CCNP lab hardware recommendations

[Darkstar850]

Well, its about time to start the next certification quest, ccnp.
When I worked on the CCNA, I used a sim software instead of real equipment. It wasn't bad, and it allowed me to easily pass the test, but it wasn't quite the same, and had some functionality missing and some quirks.
So for the CCNP series I would like to actually get some hardware to work with. So for those who have taken the CCNP, or those just in the know, what equipment would you recommend? It would be nice if I could get some of the big iron that we have at work, but that is just not economically feasible. I would like to keep the cost under $1000 if at all possible.

 

[Karandras]

Hey, I've been looking for equipment as well but I'm a cheap ass and I can't afford anything. There are lots of auctions out there that can give you an idea what most people have and if you want to change it or not is up to you.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=73321&item=5741873372&rd=1

Looks like 3-4 2500s plus 2-3 1912 switches and a bunch of other stuff. Makes a decent lab, gives a little bit of everything, I think he is charging too much, you might be able to buy all of them seperately cheaper or if you shop around for a different lab.

good luck!

 

[-(Xyphox)-]

Yeah, check ebay or other sites like overstock or that
or
Slickdeals.net

 

[oakfan52]

2501's can be had pretty cheap on ebay. If iwent cheap route i'd probably pickup a pair of 2501's and a 2514.

 

[Darkstar850]

Yup, I had planned on getting used equipment, likely from ebay or craigslist. What I am more looking for is recommendations on specific hardware, like would you go for 2 2500 series, a 2950 and a 1900... etc? What combo of hardware would make a good lab.

 

[Nybbles]

2501's can be had pretty cheap on ebay. If iwent cheap route i'd probably pickup a pair of 2501's and a 2514.

Dont forget to through a couple switches in there for playing with STP, VLANS, Port Trunking, etc! Catalyst 1912's for 1924's should work fine for this; just stay away from 1900's as they do not run the traditional IOS! Instead, the 1900's run a menu-based interface.

 

[oakfan52]

Dont forget to through a couple switches in there for playing with STP, VLANS, Port Trunking, etc! Catalyst 1912's for 1924's should work fine for this; just stay away from 1900's as they do not run the traditional IOS! Instead, the 1900's run a menu-based interface.

sims would work nicely for switch i'd imagion.

 

[BobSutan]

IMO that ebay auction is asking too much.

Routers: 4-5 2500s and 1 4000 or 4500 loaded with serial ports (to act as a FR switch)
Switches: 3-4 2900XL

Should all be had for $1,000 - 1,500

 

[Darkstar850]

Thanks for the suggestion, Bob, that was exactly the kind of advice I was looking for. Any specific model of the 2500 that would be best, or will just some 2501's do? I don't know too much about the lower end equipment, as we don't use it at work.

 

[oakfan52]

Thanks for the suggestion, Bob, that was exactly the kind of advice I was looking for. Any specific model of the 2500 that would be best, or will just some 2501's do? I don't know too much about the lower end equipment, as we don't use it at work.

well i said 1 2514 because you'll probably want one of the routers 9atleast ) to have some ethernet ineterfaces on it. the 1524 has 2. but to keep the costs down i'd make my addition routers be any 25xx that has a serial interface. that way you can connect them the the dte/dce cables and setup frame relay or what ever else you want to setup.

 

[BobSutan]

What model depends on what you want to practice. If you just want to play with conneting islands of LANs together, the 2501 is you're cheapest bet. For ISDN look to the 2503. And for a nice mix of things, you can get an vast assortment of interfaces for the 4000 and 4500 series. They're really the most flexible platforms for lab use.