I have set up a home lab for my studies and I am looking for some advice on where to go from here. This is what I have so far:

2x cat 1201
1x4000-M w/ 2 serial, 1 fddi, 1 ether
1x2501
1x2507
1x2502
1x2521
1x1912-EN
Tell-labs TLS-4 (for remote access sim)

I know that I am missing the IOS side for the switching. I would love a 3550, but that is out of my price range. The question is, given the choice between a 2950 and a 2924XL, which one should I go with? The 2950's seem to cost more, do they have more features that translate well for the exams? Thanks up front for any help.

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Have you considered a 3524-XL-EN or 3548-XL-EN switch? They aren't quite as current as the 3550 EMI switches, but the price is much more reasonable. The prices on ebay seem to be coming down quite a bit recently. You want to make sure that they are eligible for SMARTnet, since the cost of repair or replacement is somewhat pricey.

I know that the CCIE lab features 3550s, but I would think that any switch made fairly recently and running a current image would be fine for the BCMSN exam.

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Honestly I had never even considered the 3524/3548XL. I will definitely give it some more research. If anyone knows off hand the differences between these switches and the 3550's (other than the inclusion on the CCIE) please let me know. Thanks.

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quote:

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Originally posted by former33t
Honestly I had never even considered the 3524/3548XL. I will definitely give it some more research. If anyone knows off hand the differences between these switches and the 3550's (other than the inclusion on the CCIE) please let me know. Thanks.

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Thanks darth. I hadn't had a chance to go research it on cisco's site yet. I think that about settles it for me then. I'll probably go with one of the lower end 29* series for now then if the the 3524XL's are limited to layer 2 switching as well (limited availability of funds). Thanks.

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if you can get a 3500xl that fits this field
notice

http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/770/fn26174.shtml

you can then exchange it for a 3550 and upgrade the smi to emi ......

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http://www.cisco.com/univercd/

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2950 is much closer to what you want than 2924. The 2924 is CatOS or some people call it the "set" based commands. The 2950 IOS is much more like what you will see on the 3550. A lot of the same commands, the look and feel of the config is very similar. However, you will not have many of the commands you need simply due to the lack of functionality in the 2950. It is not a very robust device, but it will get you comfortable with using the command set.

Good luck

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Thanks LANlord. I think that answered my original question the best to date. I apprectiate it.

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A 2924XL is an IOS based switch and these aren't so expensive so may be a good option.

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