Do I need a real lab for CCENT? Or just use packet tracer?

Hey guys,

The reason why I'm asking is because my rooms pretty small. Sadly, I just don't have the room... although if its really NEEDED, I can attempt to make the room. Maybe put it under my desk or something like that. My plan was to get 1-2 routers and 1-2 switches. I WISH I could room for a server

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cpartin

PT or GNS3 will be fine. It's nice to have real hardware, but it's not necessary.

RodneyMcKay

You can do everything with PT, kit isn't needed.

Personally, I like having all the kit to play with but everyone has a different opinion.

jerseyIT92

RodneyMcKay wrote: »

You can do everything with PT, kit isn't needed.

Personally, I like having all the kit to play with but everyone has a different opinion.

Yeah, I'd really like to have one for messing around. I gotta see, maybe I can fit at least one router and one switch.

ssnyderu2

I personally prefer to have the physical equipment, but that is just me. If space or money is a big concern, then PT or GNS3 will work. That being said, with the rack I have, 3 switches and 3 routers, I spent about $350.00 and they take up 2 square feet of space. It fits easily under a table or desk. With out the rack it would take up less space, height wise.

EDIT: If you just went with 1 router and 1 switch, not much space at all.

jerseyIT92

ssnyderu2 wrote: »

I personally prefer to have the physical equipment, but that is just me. If space or money is a big concern, then PT or GNS3 will work. That being said, with the rack I have, 3 switches and 3 routers, I spent about $350.00 and they take up 2 square feet of space. It fits easily under a table or desk. With out the rack it would take up less space, height wise.

EDIT: If you just went with 1 router and 1 switch, not much space at all.

Yeah true. I might just put it under my desk F it. Run the cables up from the bottom.

jerseyIT92

Can anyone recommend a few good choices? Looking to spend no more than 150.00 USD (hopefully)

ssnyderu2

Tech Exam member clarson has a 3 router 2 switch lab for $250.00 free shipping, it wont take up much space and will let you do anything needed for CCENT/CCNA. I bought my lab from him and he is trustworthy. Check out the link below and PM him if interested.

http://www.techexams.net/forums/off-topic/3161-sale-34.html

hurricane1091

I got the CCNA labbing with sims. I have real equipment actually, just don't really use it. Can create more robust environments in simulation software without worrying about physical equipment limitations. Either method will work good though.

jerseyIT92

If I bought an ASA, would that be good? Was looking at a 5505

J_86

jerseyIT92 wrote: »

If I bought an ASA, would that be good? Was looking at a 5505

CCENT doesn't cover anything with the ASA. ASA would still be great to have if you are planning on going after the CCNA Security.
The latest version of packet tracer has the ability to use an ASA.

jerseyIT92

J_86 wrote: »

CCENT doesn't cover anything with the ASA. ASA would still be great to have if you are planning on going after the CCNA Security.
The latest version of packet tracer has the ability to use an ASA.

So for the CCENT an ASA would be useless pretty much?

clarson

Well, an asa is pretty much a firewall appliance. so it does do switching and routing. but it doesn't run ios software. so the syntax of the commands aren't the same or the output. The asa is more needed for the security certifications. And, does cost about $200. where, depending on what you buy, you could get a 2 switches and 2 routers for that. So, an asa for the ccna isn't a good choice. But, if it is cheap enough, maybe not a bad purchase

quickman007

Personally, I'd say don't use Packet Tracer. There shouldn't be any reason why you can't get the full IOS to play with. If real equipment isn't available, use GNS3, it emulates the real thing.

jerseyIT92

clarson wrote: »

Well, an asa is pretty much a firewall appliance. so it does do switching and routing. but it doesn't run ios software. so the syntax of the commands aren't the same or the output. The asa is more needed for the security certifications. And, does cost about $200. where, depending on what you buy, you could get a 2 switches and 2 routers for that. So, an asa for the ccna isn't a good choice. But, if it is cheap enough, maybe not a bad purchase

ahh, I see. Alright, sounds good. I'm picking up a server today, so I may only be able to get 1 router and 1 switch. I'll have to wait until I get paid to pick up 2 more.

mikeybinec

YES YOU NEED PHYSICAL EQUIPMENT!! Why? Because you need to know how to construct cables and plug them in
and stuff like that.. And it's fun.

And yes, I also recommend Tech exam member clarson for equip buys

Dont be a lamer and use Packet Tracer--If you need to construct a topology, you wouldn't have the slightest idea what to do

jerseyIT92

mikeybinec wrote: »

YES YOU NEED PHYSICAL EQUIPMENT!! Why? Because you need to know how to construct cables and plug them in
and stuff like that.. And it's fun.

And yes, I also recommend Tech exam member clarson for equip buys

Dont be a lamer and use Packet Tracer--If you need to construct a topology, you wouldn't have the slightest idea what to do

It's not about being "lame", it's about space.

NetworkNewb

mikeybinec wrote: »

YES YOU NEED PHYSICAL EQUIPMENT!! Why? Because you need to know how to construct cables and plug them in
and stuff like that.. And it's fun.

lol, it definitely isn't needed for CCENT. It's kind of nice to just play around and see how it works on live equipment. But you definitely do not need live equipment.

And pretty sure you can work on constructing topologies a lot more on PT. At least in most cases you can, unless you can afford and have the space for a ton of equipment...

Best of luck with the CCENT!

jerseyIT92

NetworkNewb wrote: »

lol, it definitely isn't needed for CCENT. It's kind of nice to just play around and see how it works on live equipment. But you definitely do not need live equipment.

And pretty sure you can work on constructing topologies a lot more on PT. At least in most cases you can, unless you can afford and have the space for a ton of equipment...

Best of luck with the CCENT!

Thanks man. Just got the CCNA book yesterday. It's about 600 pages, so may take a little bit.

ssnyderu2

jerseyIT92 wrote: »

Thanks man. Just got the CCNA book yesterday. It's about 600 pages, so may take a little bit.

The book I got covers both ICND1 and ICND2, I really wish it was broken up into 3 or 4 volumes to make them easier to manage.

xocity

I did my CCENT with a LAB while I was at home but used packet tracer to study on the go. I know there are remote options but its just really convenient to have a virtual lab setup as well. If you work with GNS3 you can integrate some hardware and software. I say play around with both options to get familiar with everything.

jerseyIT92

ssnyderu2 wrote: »

The book I got covers both ICND1 and ICND2, I really wish it was broken up into 3 or 4 volumes to make them easier to manage.

Yeah, same here. It breaks it up into ICND1 and ICND2, it's huge. I feel like I'm never going to get all of it read lol.

Nightflier101BL

I personally prefer physical equipment. You run into issues that you wouldn't normally see with GNS3 or Packet Tracer, like broken cables, how to construct or purchase a crossover cable, configuring clocking on the DCE end of a serial connection, etc. I tried setting up GNS3 a while ago and found that I spent too much time just trying to configure the software and tweaking performance. I read too many posts of people having issues, plus Packet Tracer was limited in some aspects since it's a simulation. I didn't know enough at the time to realize if an issue was because of mis-configuration or limitation of the software. Besides, I just liked the feel of the clicking the cables into the ports. The whiring, whining, clicking and blinking lights just felt more real to me.

What I didn't really enjoy with real equipment was the constant reorganizing of lab topologies. I basically just set up a clean config with hostnames and passwords, logging sync, etc. and saved it to flash and was able to reload it when I wanted to try something else. But still, had to draw out diagrams and reconfigure the cables and whatnot. I'd always spend 10 or 15 minutes figuring out what I wanted to do with the stuff before I actually began labbing anything.

But if space is an issue, I'd use GNS3. I think it's come a little ways since I was messing with it. Just gotta find an IOS image somewhere.

[Deleted User]

You may want to consider some equipment. You may not need it for CCENT but for future certs should you choose to like CCNP or any specialization track, you will need some hardware.

MTciscoguy

Just as information, I currently have over 5 gigs of IOS images, for many routers and switches..