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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JayFR

Hey guys, I have been lurking for a bit getting ideas for a lab (going for CCNA at this time and looking towards CCNP Sec. direction after). I apologize if this is not the correct place but figured it was less intrusive then cluttering up the forum with an entire thread to asking for advice...

The build I currently thinking is:

Cisco 2950 x3
Dell Poweredge III (for server hands on and VMware stuff in future)
Netgear NAS (I happen to have this already)
Digi 48 port

Any recommendation for Cisco routers? And a rack to fit it all that is not $350? I have checked out the lack rack concept and the guitar gear racks but the hollow legs/thin metals of these concern me on weight. Thank you guys!

Nafe92014

I would reccommend 2 2811 Routers along with a couple of serial cards (for DCE and DTE purposes)

MTciscoguy

I am a big fan of the 1841 routers, they are not to expensive, they have good upgrade capabilities and run IOS 15.xx, if you look around you can actually find them for less than $50 bucks a piece and they are not expensive to upgrade.

JeanM

JayFR wrote: »

Hey guys, I have been lurking for a bit getting ideas for a lab (going for CCNA at this time and looking towards CCNP Sec. direction after). I apologize if this is not the correct place but figured it was less intrusive then cluttering up the forum with an entire thread to asking for advice...

The build I currently thinking is:

Cisco 2950 x3
Dell Poweredge III (for server hands on and VMware stuff in future)
Netgear NAS (I happen to have this already)
Digi 48 port

Any recommendation for Cisco routers? And a rack to fit it all that is not $350? I have checked out the lack rack concept and the guitar gear racks but the hollow legs/thin metals of these concern me on weight. Thank you guys!

For CCNP you'll need to look into L3 switches , 3550, 3560 etc..
For routers you can't go wrong with 1841s or 28xx series, you can get by with 26xx XM models as well for 90% of the stuff.

Xenomeow

EDITED: Seems the original image is back now. Nice looking Lab

Doyen wrote: »

Here is a reworked and updated version of my lab. It is no longer "the leaning tower of Cisco". This is its "base state" before I go crazy with my lack of cable management.

OfWolfAndMan

JayFR wrote: »

Hey guys, I have been lurking for a bit getting ideas for a lab (going for CCNA at this time and looking towards CCNP Sec. direction after). I apologize if this is not the correct place but figured it was less intrusive then cluttering up the forum with an entire thread to asking for advice...

Having a couple of switches and routers for the CCNP Sec would be good, but that's not gonna cut it. You also have to have access to an ASA (Or image), access to the next gen firewall stuff, and a copy of Cisco ISE. Look into the CCNP Sec course objectives first and then go off of that.

As for CCNA, an 1841 is my recommendation.

HAMP

Since I added a few pieces to my rack/s, I believe its time to post some new pics of it. I first ordered a small package from certificationkits because I wasn't sure of what I needed. I knew I would be adding to it as time go by. I plan to get myself to minimum level of a CCNP, and from there I'm not sure.

My first package:
1841 256/64
2801 256/64
3550
2960

In the pics below, I now have and also added some memory:
1841 256/64
2801 256/64
2811 768/128
2821 1024/64
(4) 2950
(1) 2960
(2) 3550
(2) 3750

Digi CM-48 as my terminal server. I was using the Cisco 2509, which I still have and not sure what I'm going to do with it.

Latest updates on my lab are more logical than hardware-based.

I stumbled across Duo Security's solution to two-factor authentication while looking at a viable way to give my wife VPN access to the home network. As passwords are usually the weakest link in security, I wanted to have a way to mitigate this by using a password (something you know), and an existing mobile phone (something you have). I must say that I really like the way this works, and that they make security easy to deliver and use.

Here is a link to the many integrations possible. https://www.duosecurity.com/docs

I have a Cisco router that I configured to use RADIUS for login, and an Intel NUC Linux server that acts as my RADIUS server and DuoAuthProxy server. I've also tested integrations with RDP and LINUX logins (PAM and SSH), and I am pleased. Check it out.

The push method of authentication is the simplest, and slickest method to use.

Jasiono

2 questions

1. Where the heck are you guys getting all these great deals on routers? I have 4 switches but need a router or two and I keep looking in the wrong places.

2. Besides labs and learning, what else do you guys do with these little setups?

3. Bonus question. Is it really this addicting that you went out and set up your own cool little lab? Will my wallet end up hating me soon

MTciscoguy

When I was looking for stuff, I just cruised ebay until I found something I was looking for and set a upper limit and purchased, if you want to take the time to play the ebay game, you can get some really good buys on good equipment for study. Cisco routers are a dime a dozen on ebay for really good prices. I also look through craigslist once in a while, drop by the local second hand stores, you would be amazed at what you can find on a goodwill store shelf sometimes. If you are prudent, you can build a pretty good lab for this stuff, pretty reasonably.

LinuxRacr

Oh, and I also got new monitors, and a Synology RS814 NAS unit:

LinuxRacr

MTciscoguy is right. I found most of my equipment on Ebay and Craigslist as far as routers are concerned. I got real lucky with my timing on Craigslist though.

Jasiono

What do you plan on doing with 12TB of HDD space lol

I have to stop looking at this thread, my wife will kill me!

MTciscoguy

Jasiono wrote: »

What do you plan on doing with 12TB of HDD space lol

I have to stop looking at this thread, my wife will kill me!

I could find it real easy to use 12TB of HDD space, heck I have just upgraded my NAS to 2 4TB drives for backing up my home network.

HAMP

Jasiono wrote: »

2 questions

1. Where the heck are you guys getting all these great deals on routers? I have 4 switches but need a router or two and I keep looking in the wrong places.

At first I didn't know what to buy. I did know I needed or would like to have some switches and routers, but still was rather lost. I went to a cool site and ordered a package and upgraded that, and at the time, I thought I spent a good price. Since then, and now knowing what I want and need, I went onto craigslist and ebay and really saved some money. Since that first package, I have bought twice as many items, and saved half the money from that original order.

2. Besides labs and learning, what else do you guys do with these little setups?

That is the only reason I bought mine. I love hands on experience and there is nothing like the real equipment. I plan to just keep going with it all, and that is the other reason I bought them.

3. Bonus question. Is it really this addicting that you went out and set up your own cool little lab? Will my wallet end up hating me soon ?

I hate to say it, but it happened to me. It became a little addicting and I bought a few upgrades that I'm sure I wouldn't really have needed. Ebay provided some darn low prices for the upgrades and I jumped on them.

an example, I maxed out the memory on all of my routers, when what I had was sufficient. I found some memory on ebay for $4 a stick.
another example, I'm pretty sure Optical connections isn't on any test, but the add-ons I found we nearly free... lol

I can give more, but that is my testimony to a little addiction to it.

And yes, my wallet looks at me funny!

To me, my best add-on was my Digi CM-48. Without a doubt, it made my studying and learning with the equipment so much easier.

Jasiono

I would LOVE to set up a storage device and be able to access it outside my house.

MTciscoguy

Jasiono wrote: »

I would LOVE to set up a storage device and be able to access it outside my house.

That is not hard to do, the NAS I set up a couple of weeks ago, allows me to access it online.

Jasiono

MTciscoguy wrote: »

That is not hard to do, the NAS I set up a couple of weeks ago, allows me to access it online.

What is entailed?
Do you need to set up your own server with access being granted to it through certain credentials?
This is something I'm planning on doing just to do. I think it'll give me some great experience and learning.

MTciscoguy

Jasiono wrote: »

What is entailed?
Do you need to set up your own server with access being granted to it through certain credentials?
This is something I'm planning on doing just to do. I think it'll give me some great experience and learning.

Nope, no server involved, it is all built into the NAS, all I did was load it with the drives, then plugged it into my router, it went through its set up routines, then put me on the main page for the NAS, where I choose the online access options and set up username and password as and admin user.

Very simple and quick to get it set up.

Jasiono

Newegg is getting another order. Blah

MTciscoguy

I just purchase a cheap Lenovo unit for $59 with no drives, because I had a set of drives already, been one of the easiest things I have ever set up on the network.

Jasiono

Is there a brand you might recommend? I see so many and the prices vary greatly. It seems like the most common ones come with only 2 bays for HDDs.

MTciscoguy

Like I said, I picked up a Lenovo 2 bay without drives, the Model number is IX2-DL will handle two 4TB drives, which normally is more than enough for a home network, I am backing up 7 computers on it and it is working out great.

Jasiono

Woops, I didn't see your post, sorry about that. I will check them out and do more reading. My brain is just on overdrive right now studying for the ICND exams.

doctore

My Lab:

lab.jpg

Deathmage

just purchased a lot of two 3750G switches with a offer bid of $350 off Ebay, so now I got 4 total along with the 3825 router, and the shlue of 3550's and 2950's and 2800's..

I got 4U of space left in my 24U Skeletek.

...look like once I get back to VCAP for the 3rd host I'll need to extend the rack

snadam

MY LAB! Figured I take a pic or two before I trash it very soon

Rundown (Top down):

- 2x SRX 100B
- 2x SRX 210H
- 1x J2330 (upside down)
- 1x SSG 100
- 1x ASA 5505
- 1x Digi CM32 (seriously awesome device)
- 2x Netbooks running Kali Linux (not pictured)

Everything else is from my old CCNA lab that I haven't touched in a long while.

IMG_20150331_185353.jpg

IMG_20150331_185405.jpg

DoubleNNs

You're trashing it? Why not sell it?

Cisco Inferno

snadam wrote: »

MY LAB! Figured I take a pic or two before I trash it very soon

Rundown (Top down):

- 2x SRX 100B
- 2x SRX 210H
- 1x J2330 (upside down)
- 1x SSG 100
- 1x ASA 5505
- 1x Digi CM32 (seriously awesome device)
- 2x Netbooks running Kali Linux (not pictured)

Everything else is from my old CCNA lab that I haven't touched in a long while.

Trash that Digi CM32 this way! No seriously, I'll buy it.

MTciscoguy

I will buy that Digi Cm32 from you if you are interested in NOT trashing it.