I'm starting CCNA and I was looking into buying components for my home lab.
I can't afford new routers/switches so my options are limited (i wanna spend max 150$ on the whole thing).
My question is, which routers/switches should I be looking for to make sure I can perform all the labs on them. I will be browsing e-bay and such for a good price, but I'd like to make sure that what I buy is not outdated.
Here's some deals I have found and I would like a second opinion:
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1 Catalyst 1900 24port switch
1 Cisco 2501 router
1 Cisco 2524 router with 56k dsu/csu
1 Cisco 2524 router with serial port, 10bt port, and FT DSU/CSU
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100$ total
And a second one:
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Cisco 2501 Router x2
Cisco 2507 Router
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100$ also
Is that enough to get me through CCNA and possibly further?
Actually, it would be a good idea to check the software license for IOS. It is generally non-transferable. On the plus side, a new license gives access to current versions.
Of course, the software license is going to blow the budget.
To answer the original question, I built my lab with 3x 4000 series routers, 1x 1900 series switch, and 1x 2900 series switch.
This didn't give me the ability to do everything, but it DID give me the opportunity to practice logging in, navigating IOS, and setting up the basic functions tested in the hands-on part of the CCNA exam. It also helped cement for me the commands available in each mode. (I passed the CCDA and BSCI exams without further hands-on practice, but I have unusually strong retention of what I read.) Then, of course, the place I worked used all HP switches.
Definitely second the no 1900 series routers. It's ridiculous for someone to even try to sell that junk and call it a CCNA package!
For switches, stick with 2900 series, preferably the 2950 as that is what the new CCNA is more based on (actually 2960, but 2950 should work just fine).
For routers, I would recommend the 2600 series. Try to buy routers with WIC-1T's already there (for your serial connections). Also try to get at least one router that has a fastethernet port for router on a stick/VLAN configuration.
Try searching for ... " lot of Cisco routers " (no quotes) on ebay. Sometimes people will sell a bunch of routers for cheap because they can't confirm that they work beyond that they can turn on, but you are likely to at least a few that work. Some guarantee that they work, but just trying to unload a lot from an office liquidation or something.
I saw a lot of deals.
If you have three routers and a switch, you should be able to do most of the CCNA labs. If you have to get a 2500 series router, then do it, but try to make sure you that the lowest IOS version is 12.2.
I am going to have to agree with the previous posters that the models you mentioned are dated and wouldn't even run the currently tested IOS. These days I use my 2500's as backbone routers for larger labs and not much else. The 1900 switch is largely useless for the current exam.
Assuming you have access to the IOS software, I would suggest using GNS3/dynamips as a cheap alternative to actual routers. You will be limited on what router models you can have (1700,2600,3600,etc) but it runs the actual IOS and you can create as many virtual routers as your PC can handle. Then you could spend your "lab money" on getting a couple of 2950 switches. Connect the switches to your PC, alter the config files of dynamips, and instant lab! A quick search on google can hand you some nice videos on how to get started with GNS3/dynamips if you are interested.
There are some things you you can't get from any simulator/emulator such as cabling issues, etc and while I would always say actual hardware is the best option it is not always the most cost-effective option especially if you are just starting out and don't have a lot of cash to spare. Tack on that a lot of training providers out there are also taking advantage of this and it just seems like a good option. Just food for thought.
Joined: 30 August 2005 Location: United States Posts: 6048
Posted: 04 November 2009 at 1:07pm | IP Logged
abraxus0426 wrote:
Assuming you have access to the IOS software, I would suggest using GNS3/dynamips as a cheap alternative to actual routers.
Unfortunately, per Cisco's IOS licensing, you cannot legally use the Cisco IOS outside of the hardware platform it was designed for. Thus, you cannot legally use it on GNS3/Dynamips. I have confirmation of that from Cisco Legal.
True enough. However I would raise a question you might be able to answer. Given the IOS license is non-transferable if someone was to purchase equipment say from ebay for a home lab, then it would be legal to buy the hardware but not legal to use the software that is on it without obtaining your own license, correct?
If the above assumption is correct everyone is pretty much stuck in a catch-22 legally and the end result would make having a home lab cost prohibitive for the average student, unless of course you decide to use a 3rd party sim.
Personally I am hoping that Cisco may change its stance on this in the end as part of the CCIE lab is now being done in a virtual environment. It would be nice as a training tool if Cisco would simply re-package the open source GNS3/dynamips app and say here you go! Heck even a 90-day trial would be nice. However I figure I will likely win the lottery prior to that and it would all be come a moot point then. C'est la vie..
Joined: 30 August 2005 Location: United States Posts: 6048
Posted: 05 November 2009 at 9:58am | IP Logged
abraxus0426 wrote:
True enough. However I would raise a question you might be able to answer. Given the IOS license is non-transferable if someone was to purchase equipment say from ebay for a home lab, then it would be legal to buy the hardware but not legal to use the software that is on it without obtaining your own license, correct?
I don't know for sure, but that's what I've always been told.
abraxus0426 wrote:
If the above assumption is correct everyone is pretty much stuck in a catch-22 legally and the end result would make having a home lab cost prohibitive for the average student, unless of course you decide to use a 3rd party sim.
So how does this change the legality of the situation? Just because something is expensive doesn't give people the right to use Cisco's IOS however they see fit, student or not.
That said, it's really NOT that expensive to license a couple routers.
abraxus0426 wrote:
Personally I am hoping that Cisco may change its stance on this in the end as part of the CCIE lab is now being done in a virtual environment. It would be nice as a training tool if Cisco would simply re-package the open source GNS3/dynamips app and say here you go! Heck even a 90-day trial would be nice. However I figure I will likely win the lottery prior to that and it would all be come a moot point then. C'est la vie..
It would be nice. My employer would love it, because then we wouldn't have to spend resources programming a simulated router that can't do everything a real router can do - we could focus solely on the creation of high-quality labs.
However, that's not currently Cisco's stance. So you can choose to respect their copyright, or you can choose to violate their copyright. The choice is yours... but I tell ya, once you sit on the other side, with something of your own that you want to protect the copyright on, your viewpoint may change dramatically.
It was not my intent to debate the ethics of violating copyrights which we all know is wrong/evil/bad. I was:
1. Merely asking for clarification on the legality of purchasing/using a home lab (most of which do not include licensing of any kind).
2. Pointing out that obtaining the licensing would drive up the overall cost especially given the OP was hoping to use it beyond the CCNA (which it would, companies just want their cut and I have no problem with it).
3. Lastly expressing a hope for a brighter legal future for home labs (nothing wrong with wish-listing I would hope).
Though I would make 1 point regarding the licensing costs.
BosonMichael wrote:
abraxus0426 wrote:
If the above assumption is correct everyone is pretty much stuck in a catch-22 legally and the end result would make having a home lab cost prohibitive for the average student, unless of course you decide to use a 3rd party sim.
So how does this change the legality of the situation? Just because something is expensive doesn't give people the right to use Cisco's IOS however they see fit, student or not.
I was not questioning the legality or ethics of it but simply pointing out that you are operating illegally in either scenario (home lab or gns3).
BosonMichael wrote:
That said, it's really NOT that expensive to license a couple routers.
For the CCNA I might agree. While IP Base (~$150) is the only feature set you should need for the CCNA the OP did have an eye to the future (CCNP maybe?) and bearing that in mind you are wrong. Moving past the CCNA in any track will require you to jump feature sets up to at least Service Provider, Security, or Advanced IP Services which could end up costing you over $1k and in my book that is not inexpensive. However, that is the price you pay for wanting a home lab and keeping it legal. Stated again I have no problem with this.
I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the licensing issue come up on this thread within the first 3 posts as it seems to be rarely discussed when people ask about home labs. I thought it would be good to explore this subject of legal pitfalls a little. If I offended anyone then I apologize.
Joined: 30 August 2005 Location: United States Posts: 6048
Posted: 05 November 2009 at 12:50pm | IP Logged
abraxus0426 wrote:
Michael,
It was not my intent to debate the ethics of violating copyrights which we all know is wrong/evil/bad.
True. But others who read this forum may not know. I post for their benefit as well.
abraxus0426 wrote:
I was not questioning the legality or ethics of it but simply pointing out that you are operating illegally in either scenario (home lab or gns3).
True. But as you have said, you don't have to operate illegally, because those aren't your only two options.
abraxus0426 wrote:
For the CCNA I might agree. While IP Base (~$150) is the only feature set you should need for the CCNA the OP did have an eye to the future (CCNP maybe?) and bearing that in mind you are wrong. Moving past the CCNA in any track will require you to jump feature sets up to at least Service Provider, Security, or Advanced IP Services which could end up costing you over $1k and in my book that is not inexpensive.
I've purchased the Advanced IP Services pack on smaller routers for far less than that. If I remember correctly, it was around $80 for a year on CDW.
abraxus0426 wrote:
I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the licensing issue come up on this thread within the first 3 posts as it seems to be rarely discussed when people ask about home labs. I thought it would be good to explore this subject of legal pitfalls a little. If I offended anyone then I apologize.
No, it's good to bring it up. Otherwise, nobody knows.
Edited by BosonMichael on 06 November 2009 at 1:02pm
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Topic: CCNA Home Lab
