What hardware for Ciso CCENT?

Sorry if this has been posted before, I did my best to locate updated and relevant information, but perhaps my Google skills are weak. If that is the case, please ignore and simply provide me with a link.

Yes, I have plenty of reading material, both physical books and online/offline digital e-Books, **** sheets, etc... I also have several simulators & emulators. This question applies strictly to physical hardware.

That said...

I'd like to pick up a Cisco router(s) and switch(es) for my Cisco studies. I'm starting with the most recent version of Cisco's CCENT exam, ICND1 100-101. I may move into CCNA and beyond, but for now please focus on CCENT. I'm not sure what direction my studies and career may take me.

So I'm looking for advice on what hardware I should buy. I'm on a very tight budget until further notice (recently moved & unemployed), so that in mind. I need to keep this cheap/low price (best value for my dollar).

I also want to avoid eBay, I've lost too much money over the years thanks to eBay and PayPal. I don't have the luxury of continuing down that road.

For router(s), I was thinking about picking up a 2501, 2611 or 2611XM.
Which would be more useful for my purposes? Why?
Any suggestions on the memory spec's, or should I just ignore those (ie DRAM, Flash RAM)?

For switch(s), I was looking at a 1924 or 2950.
Which would be more useful for my purposes? Why?

Should I even invest in a switch for CCENT, or just focus on a physical router?

Thanks for the advice.
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Comments

martell1000

for ccent you should buy a 2950 - connect it to gns3 and you are good if you are on a budget. if you wanna buy a router 26XX should be fine but on this level its a waste of money since you can easily emulate em and connect em to your real worls switch(es)

DoubleNNs

Check the stickys in the CCNA thread.

I know 2900 switches and 1800/2600 routers were often recommended. But you'll get more info there.

JasminLandry

Honestly, I don't think you need to buy any hardware for CCENT & CCNA. I passed the exams using only Packet Tracer and GNS3 for labbing. But if you think you'll go beyond CCNA, then yes it is probably a good idea to buy something now.

OpenSource

JasminLandry wrote: »

Honestly, I don't think you need to buy any hardware for CCENT & CCNA. I passed the exams using only Packet Tracer and GNS3 for labbing. But if you think you'll go beyond CCNA, then yes it is probably a good idea to buy something now.

I think physical hardware compliments emulators and simulators.

I have some limited use of physical hardware in school, and I found it helped to keep me focused (I'm more of a hardware guy, than software), and also helped me learn more about the physical aspects of network hardware (for example, cables).

That said... It's difficult to find clear & concise answers to this question. Quite the opposite. I've found more useless information far beyond the scope of this exam and suggestions for elaborate hardware I don't need.
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OpenSource

Here is what I'm considering at the moment;

Cisco Catalyst 2950 24 Port Switch Kit

Cisco 2610XM 64/16 CCNA 12.4 Router Kit

Overkill? Not enough? Rip off?..... Any advice?
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martell1000

its under a 100 bucks and you might learn a lot from it ...

do it

but keep in mind that you might learn also from emulation - hassle free

OpenSource

martell1000 wrote: »

its under a 100 bucks and you might learn a lot from it ...

do it

but keep in mind that you might learn also from emulation - hassle free

Yeah. Money is very tight right now. Being unemployed will do that to you... So I'm opting for the emulation & simulation for the time being. I've got a few of each, so I should be good to go.

Thanks.

Admiral Akmir

I've been debating getting a lab as well, but the thing is, I'm not studying from zero knowledge, I'm almost finished with a degree in network administration, and we have used real equipment in class. Seeing that I've been taught the information and done labs in class with real equipment and packet tracer, wouldn't it make more sense to study with just packet tracer? It's not like I'm learning the concept for the first time, I just need to go back and get a better understanding of the things I've forgotten or gotten rusty on.

hansv

I bought real equipment for my CCNA plugged it in few times. Found packet tracer to be the easiest solution to quickly set up the scenarios I need to practice. I am learning how to work GNS3 for the next step, but for CCENT/ICND1 packet tracer will easily allow you to pass. The switch to GNS3 sounds like a great solution until GNS3 1.0 comes out with switch support.

mikeybinec

hansv wrote: »

I bought real equipment for my CCNA plugged it in few times. Found packet tracer to be the easiest solution to quickly set up the scenarios I need to practice. I am learning how to work GNS3 for the next step, but for CCENT/ICND1 packet tracer will easily allow you to pass. The switch to GNS3 sounds like a great solution until GNS3 1.0 comes out with switch support.

Packet Tracer DOES NOT support the log switch on access control lists and the log switch is a cisco objective. Buy some cheap 26XX type routers that will cover a large percentage of the cisco requirements. Use PT for IPV6

martell1000

mikeybinec wrote: »

Packet Tracer DOES NOT support the log switch on access control lists and the log switch is a cisco objective. Buy some cheap 26XX type routers that will cover a large percentage of the cisco requirements. Use PT for IPV6

26xx routers wont get you any benefit since you can perfectly emulate em in gns3 and they perfectly support acls

you can even get some basic switch stuff in gns3 with the nmd-16 add on in your router images

mikeybinec

martell1000 wrote: »

26xx routers wont get you any benefit since you can perfectly emulate em in gns3 and they perfectly support acls

you can even get some basic switch stuff in gns3 with the nmd-16 add on in your router images

I looked at the GNS3 and what I dont understand is the requirement that you provide your own ios..Can you explain that?

Thanks

martell1000

its a license thing, since the ios is copyrighted by cisco ... its kind of a grey area, officially you only will get the ios images if you pay for them but no one will kick your door in if you type in the imagename at google.com and hit enter ...

MrXpert

I passed my CCENT and CCNA using packet tracer. I did have a couple of bits of real hardware but to be honest found it quicker to use packet tracer. Nothing wrong with having real hardware but my advice is if you're studying for CCENT or even CCNA don't get too embroiled with it as you can achieve more bang for the buck with PT and GNS3 when learning ccent stuff.

Jon_Cisco

The reason people recommend equipment that is beyond the scope of CCENT/CCNA is that most people don't buy labs for that level.

If you are just looking for the basics and don't want to pursue networking any higher then I would try to use simulators. In the exam you will not be placed on real equipment. I decided to build a lab mostly because at the time I could afford it and I hope to go on to CCNP.

I would recommend the Cisco 1841 routers to anyone however it is overkill for just the CCNA.

Good Luck

mikeybinec

martell1000 wrote: »

its a license thing, since the ios is copyrighted by cisco ... its kind of a grey area, officially you only will get the ios images if you pay for them but no one will kick your door in if you type in the imagename at google.com and hit enter ...

! scary. Downloading a .bin.. Hope it doesn't have any nasties embedded in it

maharaliel

Why not using Cisco packet tracer. I think with the labs in CCENT/CCNA you can only use cisco packet tracer and GNS3 to practice.

[Deleted User]

Although the Cisco 1841s are overkill, they are a great investment. If your budget can afford it, I would recommnd buying a lab book for the CCNA as well.