| CCNAs and CCNA candidates hear it all the time: 'Get | | | | two serial ports and an Ethernet port. You will need |
| some hands-on experience'. From my personal | | | | to add a transceiver to this unit to convert the |
| experience climbing the Cisco certification ladder, I | | | | Ethernet AUI port to an RJ-45 style Ethernet port.2) |
| can tell you firsthand that there is no learning like | | | | Cisco 2503 Router with 16 MB Flash/16MB DRAM |
| hands-on learning. No simulator in the world is going to | | | | $119.99. This is the same as a Cisco 2501, except it |
| give you the experience you will get cabling and | | | | adds an ISDN port so you can complete all your ISDN |
| configuring your own routers.Whenever I mention | | | | commands for the CCNA test. You will need to add a |
| this to one of my students, they always say it costs | | | | transceiver to convert the Ethernet AUI port to an |
| too much. The truth is, it is cheaper now to build | | | | RJ-45 style Ethernet port.3) Cisco 2505/2507 with 16 |
| your own CCNA and CCNP lab than it has ever been. | | | | MB Flash/16MB DRAM $109.99. The same as a Cisco |
| The secret? Used routers.The word 'used' turns off a | | | | 2501 except it has a built-in 8 or 16 port hub so you |
| lot of people; not many of us buy used computers | | | | do not have to purchase a transceiver.4) Cisco 2514 |
| or used servers. Cisco routers, though, are robust; I | | | | Router with 16 MB Flash/16MB DRAM $149.99. This |
| personally own a Cisco 4000 router that I use as a | | | | router is the same as a Cisco 2501 except instead of |
| Frame Relay switch in my lab that I've had for about | | | | one Ethernet port you have two. You may ask, |
| four years, and I've never had a problem with it.The | | | | what is the big deal? Well, you can use this as your |
| good news for current CCNA and CCNP candidates | | | | Cable Modem/DSL Modem router. Now you can test |
| interested in building their own labs is that used Cisco | | | | your ability to setup a firewall and router in a live |
| equipment has never been more plentiful or cheaper. | | | | environment on the Internet. Lots of fun! You will |
| eBay is a good way to get an idea of what's out | | | | need to add two transceivers to convert the |
| there and what the prices are, but you don't have to | | | | Ethernet AUI ports to an RJ-45 style Ethernet |
| assemble your lab one piece at a time. Many eBay | | | | ports.5) Cisco 2520 Router with 16 MB Flash/16MB |
| vendors who sell used Cisco equipment sell | | | | DRAM $119.99. This is the same as a 2503 but it also |
| ready-made CCNA and CCNP labs for one price, | | | | adds two more serial ports so you can use this as a |
| including cables.I asked one major vendor of CCNA | | | | frame relay switch later in your CCNA studies. It |
| and CCNP labs, what the most common questions | | | | costs the same as a 2503, so this is a great money |
| are regarding building your own home lab. Here's what | | | | saving tip.6) Cisco 2612 Router with 32 DRAM and 8 |
| they had to say:Why do I need real routers instead | | | | MB Flash $199.99. This is a modular router unlike any |
| of a simulator?You need a physical router as the | | | | of the 2500 series routers. So the big benefit of this |
| simulators just don't have the ability to give you the | | | | is you can buy extra modules to add functionality |
| 'hands on' you need to see what happens when you | | | | such as more serial ports, ISDN ports, Ethernet ports, |
| disconnect a cable or put a cable in the wrong | | | | WICs and such. However, due to the flexibility you |
| location. You will come to find quite quickly that | | | | will pay a bit more. One day it is a frame relay |
| mistakes you make on Router 1 are affecting Router | | | | switch, the next it is your ISDN router. In the long |
| 5 all because you did not screw in a cable properly. | | | | run it will be cheaper than purchasing a bunch of |
| No simulator can simulate that.How many routers do I | | | | dedicated routers for each discipline you want to |
| need?Two routers really are required to see if | | | | learn.7) Cisco 1912 or 1924 Switch with Enterprise |
| anything works. If you have a very limited budget, | | | | Software $109.99. This is a good low cost switch.. |
| you can receive value from only purchasing a single | | | | The only draw back is it is a 10 MB switch except for |
| router over working with a simulator. However, you | | | | the two 100 MB uplink ports. Not a big deal since you |
| will not be able to see the main thing we are trying | | | | have 10 MB routers.8) Cisco 2912 or 2924 Switch |
| to accomplish. The propagation of route tables! The | | | | with Enterprise Software $249.99. This switch will run |
| only way you can see if your configurations work, is | | | | all the current commands needed for the test and is |
| to have at least two routers. Therefore, I strongly | | | | a full 100 MB switch.And should you desire to sell |
| recommend that you purchase a dual router kit that | | | | your lab after you complete your certification, you |
| comes with all the accessories you need. Otherwise | | | | can either negotiate a price with the vendor who |
| you can spend days trying to find all the little extra | | | | sold it to you, or you can sell it yourself on ebay. It's |
| pieces you need to get your lab up and running.Do I | | | | my experience that 95% of candidates who earn |
| need a switch?Well, it is nice to have. However, with | | | | their CCNA go on to pursue their CCNP within one |
| only about 2 questions on the test dedicated to | | | | year, though, so don't sell it too quickly.In the end, |
| 'hands on' switch knowledge, if you have to skimp on | | | | you spend only a few hundred dollars, and you gain |
| something, skimp on the switch.What routers and | | | | invaluable experience and knowledge that will help |
| switches should I buy?Choices, choices, choices! | | | | you both in your certification quest and your job |
| Which 2500/2600 router do I pick? I will list some | | | | performance. Having been there, I can tell you that |
| pros and cons of each router below, along with | | | | you will learn much more from actually configuring |
| current prices (note that prices are generally lower if | | | | and cabling your own equipment than you ever will |
| you buy a dual router kit instead of a single router):1) | | | | from any simulation of the real thing.To your |
| Cisco 2501 Router with 16 MB Flash/16MB DRAM | | | | success,Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of |
| $94.99. The cheapest introduction router, and it can | | | | The Bryant Advantage, home of free CCNA and |
| support a vast majority of the commands that you | | | | CCNP tutorials, The Ultimate CCNA Study Package, |
| will need to learn for your CCNA test. All 2500 | | | | and Ultimate CCNP Study Packages. |
| routers that we will discuss come with a minimum of | | | | |