CCNA Gear

[kevinzak]

I'm soon going to begin studying for the CCNA exam, and I want to start acquiring the appropriate hardware that I will need to start learning the basics (obviously I'm buying materials besides just hardware, but I do learn best from hands on things). Can I get some recommendations as to what I should buy, as well as where I could buy it for a decent price? I don't have a huge budget, but I do know it is important to my future so I'm willing to spend some money.

 

[ElvisG]

I would likely recommend a local Community College that offers the Cisco Academia, first. This way you can pay $40 and have all the free time (as long as your professor allows it) on real Cisco equipment without spending the money.

If this isn't an option, then you have 2 choices. One is simulation software. The second is hardware. I'm not going to talk about simulation because you can Google and find all the information you want.

As for the hardware, you can pass the CCNA with just a router only. From my experience, I think it's best for 2 router's and 1 switch. Picking a switch is the easy part. The CCNA exam uses the 2950 series. This can be had for $50 - $150 depending on what model. As for the router, well that's a little bit harder. There is a lot of options on models. I personally have 4x 2520's router's so I could follow along with Brian from Train Signal.

Here is some links to get you started.

http://www.ciscokits.com/cisco-lab-suggestions/

http://www.techexams.net/forums/ccna-ccent/6434-ccna-faq-please-read-before-posting.html

 

[QHalo]

If you're still looking for equipment when I return from this outting I'm on, I have a router setup that I'd be willing to part with cheap that I used for my CCNA. If you're interested shoot me a PM.

 

[Easius]

I used a couple 2650s and a switch. It's not that bad, really.