| Author |
Advice wanted for lab
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| Mitch1301 2004-01-13, 9:18 pm |
| I am currently buying several routers and switches in order to obtain my CCNP. At this point I have already purchased the following:
(1) 2501
(1) 2503
(1) 2514
(1) 2520
(2) 1912
I have a feeling that this is enough for the lab. I want some advice on anything else I should get that would help. All the routers are running the latest IOS (12.2) and are maxed out on RAM. I will not buy any token ring crap. Don’t see why anyone would want to practice with that junk since I know of 0 companies around my area that use it. I was thinking of searching around for a used PIX so I can get some hands on experience on setting one up. Can anyone recommend a PIX model that is could be decently priced (501, 506, etc)? I only have $800 invested thus far and really don’t want to go over $1500 total. Thanks in advance for any input.
Mitch | |
| ZacDogg 2004-01-14, 1:44 am |
| It might be nice to have an ISDN simulator if you can pick you up cheap.
FYI- My company still has some token-ring hanging around. Actually a lot of large companies that have mainframes will have some token-ring, but I agree with you in not buying any equipment with token-ring. We even have some IPX left if you can believe that.
Zac | |
| darthfeces 2004-01-15, 12:17 am |
| i have 2 2502's if anybody needs a paperweight | |
| Mitch1301 2004-01-15, 7:04 pm |
| Well I droped the (2) 1912 switches and picked up (2) 2916 switches instead. ALso went ahead and ordered (2) 2600 routers each with two additional modules.
If anyone else has any suggestions I would appreciate the help. I really want to make sure I buy things that are needed for the CCNP.
thanks
Mitch | |
| DrWatsonJr 2004-01-16, 12:50 pm |
| I believe the 3550 and 4000's switches are also covered on the BCMSN exam. At an absolute minimum, you'll need a 2950 and some other CAT OS based switch (i.e. 5000). | |
| psimon 2004-01-20, 3:29 am |
| For the BCMSN exam I would strongly suggest getting your hands on a 3550.
Do not really need a Cat OS based machine, as Cat OS is no longer covered in the exam. But if you want complete and full understanding, then a Cat OS machine maybe appropriate.
Psimon | |
| boyam 2004-01-26, 12:10 pm |
| quote:
I was thinking of searching around for a used PIX so I can get some hands on experience on setting one up. Can anyone recommend a PIX model that is could be decently priced (501, 506, etc)? I only have $800 invested thus far and really don’t want to go over $1500 total.
On ebay, 501's are going for around $400 or so. If i'm not mistaken, the DES feature is free. So you can setup basic DES type VPN's. IMHO, a 501 will do the job. | |
| Mitch1301 2004-01-26, 5:05 pm |
| Thanks for all the input thus far, I appreciate it.
I ordered a 5000 catalyst but received it in broken pieces, thanks to UPS. Now I am waiting on the insurance check for that. I am waiting for a decent deal on the 2950 and will have to hold off on the 3550 for now.
Also sold a couple things in order to get some different stuff. For now the lab has the following:
(1) 2501
(1) 2514
(1) 1912
(2) 2610
(2) 2916 not in yet. snail mail.
Are there any other routers that I should be looking for. I know I have enough for the CCNA already. I would like to have enough for the CCNP as well.
thanks again
Mitch | |
| nethead 2004-01-29, 10:33 am |
| I am currently looking into getting some lab kit.
My main recommendations would be:
1) Make sure you have two routers with serial interfaces and DCE/DTE cables to set up a circuit.
2) Have routers with more than one ethernet interface - this is useful for running routing protocols (eg. the 2514 you list is good for this) | |
| Mitch1301 2004-01-29, 12:55 pm |
| Thanks again for all the advice. I once again made some changes to the lab. I have several friends in the area that are doing the same thing. This is nice because when I need to sell something I can go to them first. As of 1/29/04 the lab consists of the following:
(1) 2501
(1) 2514
(1) 2520
(2) 2610
(1) 1912 12 port
(1) 3100 24 port
(1) 2950 12 port
Finally got a good deal on the 2950, only paid $255 for it. Everybody needs to get auction sentry and find all the cisco auctions that end around 12am-5am. With the current setup I have spent $1347, which includes the shipping. I also bought a rack so I could get all this stuff up and running. Already had some rack mount servers lying around that needed a rack.
If anyone has anymore ideas or input it would be greatly appreciated.
thanks again,
Mitch | |
| nphillips 2004-01-31, 10:58 pm |
| I am in the same situation. I want to have a lab for CCNA study, but also want to pursue CCNP after.
Can you please tell me which lab setup I should do, as I am pretty much starting fresh, buying from EBay.
Here are some auctions that I have won from EBay already, are they worth carrying through with, and are they alright prices?
all prices in american dough$
Model Prices Shipping
2503 $86.22 at cost + $2
Unknown, but works, so im thinking at least 4 ram and 8 flash.
power cable only
2511 $162.50 $20
16 ram, 16 flash
no cables
2610 $317.00 $15
8 ram, 16 flash
WIC 1T card installed with wic cable
no other cables
(2)2524 $70 & $76 Same person sendingAt Cost
56k & ISDN Cards Installed
Unknown, but works, so im thinking at least 4 ram and 8 flash.
no cables
2501 $91.00 $25.00
4 ram, 8 flash
power cord only
2514 $127.50 at cost
8 ram, 8 flash
no cables
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power cables dont bother me, cause i have lots here, and ios i can get from a friend for the 2600's and the 2500's | |
| nphillips 2004-02-01, 5:23 pm |
| Is it even worth getting a 2600 right now?
Which would you say is more important, getting a 2610 or getting 2-3 2500's.
again, im doing ccna right now, but going to be doing ccnp after | |
| Mitch1301 2004-02-01, 5:28 pm |
| It all depends on what you are trying to do. If you want the ISDN then some of the 2500 series will do fine. I personally think you should start looking for some switches if you plan on buying whats on your current list.
Also you will have an easier time reselling a used 2610 than you would the 2500 series routers, at least on ebay.
later
Mitch | |
| nphillips 2004-02-01, 5:45 pm |
| sry, i actually picked up some switches on ebay, they are as follows:
CISCO CATALYST 1900 SERIES WS-C1900C
$51
CISCO CATALYST 2900 SERIES 2924M-XL 2924
$157.50
These 2 swtiches are seperate auctions, same guy so i can prob combine for cheap shipping.
Also, the reason why I ask wether or not it is worth getting a 2610 right now is because wont they be coming down in price more? I was gonna set up a lab last year, but the costs of the 2500's then were what the 2600's cost now. So i was wondering, wether or not I should just buy the switches, as well as a few 2500's and wait until I am done my ccna, then buy a couple 2600's and re-evaluate wether or not to keep all of the 2500's.
My lab right now sorta looks like this; but in terms of JUST CCNA then, will this list be good enough to do all the labs required? or will I have to get something else/is there something here that I do not need.
switches:
CISCO CATALYST 2900 SERIES 2924M-XL 2924
CISCO CATALYST 1900 SERIES WS-C1900C
2500 Stuff:
Cisco 2501 8mb flash, 16mb dram 98$ (but shipping within canada, so less money. as well, I am getting an extra 5 sticks of 16mb ram for 7$ each american, shipping included with router shipping cost)
CISCO 2501 8 SDRAM 8 FLASH
CISCO 2511 WITH 16 / 16
Cisco 2500 Series Router: 2514
(2) CISCO 2524 ROUTER w/56k & ISDN CARDS
2600 Stuff:
Cisco 2610 with a wic 1T ($342 american, shipping included is it a good deal?)
Cisco ISDN WIC-1B-U for 1600/1700/2600/3600
$46 american without shipping | |
| Mitch1301 2004-02-01, 5:51 pm |
| If you already have everything except the 2610 I would wait. You have more than enough to finish your CCNA studies. After that you can figure out if you need the 2610 for your CCNP studies.
I wouldnt pay over $300 for a 2610. If you can find one with a module for that price I think its a good deal at this time. That and make sure you have some decent memory in the thing as well as the latest IOS.
later
Mitch | |
| nphillips 2004-02-01, 5:53 pm |
| The thing is, I havnt actually paid for any of this stuff yet, so i was wondering if u could tell me which route to go. To say again, I dont have anything at home yet, nor have I paid for anything. | |
| Mitch1301 2004-02-01, 6:07 pm |
| Well I would pay for any auctions that I have already won. If you placed a bid and won you made a deal and you should stick with it.
Anyways, I would just get a couple 2500 series routers for the CCNA exam. You really only need 2 (say 2501 and a 2503). Or you could go with 3 routers, would allow you to test load balancing (say 2501, 2503, and 2520). After that decide if you are going to continue forward with the CISCO certification. At that point buy what is on the exams. Depending on how long it’s going to take you to get your CCNA and start work on your CCNP the routers and switches in these exams could vary greatly.
later
Mitch | |
| nphillips 2004-02-01, 6:15 pm |
| (1) CISCO 2924M-XL 2924
(1) CISCO WS-C1900C
(1) 2501
(1) 2511
(1) 2514
(1) 2524
Would this be alright setup, or could I cutout another router then? The 2524 I have won 2 of them from the same guy for 70$ each. So the shipping would be less. Keeping that in mind, should I make any changes? | |
| azimuth40 2004-02-01, 7:42 pm |
| Well you pretty much have to buy all of them. Negative feedback on ebay may stop you from bidding on future auctions, especially high dollar ones. Some sellers will just kill your bid if you neg score is to high. You could regret not going through with the deals.
Regardless of what you decide the 2514 has two Ethernets and you normally will need that for some advanced setups. 2514's hold their value because of that. The 2924 is an XL so keep that too as it will hold its value. As you already know 1900's are cheap because they will probably fall off most labs soon. | |
| nphillips 2004-02-01, 9:58 pm |
| (all prices without shipping)
so i should get both of the switches for
CISCO CATALYST 1900 SERIES WS-C1900C
$51
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CISCO CATALYST 2900 SERIES 2924M-XL 2924
$158
as well as the
(1) or (2)? 2524 56K CARD AND ISDN CARD
$70 & $76 each
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2514 8mb ram / 8 mb flash
$128
and just screw the
2501 8 ram / 8 flash
$72
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2511 16 ram / 16 flash
$163
is this correct? are these alright prices?
as well, I think I got an alright deal on a 2610 w/WIC 1T,Cables & CSU/DSU for $306, should I take it?
this is what my lab would look like if I took the 2610 for $306
(1) 2610
(1) 2524
(1) 2514
(1) 1900
(1) 2924
all for around $720 without shipping. | |
| nphillips 2004-02-04, 9:47 pm |
| Alright, I think Ive made up my mind. Here is what the lab will look like (remeber, I am starting from fresh).
routers:
(1) 2501 $72
(1) 2511 $163
(1) 2524 $70
(1) 2514 $128
Switches:
(1) 1900 $51
(1) 2924 $158
Total Cost: $650 + shipping
My final question is, can i get rid of the 2511 without loosing anything I need? I have won a 2524 from the same guy again, and can combin shipping. I won it for $76. Could I possibly replace the 2511 with another 2524 so my lab would look like this:
routers:
(1) 2501 $72
(2) 2524 $70 + $76
(1) 2514 $128
Switches:
(1) 1900 $51
(1) 2924 $158
Total Cost: $555 + shipping
Prob: $620 with shipping...
~~~ aprox $830 Canadian
Would the second list be a great lab for CCNA, while looking to the futre for CCNP? |
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