Is Buying Boson NetSim 8.0 Worth It for CCENT?

I already have Cisco Packet Tracer 5.3.
I already have GNS3 installed and working.

However, I was thinking about buying the Boson NetSim 8.0 packages primarily for their Lab Workbooks.
I see a lot of free lab workbooks for the CCNA collective, but rarely see any w/ labs broken down by ICND1/ICND2. On top of that, I'm aware that a lot of free material is often old or incomplete. Also, there's the old adage of "You get what you pay for."

For 1) People who have recently passed the CCENT or 2) People who have bought the Boson NetSim 8.0 packages and are able to review it - do you think paying, essentially just for lab workbooks, would be worth the price tag?

I'm hoping to sit the exam in 2-3 weeks. I've been studying for a while, but I don't feel confident at tackling the actual exam just yet.

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Comments

NetworkVeteran

I own Boson Netsim 8.0. "I'm aware a lot of free material is often old or incomplete." This applies equally to Boson Netsim 8.0. Although, the (old) CCNA has not changed much in the last few years, so that's really not much of a knock. But, if you've already gone to the trouble of setting up GNS3, I'd probably just go ahead and use that. You can find "Free CCNA Workbook" online for free. Another option is to access Browning's labs plus rack rentals for $30/mo. Not that Boson Netsim 8.0 is bad. It's certainly plenty, too.

DoubleNNs

I was trying to say that I already have software to practice on. Honestly, I think my biggest concern is fighting time while on the exam and the troubleshooting sims where something is broken, you have to determine what, and then need to fix it. With Packet Tracer/GNS3 I can practice configuring things but it's harder to practice fixing things that are broken.
That's pretty much why I wanted to buy NetSim - just for the labs it includes.

I actually have no idea what kind of labs it includes however - don't know if they are what I'm looking for or whether or not they'll actually be helpful. So I'm asking more in concern about the labs themselves as opposed to the software.

Souljacker

I didn't get any additional labs - just used CCNAin60days and the odom guide with PT and ended up acing the test. My advice is this:

Build yourself a real network in those simulators. I mean really build one, treat it like SimCity for Cisco. Add various topologies, experiment with the different add on interfaces, and above all, practice really looking at what you built using the show commands. Once you are really comfortable looking at the different screens, adding the interfaces, and making it all work together in a medium to large network, you are ready for part 1.

I'd also stay away from naming things like Router1 and Switch3. Use names that you can visualize easily. I work for a company that does finance software for government so I broke my networks into segments like I would in a real office - Tax Office, Utility, Finance, etc.

When you are staring at Router1 versus switch35 it can be hard to visualize how this network is moving packets in real terms. Give yourself some real users and install things on their PCs to personalize them. Another thing I found helpful was when I built a topology on a specific concept that I thought I would have trouble remembering the commands for, I used the labels option to actually write out the commands near the routers or switches I had put it on, along with the IP addresses I gave everything and printed it out to be part of my notes. PT is great for that. You can get your entire topology and your notes in one place.

Good luck on the test!

sigsoldier

I imagine you won't stop at CCENT, so just purchase the CCNA Netsim to plan for the future if you go that route. It also has ICND1 labs on it. I downloaded it to use for ICND2, but haven't really played around with it yet.

If you are trying to save moeny, I think you will be fine without it, especially if you already have PT and GNS3.

I know you've been studying for awhile. Trust yourself! You will be fine!

bbarrick

I'm thinking about buying the CCNA kit when they release the version for the new CCENT/CCNA tests. I know you can buy it now and upgrade for free later on, but I'm not quite ready for it yet.

NetworkVeteran

DoubleNNs wrote: »

With Packet Tracer/GNS3 I can practice configuring things but it's harder to practice fixing things that are broken.
That's pretty much why I wanted to buy NetSim - just for the labs it includes.

The focus in the NetSim 8.0 ICND1/ICND2 labs is on basic configuration and show commands, as on the actual exam. They do include four troubleshooting labs that I see: Confirming the Network Configuration, Troubleshooting EIGRP, Troubleshooting RIP, and Troubleshooting Frame Relay. The EIGRP one had a single, simple misconfiguration I spent 10 minutes chasing down. (It might have taken shorter had I read their instructions/hints, or longer if had answered all their questions.) Again, I feel this is too little content for someone who already has GNS3 setup, given FreeCCNAWorkbook or HowToNet's labs are more affordable. I have no concerns about you passing the sims on the real exam if you complete all the NetSim 8.0 labs (or the others).

DoubleNNs

Okay, sounds like I should simply save my money.

I'll do some more reading, then extensive labbing in GNS3 (Packet Tracer for Switching.) I'm in the middle of Odom's book now (finished CCENT for Dummies and half of Todd Lammle's book) and his book has sections that indicate what to look for when troubleshooting certain problems. I think in addition to practicing configuring, I'll take special note of those specific sections. I'll try to memorize most of the symptoms and also see if I can recreate some of the problems w/ the emu/simulators.

Thanks for everyone's input.

Khaos1911

So what's the difference between GNS3 and Packet Tracer? Do I need GNS3? I have Packet Tracer already. About to start studying for my CCENT/CCNA (again, *long sigh*)

DoubleNNs

GNS3 is an emulator instead of a simulator. It actually runs using REAL Cisco IOS - so any command supported by IOS is available from GNS3. it's pretty much the same as using a terminal to configure real equipment.
However, that's not to say GNS3 doesn't have it's limits. For example, the biggest advantage GNS3 has is that you can configure real and other virtual hardware to work w/ it - such as using virtualbox to create real hosts connected to your GNS3 topology. You can connect real physical routers/switches to your topology. But there's a big learnign curve (that I haven't passed yet) to simply get everything up and running. On top of that, out of box it doesn't allow you to do any managed switching. Because of this, most people simply use GNS3 to learn routing and that's it.

Packet Tracer is a simulator. it's not real IOS software, but it's designed to look like it is. It supports almost every command needed for the test, and actually makes learning easier by getting rid of some clutter that could confuse people new to IOS. It also allow for switching straight out the box and a few other features you'd have to config yourself in GNS3. However, packet tracer isn't expandable.

I'm not sure if I explained the differences cohesively.. or even correctly. But so far, in the middle fo studying for the CCENT that's what I gather the difference between the 2 are. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

DoubleNNs

To answer your other question:

Khaos1911 wrote: »

Do I need GNS3?

No. Packet Tracer should be sufficient for CCNA studies. But I do personally prefer GNS3 over Packet Tracer, but mostly because I have a Mac, which runs GNS3 natively (and I don't like opening up Virtual Windows just to use packet tracer).

Khaos1911

Oh cool. My primary/personal computer is a Mac, but my work computer is a pc and I don't mind pulling that out to run packet Tracer. Thanks for the info.

DeezyFF

DoubleNNs you seem more prepared for CCNA than I am you should probably just take CCNA and save your money. You would crush the cisco test if you took it now from the labbing you have talked about. I have been kind of dragging my feet on the labbing a little with the different WAN technologies. I'm brush up on them this week and take my test next friday hopefully.

jmfd

Good to know that GNS3 will work with real hardware. I have half a lab of equipment an would love to "emulate" the other half.

NetworkVeteran

DoubleNNs wrote: »

I'm not sure if I explained the differences cohesively.. or even correctly. But so far, in the middle fo studying for the CCENT that's what I gather the difference between the 2 are. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

That's a decent break-down. I'd add one note--due to its real IOS and expandability, GNS3 is valuable for more advanced certifications such as the CCNP or CCIE, whereas Packet Tracer is not. If you go further, you'll be happy you learned GNS3. On the other hand, f you don't go further, you will have wasted some time figuring out how to get it up and running. I used NetSim specifically because I wanted to earn my CCNA in a weekend and spending time installing/learning GNS3 would have been a distraction.

Backpacker

DoubleNNs i am following some of your threads as well as others to see what is the best study materials.Which test are you taking?I just started studying for the100-101 test

DoubleNNs

I'm taking the old version.
I already had all the study materials for the ICND 640-822/816 so I decided to take that version as opposed to the new one. I'm confident I'll complete the exam before the expiration date, even if just barely.

Hatch1921

If you do end up buying.... this turned up in my email yesterday.... passing it on.
Hatch

Enter code 20PJL13 during checkout
and receive 20% OFF your entire order!

OR

DoubleNNs

Got that e-mail too. Thanks Hatch.
I don't know if I'll use it on the Netsim, but I might use it on their practice test.

Xyro

I was a bit hesitant to get Boson's Netsim as I was most familiar with Packet Tracer from school, but I'm glad I decided to put that hesitation aside. They had a sale during the time I went to buy it, so I also bought ExamSim. I couldn't be more content with the purchase. They have both been a great addition to my study materials.

ExamSim ended up to assist me even more than I believed it would have. It shows me everything I don't know lol.

Chitownjedi

I used this product throughout my CCNA track, CCENT/CCNA and it helped. I found it more than adequate.

WilyOne

I got the 25% Discount (Expires July 31, 2013) by "Like"ing them on FB.

I took advantage of the savings and purchased the ExSim-Max for Cisco 640-802 CCNA.