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Home > Archive > CCNA > August 2000 > home cisco lab
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| what equipment would it take to build a small home lab. I have looked at the website that has 2 routers, cables, etc for like 2000 dollars to prepare for ccna. What kind of computers, along with the routers would I need? NT, UNIX? etc... if you could recommend any websites that have this info that would be great too. Thanks.
Robert | |
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| There is software available out there to simulate Cisco routers. Todd Lammle's e-trainer is one. If you have the money to set up a home lab, great! If not, software emulators will help a lot. | |
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There's no need to buy routers for your CCNA. This website will let you rent time on their equipment rack. $75. (I believe) for six hours of study on their equipment. Once you book a slot, they give you a password and directions, and you're in.
www.fatkid.com (weird URL) | |
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| I am planning on doing more than getting my CCNA, Right now, I am doing frame relay design for my job, and would like to have a home lab to play with and also to let other people use to get the hands on that they need. Thanks for the info! | |
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| If you have cash like that you may not need any certs richboy. Vitual E-Trainer or CCNA certification kit seem to be real good. bookpool.com 76.94 VS real cisco router 2000.00..... I pick 76.00
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Inspecktah+ (A+,Network+,soon CCNA) | |
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| Folks,
You may not realize it, but there are some things you can get out of a real set of routers and switches that you can't get with E-trainer or a telnet-rent-a-router.
For example, I want to see how you intend to connect your laptops to the console port of different classes of cisco routers. What connectors do you use? What are the pinouts? What converters should you carry in your toolkit. Very, very few 2501's are used in the real world, and only a small percentage of CCNA candidates have even touched one.
It's great that there are low-cost alternatives to working with real routers, but please realize that different people have different goals, and while CCNA my be a "destination" for some folks, for others it is the first step in their endeavor for the coveted CCIE. Router simulators may not be enought to carry these people through to their goals. We should respect their choices.
With a little imagination, you can turn a CCIE into millions of dollars (giving live classes, writing a good book, doing high-level consulting work at $500 an hour) because your skillset is so rare and valuable (or to a high-profile customer, at least not as expensive as their NOT using your services and losing millions of dollars every day their network is down). So what is a 10K investment in equipment by comparison?
Everyone has to choose the amount of time and money they are willing to put into their career development.
He who sows generously reaps generously. Be a shrewd investor, but don't be a miser when it comes to investing in your career. You get what you pay for.
Skip | |
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| Skip, (or anyone else)
Since very few 2501's are available in the real world, what are people using, and that is all that I am seeing for sale for ccna practice. One of my good buddies is VP for a small ISP and also a ccna and unix genius. I haven't had a chance to talk to him yet, but I would like some suggestions on equipment to get down and dirty with! Thanks!
Robert | |
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| Robert,
2501's are available, they're just not used in large enterprises. That's what I meant.
You can get a 2501 on ebay for about $500 any day of the week.
Skip | |
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| May I butt in...
Pssstt Skip, I think what ya meant was that large enterprise networks don't use the 2500 series in their core or campus network, but they may be used extensively to connect remote sites to the Campus. We use them or the 2600 series to connect over 200 remote sites to our main campus.
They are an aging technology and more and more will be showing up in the secondary markets as companies trade them in to upgrade.
Yankee | |
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| Hey Skip and Yankee,
I really appreciate the feedback you and everyone is giving me. I am brand new to this site, also relatively new to the civilian IT field. Like alot of other people, I am trying to figure out which way to go in the field, ie, MCSE (which I finished a few months ago). I have had about 3 years working with Solaris, but not really at a deep down full on administrator level. I know that I just want to learn everything I can, and have hands on as well. As for now, I am working with a major telco now and learning as much as possible. I figured that since I am doing frame relay, now would be a good time to get some additional skills. Anyway, thanks alot all you guys!
Rob | |
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| Yankee,
You are absolutely right. I stand corrected. 
I guess what I'm saying is folks should not go into the work force thinking the 2501 is all there is to Cisco, that's all.
Regards,
Skip
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Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve. | |
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| ok guys, now that I know I can get by with a couple of 2501s or something like that, what would be good as far as computers go, maybe and NT server and a Linux box? I would really like a list, or a link to a site that gives you a list of hardware needed and recommended. I am sure that you guys know what would be an ideal small router home lab. thanks again!
Oh, I already read the articles at tcpmag.com about building the home lab, but the list was long!
Robert | |
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| Rlrouns:
I am also thinking to setup a cisco network @home. I am considering following equipments.
cisco 2501 and 2513 Routers. I am looking for good prices on ebay. Watch out, you should get two under $1,250.
A server running WIN2K Server
Two workstations - one running WIN2K Professional and one LINUX.
One 100 BaseT hub, ethernet cards and cables.
I think that will do it. I don't know if I am missing some thing here.
Hash
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| How about adding a switch, or replacing the hub by a switch? In view of Cisco's involvement in that area, I would think that this would be an interesing upgrade.
BTW, please count me in on the let's-make-a-million-with-ccie bandwagon: it sounds like a magnificent idea 
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Freak, MA, M.Ed., Net+,I-Net+, MCSE, MCT | |
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| quote:
Originally posted by freak:
BTW, please count me in on the let's-make-a-million-with-ccie bandwagon: it sounds like a magnificent idea
Alright Freak: Lets work together
Hash | |
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| Ok here is the list I have so far:
2 25 whatever routers
W2K server
W2k Pro Station (I have that on laptop)
Linux box
Hub
What kind of extra stuff would I need? Does anyone have a home lab right now? Are there any pictures posted online somewhere? Maybe I will have to put up a Quest for a ciscolab website!
Looks like I am only lacking everything on the list right now!
Rob
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| hello folks..its nearly 5am and i cant sleep so maybe i'll put my 2cents worth in...likewise i have intertained the idea of real routers at home and like a lot of people i dont have the funds just yet to by a couple of 2500s and maybe a switch...not sure if some sort of isdn attachment would also be needed for a more complete home lab???...but has anybody heard anything construtive about same town partnerships in which each person would have a router and consol implementing sessions via modem on POTS...could this work?...any inputs are welcomed..bye, and now some ahh... study. | |
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| quote:
Originally posted by rlrouns:
What kind of extra stuff would I need? Does anyone have a home lab right now? Are there any pictures posted online somewhere? Maybe I will have to put up a Quest for a ciscolab website!
Looks like I am only lacking everything on the list right now!
Rob
I am not sure what else you are looking for? Yes, I do have a NT lab at home that I want to upgrade to win2k and also want to add cisco routers. If you are creating the network lab first time then I would suggest you to buy 3com or Netgear Network startar Kit. This kit comes with Ethernet Card, cables, Hubs and manual that explains every thing you need to build a network. But it won't tell you how to connect a router or even how to connect WIN2K server with LINUX box. This is what you need to figure out! Have fun!
I don't know if I answered your question, but if you have any, we are here to help ya! 
Enjoy the pleasures of home network!!
Hash
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