Kicking the tires on a CCNA Lab, need input please

Greetings, I've read thru a few of the threads and also looking around on good 'ol ebay, however still wanted to get some input before buying anything.

I am in the process of looking for equipment for a CCNA lab. I would like to be able to use it based on the exercises of the Cisco books that I have bought. Would also like to upgrade to CCNA Voice and/or CCNP, if wanting to go that route in the future.

Here are some of my questions:

-What is the standard IOS?

-What is the best RAM amount to have ?

-What interface cables/cards will I need in order to connect everything together?

-Will I need an Access Server (like a 2511 router) in order to manage all of the switches and routers?

-Also how many switches and routers do I need in order to setup the lab?

Right now I'm leaning towards 2 1760 Routers, looks like they can do VOIP (thanks ITDaddy for the advice!).

thanks in advance

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Comments

RTmarc

Someone asked a similar question in another thread. I'd check out CiscoKits:

Cisco Certification: CCNA, CCNP, CCIE, used Cisco router, Cisco switch, Cisco routers.

This page especially:

http://www.ciscokits.com/cisco-lab-suggestions/

JockVSJock

RTmarc wrote: »

Someone asked a similar question in another thread. I'd check out CiscoKits:

Cisco Certification: CCNA, CCNP, CCIE, used Cisco router, Cisco switch, Cisco routers.

This page especially:

CCNA Certification: CCNA, Cisco certification, Cisco routers, Cisco switches, Ci

Thanks for the input, however word on the street is that a person can typically do better via ebay then going thru ciscokits.

Looks like their website can be used as a cost-comparison against ebay.

thanks

Turgon

JockVSJock wrote: »

Thanks for the input, however word on the street is that a person can typically do better via ebay then going thru ciscokits.

Looks like their website can be used as a cost-comparison against ebay.

thanks

You can do better on ebay than on kits providing you know what to buy. Decide on a model of router, understand the spec you need in terms of flash, dram, interfaces. Then find a reputable buyer on ebay. Make a single purchase and see how you get on. No rush to throw a lot of stuff together.

laidbackfreak

Turgon wrote: »

No rush to throw a lot of stuff together.

your not wrong there Turgon,
Jock take some time to watch a couple of auctions close and you'll get an idea of prices in your area.

RTmarc

Turgon wrote: »

You can do better on ebay than on kits providing you know what to buy. Decide on a model of router, understand the spec you need in terms of flash, dram, interfaces. Then find a reputable buyer on ebay. Make a single purchase and see how you get on. No rush to throw a lot of stuff together.

That and availability. There's been a few things I've been looking for on ebay that have been either 1) not there, 2) over priced, 3) poor quality.

JockVSJock

laidbackfreak wrote: »

your not wrong there Turgon,
Jock take some time to watch a couple of auctions close and you'll get an idea of prices in your area.

Agreed, I've got a bunch of routers/switches that I'm in the processing of watching. Will spend the next few weeks taking notes and observing.

thanks!

jbrad95706

JockVSJock wrote: »

Greetings, I've read thru a few of the threads and also looking around on good 'ol ebay, however still wanted to get some input before buying anything.

I am in the process of looking for equipment for a CCNA lab. I would like to be able to use it based on the exercises of the Cisco books that I have bought. Would also like to upgrade to CCNA Voice and/or CCNP, if wanting to go that route in the future.

Here are some of my questions:

-What is the standard IOS?

-What is the best RAM amount to have ?

-What interface cables/cards will I need in order to connect everything together?

-Will I need an Access Server (like a 2511 router) in order to manage all of the switches and routers?

-Also how many switches and routers do I need in order to setup the lab?

Right now I'm leaning towards 2 1760 Routers, looks like they can do VOIP (thanks ITDaddy for the advice!).

thanks in advance

I've been working on my lab, and in a round about way asking a lot of the same questions.

1. For ios version / feature questions www.cisco.com/go/fn (Thanks to dtlokee)

2. As far as ram goes, I'm not going to be much help, but the it never hurts to have extra. As long as you can run the ios you need I would think that would be enough for a home lab.

3. Cables, etc... Here is a good post from the faq! I just picked up a 1FT Back to Back DCE/DTE DB60 Crossover Cable for my 2520's.

4. You don't need the 2511, but it wouldn't hurt. I wouldn't get cheap with other gear to fit this in though.

5. I don't know exactly how many switches you will need, but I'm going with 3 switches - 2x 2950's w/EI (Enhanced Image) and a 3550 EMI (for NP L3 Switch) / PWR (for Voice down the road). As far as routers, at the moment I plan to do a lot of routing with GNS3 / Dynamips - You will need access to ios's for that though. ** Whatever you do don't put your ios's on a public ftp server, or people will be able to find and download them using search terms like "c7200 bin" on sites like MODERATED

The 26xxXM router was recommened for something that would last into the NP, but I don't know about using them for voip...

: Oh, and try to get the routers with the voice mods in them if you can, from what I can tell they cost a grip on their own.

I would also take a look at this post.

mikej412

Not sure how or why your link got mangled and is invalid....

jbrad95706 wrote: »

1. For ios version / feature questions this is a great site!

Use the shortcut

www.cisco.com/go/fn

or go straight to Cisco Feature Navigator - Cisco Systems

jbrad95706 wrote: »

Whatever you do don't put your ios's on a public ftp server, or people will be able to find and download them using search terms like "c7200 bin" on sites like MODERATED

If you had said Google I wouldn't have had to moderate it

But then your warning to avoid software pirates should mention web server in addition to ftp server.

jbrad95706

mikej412 wrote: »
Not sure how or why your link got mangled and is invalid....

Use the shortcut
www.cisco.com/go/fn
or go straight to Cisco Feature Navigator - Cisco Systems

If you had said Google I wouldn't have had to moderate it But then your warning to avoid software pirates should mention web server in addition to ftp server.

Yea, I don't know what I did when I messed up the Cisco link. I had mentioned the ftp search engine because it crawls ftp servers specifically; however, I imagine web servers could host files like this as well - I'll keep that link to myself.

Turgon

Good lad. Mike is just giving you some friendly advice. He's very good like that.