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Lab Advice
THA_DOC
Member Posts: 99 ■■■□□□□□□□
in CCNA & CCENT
I am now considerate buy my own lab. I currently have a old Cisco 2500 and 2600 router in storage. I am going to test this weekend to see if they work and have IOS. If not my friend says he can download the IOS. With that in mind, IF I purchase a Cisco 2621 64/16 and two Cisco Catalyst 2950 24 port.
Will this be efficient for study up to the CCNP level?
Will this be efficient for study up to the CCNP level?
An Open Mind, Working to Get IT!:cheers:
DOC
DOC
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SharkDiver
Member Posts: 844
I was able to earn my CCNA and CCNP with just a few 2950s and a few 2611s. I also used Boson simulators. You don't need thousands of dollars of equipment. You just need to know the material. -
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alxx
Member Posts: 755
Plenty of options , a lot depends on how you learn.
And even if you get routers you should be familiar with packet tracer and gsn3.
cbt nuggets gsn3 video
http://www.cbtnuggets.com/standalone?video=/freevideo/csco_642_902_02.mp4
Few to have a read of
http://www.techexams.net/forums/ccna-ccent/72553-lab-equipment-recommendations-2012-a.html
http://www.techexams.net/forums/ccna-ccent/72960-starting-ccna-home-lab-advice.html
gsn3 can not emulate switches, only routers.
Even if you do buy routers, you don't need to spend more than $300 for 3 routers and 3 switches
Trick is to take your time , don't be in a hurry.
Also make sure to do some research on whats suitable for ccna and ccnp today.
When looking at threads and posts make sure they are recent and up to date.
What was good a few years ago is not suitable today.
Avoid 2500's to old and can't run recent ios versions.
Some 2500 models can be used as access servers or for frame relay use.
Lab Gear
Also a good read is Wendel's lab series
https://www.networkworld.com/community/blog/ccna-lab-series-2011-overview
https://www.networkworld.com/community/CCNA-Lab-2011-2
https://www.networkworld.com/community/blog/ccna-lab-iii-sifting-through-router-model-ser
https://www.networkworld.com/community/blog/ccna-lab-iv-choosing-ios-version-and-feature-
https://www.networkworld.com/community/blog/ccna-lab-part-v-ruling-out-or-2500-and-2600
https://www.networkworld.com/community/blog/ccna-lab-series-part-6-best-router-ccna-2011
https://www.networkworld.com/community/blog/ccna-lab-part-7-choosing-right-switch-models
https://www.networkworld.com/community/blog/ccna-lab-part-8-how-many-switches-and-which-oGoals CCNA by dec 2013, CCNP by end of 2014