| [CCNA] Buiding lab what to use for pc replacements I am building a CCNA lab, using the Cisco lab books, however this can get expensive.
Some of these labs require several computers to be used as pc1,pc3 etc. > Instead of purchasing several computers “What can I use as a cheaper alternative”
Thanks I want to do it right. |
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aryobaPremium,MVM
join:2002-08-22
kudos:3 | I would say it depends on how far you like to go. Some people feel comfortable to just use one PC running software emulator. This software emulator can be something simple to just be good enough to pass CCNA. You can also run "beefier" software emulator like GNS3 so that your PC can run multiple "virtual" routers running actual IOS images and all types of circuit connectivity.
For those who actually like get hands-on experience, they buy up bulk of switches, routers, and firewall with all necessary cables, WIC and NM. With actual hardware, you can experience password recovery, memory upgrade, and things that only actual hardware can produce.
With actual hardware, simple 2500 or 2600 as routers and 2950 as switches should be fine as a start. Get an ASA or PIX Firewall is a good idea for CCNA Security. Should you feel of experiencing Layer-3 switching, 3550 as switches is a good choice.
Actual lab to simulate production network however can consist of not only Cisco stuff, but also Juniper stuff in addition to HP for servers and Wireshark for packet sniffing with dedicated Internet connectivity to separate lab from production network entity. |
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| Ya know what I am going with the purchase of pcs your correct. I am buying simple inexpensive Dells from ebay. That should be good enough. Would I be correct ?? |
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| you don't need pcs... you could use the VPCS on GNS3 for telnets, traceroutes and ping tests
»wiki.freecode.com.cn/doku.php?id=wiki:vpcs |
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| If I am going to use live equipment such as router and switchs how with this virtual pcs work. |
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| reply to JDmailNY
it would, but it might take a network specialist to get it to work 
trunk the NIC (if it supports it) than run the vpcs in different vlans... |
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mbruno
join:2003-07-03
Fruitland, MD | reply to JDmailNY
said by JDmailNY:Ya know what I am going with the purchase of pcs your correct. I am buying simple inexpensive Dells from ebay. That should be good enough. Would I be correct ??
JDmailNY - When I studied for my CCENT a few months ago, I built a lab from the ground up. I purchased 4 router and three switches from ebay. The one thing I found that was consistent is that not all EBay sellers are on the up and up with the equipment. I looked for the best possible deals. I liked to use cables and kits off EBay, they are a little high on the price but worth it. So far to date, I have never had a problem with them. I have even had them call me to ask if there is anything else they can do for me or if I needed anything else.
Having the real hardware can't be beat! I made a access server for my rack and used the config from Chris Bryant's website. I tried to go cheap on the Octal cable card and got burned by a shady person on ebay trying to cut cost. I ended up going back to cables and kits and buying from them.
I am glad I built my lab for my studies, it has really come in handy here lately. The other thing I did is updated my IOS to the latest version I could find for each of the routers. I can honestly say that I have learned a lot by just putting my hands on the equipment and messing with the config. This is something that a piece of software can't do. |
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aryobaPremium,MVM
join:2002-08-22
kudos:3 | said by mbruno: The other thing I did is updated my IOS to the latest version I could find for each of the routers. I can honestly say that I have learned a lot by just putting my hands on the equipment and messing with the config. This is something that a piece of software can't do.
For those who plan to get hands-on experience with actual hardware or plan to run GNS3 with actual IOS code, keep in mind that you need to retrieve the code from somewhere to start with.
If you don't have current Smartnet contract with Cisco, it may get though to get legit IOS code. You may get illegitimate IOS code, but it may or may not work.
When you buy Cisco gears off ebay, the gears may come with working IOS code. However the code may have been ipbase version or old code that don't support current technology. Those basic code may get you pass CCNA, but at some point you may want to upgrade the code to make sure your knowledge is current.
There may have been a change of wind by the way. I have been noticing Cisco does not always require active Smartnet contract for end users to download IOS codes from their website. As long as you have registered Cisco account (that you can simply create for free through Cisco website), you may be able to download certain "unrestricted" IOS code for free. |
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mbruno
join:2003-07-03
Fruitland, MD | I find for about $70, I can buy a Smartnet contract for one of my devices I use as my home router (1921). This in the past has allowed me to upgrade other Cisco devices. Now in the future this may change. |
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 tubbynetreminds me of the danse russePremium,MVM
join:2008-01-16
Chandler, AZ
kudos:1 | said by mbruno:I find for about $70, I can buy a Smartnet contract for one of my devices I use as my home router (1921). This in the past has allowed me to upgrade other Cisco devices. Now in the future this may change.
yes. if it hasn't already -- it will soon.
there have been lengthy conversations at my employer (i work for a large cisco gold partner) where engineers and sales staff have been scrambling to make sure we're all covered under our blanket contract and that each customer's contract number is added to our cco to ensure support is available when working on customer kit.
q.
--
"...if I in my north room dance naked, grotesquely before my mirror waving my shirt round my head and singing softly to myself..." |
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| reply to mbruno
Ya, know what your 101 percent right. I also use Candella Networks in N.J I thought they where good also. Thanks for the Help. Ya know what I get better answers from this site than the Cisco learning site. God Bless you people. |
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| reply to mbruno
I did not know that. I want to do this because I have two 3550 switchs. Can i download packet tracer also. ???
Your guys are great. |
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mbruno
join:2003-07-03
Fruitland, MD | said by JDmailNY:I did not know that. I want to do this because I have two 3550 switchs. Can i download packet tracer also. ???
Your guys are great.
Getting packet tracer is a little harder then paying for it. You have to be in the Cisco Net Academy to get it or a alumni of the Academy. Now that is the official way of doing it, but the unofficial way is to do a Google search for it. I will let you take it from there. Keep in mind what ever you do, or should I say however you get it. Make sure you scan the files for viruses and Malware. There are a lot of bad people out there! |
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| MBruno you have realy helped me out a great deal thanks a bunch. I do have one more question.>> How can I get the instructors copies of the Cisco Academy books. I tried purchasing from Cisco press and they will not let me because you have to be an instructor. These books have answers to setting up the labs which is what I need. |
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mbruno
join:2003-07-03
Fruitland, MD | said by JDmailNY:MBruno you have realy helped me out a great deal thanks a bunch. I do have one more question.>> How can I get the instructors copies of the Cisco Academy books. I tried purchasing from Cisco press and they will not let me because you have to be an instructor. These books have answers to setting up the labs which is what I need.
Thats a good question! I have never needed to get my hands on the instructors copy but if I had to imagine I would hit up the good ole google. |
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| Thank is do funny ole LoL |
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| Cheapest Solution - Cisco Packet Tracer - Virtaully Do it. |
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| I am using Packet Tracer and its a great tool, if I had discovered this before using GNS3 I would have been 101 percent better off. I feel if Cisco is going to sell lab books on Amazon, at least give answers, or some kind of special site you can go to and them them. |
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 TomS_Git-r-donePremium,MVM
join:2002-07-19
London, UK
kudos:4 | reply to JDmailNY
If you have a spare PC floating about you could install a hypervisor or some sort of virtualisation software on it and run a few instances of Linux or FreeBSD or some such. All the PCs you need, run web servers, DNS, etc. 
ESXi is pretty good as you can quite easily setup a NIC as a trunk and create VLANs and place VMs inside those VLANs, but more recent versions require a 64bit processor so you cant run it on any old hardware. If you can find an older version you might have better luck. |
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| Ya know what Tom, I thanks for all your help. I think I going to learn about Linux, but for now I think I will try a copy of VMw. |
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