work for a home lab. Could always try rack rental for the 3560 specific topics.

Watch out for people selling "3550 switches" on eBay that turn out to be 3500-XL switches.

If you shop and bid patiently, I've seen the real working 3550s go for as little as $125 each and 2950s for $50.

But you still may a few real routers for some things like QoS. You can do the configurations on Dynamips, but I'm not sure if they have fake hardware queues simulated.

jbrad95706

Thanks for all the info!

I have a few old 2500's kicking around, I'll have to see if I can do the QoS on them - if not, I'll have to change my plan.

So would there be any reason to have more then one 3550 then?

tiersten

jbrad95706 wrote: »

I have a few old 2500's kicking around, I'll have to see if I can do the QoS on them - if not, I'll have to change my plan.

You might want to use something a little newer that can run at least 12.4.

jbrad95706

tiersten wrote: »

You might want to use something a little newer that can run at least 12.4.

Will do.