Post Your Lab (PICS)

Hey Everyone,
I couldn't find any other thread similar to this after searching for a while, so I wanted to get one going. It would be great if everyone could post pictures of their current home or work lab (Big or Small). Hopefully we can get the CCNP/CCIE folks to post in here as well.

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FloOz

Here's and update on my lab.

2x 2950s
1x 2610XM
2x 2514s
1x 2610XM (Frame Relay)

My next investment is definitely going to be a digicm32 access server and 2x 3550s.

flooz-albums-lab+pics-picture3363-2x-2950s-1x-2610xm-2x-2514s-1x-2610xm-frame-relay-12-27-12.jpg

MAC_Addy

ciscoman2012 wrote: »

Don't tell me that's an HP Procurve as your main switch in the smaller rack. I hate them with a passion! lol

It is. I've never had any problems with HP products.

f0rgiv3n

I've gotta say.. some of these home labs are INSANE! It makes me crack up LOL. I can't even imagine the amount of heat some of these pump out... I only have:
2x2950
2x3550
and GNS3

That got me through my CCNP Route+Switch+Tshoot...

FloOz

It's not just a matter of passing the exam and being done with it, at least for me it's not. Personally, I have used gns3 and packet tracer however I find them to get boring and dull. Learning in a home lab environment teaches you so much more and gives you valuable experience (if you are not already in a networking role that is). You run into many more technical issues when using a home lab that you otherwise would never have learned by using a network simulator. I have had the opportunity to speak with 2 CCIE's and they both told me the same thing, that getting a home lab is invaluable for someone who is trying to break into a networking role. So honestly an electrical bill is the least of my worries, not that my lab consumes that much anyways

lol

LinuxRacr

^^^^Agreed. Without my home lab, there are concepts I would not have understood in my endeavor for more knowledge. The stuff I've learned this year has applied directly to my job. And if you are worried about your lab consuming power, turn everything on only when you need to use it..

DevilWAH

I have always been lucky in having lots of spare equipment at work to play with. So my home labs have never been that impressive. One of the companies I worked at had a complete server room dedicated to study that you could help you self to the equipment.
GNS3 is fine for routers, but you need real switches to study switching, and to learn STP you need 3 or 4 minimum to see it working in action.

Patel128

I do agree with having physical gear. I love having the routers and switches sitting right next to me. I need to use a kill-a-watt and see how much power all of my gear uses. In the end, everyone should do what they think is best for me, for me its having the gear. I really need to finish up my Linux+ and get my lab all up and running. I sure do miss studying for cisco.

Roguetadhg

Shoot, Patel128, I know your feeling so. bloody. much.

It's exciting to learn about new technologies, love it. But my heart isn't in Linux... I think at this moment it's learning the commands, not theory... nothing I can 'visualize' and make it my own. Other than scripting, but I don't like programming :P

ciscoman2012

Just cleaned up my home office a bit and reorganized everything. Took a few pictures and thought I'd post them up for you guys. Most of my switches are at work in another lab there. Since I'm working on SWITCH right now I'm keeping them all at work so I can make changes throughout the day while doing labs.

Cerebro

Impressive, but you need a whiteboard to make it perfect

Skydivingcows

ciscoman2012 wrote: »

Just cleaned up my home office a bit and reorganized everything. Took a few pictures and thought I'd post them up for you guys. Most of my switches are at work in another lab there. Since I'm working on SWITCH right now I'm keeping them all at work so I can make changes throughout the day while doing labs.

Very nice setup. I just joined the site and am now able to see these great lab pictures. I like the Skeletek you have. I'm thinking about grabbing the 16U or 20U after readsing the rave reviews.

I recently acquired 6 2561XM's (6Wic-2T) and 3 2950C's along with the CM48 to start my lab.

LinuxRacr,
I purchased the CM48 and interested in how to get it up and working once everything comes in. That webpower switch could come in handy. I'll have to look into that.

ciscoman2012

Skydivingcows wrote: »

Very nice setup. I just joined the site and am now able to see these great lab pictures. I like the Skeletek you have. I'm thinking about grabbing the 16U or 20U after readsing the rave reviews.

I recently acquired 6 2561XM's (6Wic-2T) and 3 2950C's along with the CM48 to start my lab.

LinuxRacr,
I purchased the CM48 and interested in how to get it up and working once everything comes in. That webpower switch could come in handy. I'll have to look into that.

I'd def. suggest the Skeletek. The only thing I didn't like was building it once it arrived. Only took about 45 minutes though so wasn't the end of the world.

http://www.dantraknet.com/category/41

I'd suggest either the 16U or 20U. Later on you can always purchase a 8U or 10U extension to it..(if memory recalls..). That's what I'll be doing in a few months when I move my switches back into my Home rack.

Nice job with the 2651XM's. Even better that they came with 2T's installed. I always try to buy my gear with some sort of NM or WIC modules in it. Sometimes I've even bought routers (like the 3640) which I don't even need just to get the cards that are installed inside it.

LinuxRacr

Skydivingcows,

The following thread will get you up and running on your Digi, no problem:

www.techexams.net/forums/ccna-ccent/75642-digi-cm32-console-server.html

The WebPowerSwitch 6 is awesome. I can access my lab from anywhere and power up only what I need.

JustFred

Hey Guys,

How many routers and switches can you fit into the C20 Skeletek rack and would a dell 1950 also fit in?

I'm not familiar with it but are these based on inches?

Dimensions: 43" high x 24" wide x 24" deep

[/QUOTE]

ciscoman2012

JustFred wrote: »

Hey Guys,

How many routers and switches can you fit into the C20 Skeletek rack and would a dell 1950 also fit in?

I'm not familiar with it but are these based on inches?

Dimensions: 43" high x 24" wide x 24" deep

/QUOTE]

Yes those measurements are recorded in inches. All of the racks from Skeletek are named by the amount of unit space in each rack. For example, C20U = 20 1U appliances figuring you leave no open space between devices and use no rack shelfs. Keep in mind you can always add on 8, 10, or 12U expansions to the top of the rack. I would suggest starting with a 16U or 20U and then adding the expansion unit later on if you outgrow the initial rack. Unless you have a really light server I don't know if I'd feel comfortable housing it in a 2 post rack (like the Skeletek).

JustFred

Thank you for the reply and clear explanation.

I figured i will get one and also regarding the server, its a 1U server and i figured i could put it way below in the rack with a shelf underneath if that's possible.

ciscoman2012

JustFred wrote: »

Thank you for the reply and clear explanation.

I figured i will get one and also regarding the server, its a 1U server and i figured i could put it way below in the rack with a shelf underneath if that's possible.

I'm sure that would work fine the only thing I'd be worried about is it hanging way out of the rear of the rack because of the server length.

FloOz

So my work recently hooked me up with some new gear when I told them about my studies. I wish I would have told them earlier and saved myself the cash. They gave me 2x 3560s; 1x 3550; 1x 1841. 1x 2621XM; 1x 2651XM
flooz-albums-lab+pics-picture3466-1-29-13-lab-update-2x-3560-1x-3550-1x-2950-1x-1841-1x-2610xm-1x-2621xm-1x-2651xm-1x-2610xm-frame-relay.jpg

DevilWAH

FloOz wrote: »

So my work recently hooked me up with some new gear when I told them about my studies. I wish I would have told them earlier and saved myself the cash. They gave me 2x 3560s; 1x 3550; 1x 1841. 1x 2621XM; 1x 2651XM

Can't complain about that can you

you know your working for a decent company when they do things like that. enjoy it

Roguetadhg

Sweet mother of god.

DevilWAH

I just found an old 3845 CISCO

to add to the 2 X 3725's

About time I started racking.

FloOz

Yah its great. There are tons of resources here. Hopefully Ill get the promo to network engineer soon now that the network manager knows that I am working hard in my studies

Roguetadhg

I wish my work would give me Cisco stuff. All I got is this crappy Davox predictive dialer.

It's built like a tank though...

Corza

Well, I thought I might throw some pics up of what I have been piecing together over the past month or so.

I have been building it mainly to study for CCNP SWITCH.

So far it has

1x 3550
2x 2950
2x 2620's
2x 2610's
1x 2503
1x 2504
1x Digi CM32

I still need to rack mount a few devices.

I have managed to find some bargains, including the rack which was only $60! Spend around $500 so far.

Photo%2010-02-13%2020%2057%2012.jpg

TheShadow

Very nice; the rack was a steal, I am jealous, wish my skeltek had doors. I guess you had access to a truck to move it home. I see your 2950's are the G enterprise models which will help you some.

jdballinger

Nice setup! My wife would slaughter me though if I brought home a full size cabinet!

Corza

Thanks guys. My gf didn't like helping me move it, but does not mind it in my "office/study" room.

I have a ute (pickup you americans call it) so I just used that. I have been very lucky with the whole project of putting this together. Managed to get everything except the Digi in Brisbane, Australia too. I got the 3550 for $30 as its fan does not work with the EMI image. The 2950's were only $25 each.

I have been very lucky! I have a 3560 at work which I will be borrowing also to complete the switch stuff.

jimmyz80

Just finished racking up the equipment for what will be my CCIE study rack. I still need a few more cables to arrive, and then it should be all set.

JeanM

Sweet! I have the same rack

I also picked up my 2nd 3550. Replaced a couple 2620s with 2620XMs as well.

I need to clean it up / update it after I made some changes

jeanm-albums-skeletek+c28u-hd-picture3350-wiring-up.jpg

jeanm-albums-skeletek+c28u-hd-picture3350-wiring-up.jpg

FloOz

@jimmyz80 All I got to say is WOW!!! That's an awesome rack you got there