ccna/ccnp lab hardware

[chronic9]

i would like to buy a home lab, I think GNS3 is amazing, but there is a lot of limitation

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cisco-CCNA-...48294?pt=US_Wired_Routers&hash=item1e64cfa386

i am thinking of this package, but to buy all the pieces individually, all the bundle offers are over priced

I am using INE.com for my studies, and for the CCNA they created a topology of 5 routers and 3 switches.

 

[/usr/home]

So what's your question?

 

[moose517]

if your interested i've got a few routers and switches for sale, perfect for the CCNA/NP. I havent' updated my for sale post on here in a while but over on EVGA i have it updated.

 

[tangoseal]

I have a Cisco 3750E 24 port with 2 10gb ports I will sell you for like $1700. But hey it will be a nice router for you to use for years and years to come hahah

 

[Innocence]

I did all my CCNA with Packet Tracer - it can be done.

CCNP I would still want some hardware.

 

[jahsoul]

I have a Cisco 3750E 24 port with 2 10gb ports I will sell you for like $1700. But hey it will be a nice router for you to use for years and years to come hahah

LOL. *looks at my 3560E with X2 modules and pats it*

Anyway, what are you looking for specifically? Since you said CCNP, I would focus on that. If I was going for the NP, I wouldn't use anything less than a 2600xm for routers and at least 3550 & 3560s for switches. The prices of 3550s are where the 2950 was around 3 years ago, so I would get those and are around the same price, if not cheaper than 2960s.

I also have a 2951 PoE for $1400 with UC, Data, and Sec license if you want to make that jump. lol

 

[chronic9]

so this is my shopping list:

- 2 x Cisco 2610XM (128/32Flash)

- 1 Cisco 2611XM (128/32Flash)

- 1 x c2621XM (128/32Flash)

- 1 x Cisco 2620

- 1 Cisco 2501- 2 x Cisco 2610XM (128/32Flash)

- 1 Cisco 2611XM (128/32Flash)

- 1 x c2621XM (128/32Flash)

- 1 x Cisco 2620

- 1 Cisco 2501

all of these i found for 300 as a bundle deal, but i am sure i can get the price down even further....

go with 3 EMI 3550s
i was looking on ebay and a lot of them dont come with gbic's, so i guess i will have to buy 3 of them as well.
and then a terminal server, whichever i can get for cheapest

is this setup okay?

once i pass the ccna, i will re-evaluate my setup and sell/buy more pieces.

 

[jahsoul]

That sounds good but why do you need GBICs for the lab; just for general knowledge? Everything looks good thought but once you get into CCNP, you will probably be getting rid of the 2500s and non XM 2600s. Also, what kind of terminal server are you looking for? I actually have both a 2511 and NM-16A (router module) that I used for my terminal server before I bought the HWIC-16A.

 

[chronic9]

i was looking at a 2511, i figure for ccna the 8 ports will be enough, but then id need more for ccnp.
wanna sell the 2511?

 

[B1zz]

assuming you have the time and correct IOS files, all of this can be setup inside GNS3/dynamips. it's remarkably stable these days.
I'm currently studying NP Route and it does everything I need it to do. invest a little more time and you can get PIX/ASA stuff running on Pemu/Qemu and working within the virtual lab.
a decent quad core box with modern amounts of RAM can easily handle a 5+ router lab so long as the IdlePC values are setup correctly. you're obviously not going to get anywhere near "line speed". but all the routing protocols run within their normal timers and act correctly in a real IOS environment.

just my 2 cents.

 

[Ur_Mom]

i was looking at a 2511, i figure for ccna the 8 ports will be enough, but then id need more for ccnp.
wanna sell the 2511?

If he doesn't, I have one I could sell (with the octal cable).

 

[chronic9]

assuming you have the time and correct IOS files, all of this can be setup inside GNS3/dynamips. it's remarkably stable these days.
I'm currently studying NP Route and it does everything I need it to do. invest a little more time and you can get PIX/ASA stuff running on Pemu/Qemu and working within the virtual lab.
a decent quad core box with modern amounts of RAM can easily handle a 5+ router lab so long as the IdlePC values are setup correctly. you're obviously not going to get anywhere near "line speed". but all the routing protocols run within their normal timers and act correctly in a real IOS environment.

just my 2 cents.

I absolutely love GNS3, but you cant setup VLANs. I had it running perfect on my 17" MBP, i think that GNS3 is a wonderful suite of software

 

[awesomo]

I absolutely love GNS3, but you cant setup VLANs.

As with most things, there is a creative way around this.

Add the "NM-16ESW" module to a router and you will be able to do most anything you'd need to for the CCNP studies.

A second option (which I also do), Get a few layer 2 and layer three switches and drop a 4 port network card in a test box. You can trunk gns3 to the outside world, use the switches to do your configurations, and send data back to your computer.

Both solutions are not ideal, but beat buying everything you listed (if you have a desktop that is)