Going after CCENT/CCNA. Setup Mini lab?

[SheHateMe]

Hey guys!

I am currently studying for the CCENT and CCNA certs from Cisco, It was recommended on CBTNuggets for me to purchase a router to practice with. I was curious to know what you guys recommended? How much will it cost me or what alternatives can I use? I have a router with DD-WRT installed on it and it has a lot of features, I've never used. Will that suffice?

I'd appreciate any input. Also if you have suggestions for books, please let me know. I am really eager to do these certs!

 

[Capt.OBViOUS]

Im following the sybex book,CISCO CERTIFIED NETWORK ASSOCIATE (CCNA) STUDY GUIDE-WITH CD ROM EXAM by networking guru Todd Lammle.I guess its the 7nth edition.loving it

 

[SheHateMe]

Im following the sybex book,CISCO CERTIFIED NETWORK ASSOCIATE (CCNA) STUDY GUIDE-WITH CD ROM EXAM by networking guru Todd Lammle.I guess its the 7nth edition.loving it

Im using CBTNuggets for now. We will see how I feel after I finish the course.

 

[Capt.OBViOUS]

^hmm the cbt nuggets are very good,they explain everything simply.The author,guess jeremy his name is,says that you could get a router for 30$ or so (not sure)from amazon-just for learning purposes.I am not studying by myself,we have a cisco 2600 in our lab.

 

[ch33zw1z]

I don't believe DDWRT will suffice because it doesn't run Cisco's IOS. Others will surely chime in, they're experience far exceeds mine. I recommend a couple low end routers, 1700 series IIRC, and a couple managed switches. Practice creating the LAN's, joining the LAN's, and subnetting as well.

I recently had to pass a CCT test to service Cisco's products (I work for a vendor that runs hardware service calls for Cisco). I picked up a router on Craigslist for like $30 to practice commands, and IOS/config recovery. for the CCNA and above, a few devices to create a LAN will help IMO.

 

[Jamsan]

As ch33zw1z mentioned, you'll need Cisco equipment as it's a Cisco exam.

For CCENT/CCNA, you don't really need physical equipment. It helps in visualizing, but there are plenty of simulators / emulators out there that do a great job without the need to purchase anything. Packet Tracer, GNS3/Dynamips all come to find, but unfortunately, neither are free technically (PT need to be a member of Cisco Academy and GNS3 requires legitimate IOS images to run).

 

[SheHateMe]

Alright, I'll get a Cisco router then. Any specific suggestions on what I should go after? Model numbers..etc?

 

[mammador]

Best approach IMO is to download GNS, buy an image from Cisco, and use GNS to simulate IOS and all other CCNA syllabus topics.

 

[theevilsharpie]

Best approach IMO is to download GNS, buy an image from Cisco, and use GNS to simulate IOS and all other CCNA syllabus topics.

GNS3 is nice in that it can run an actual IOS image, but there's a lot of low-level stuff that's handled differently on GNS3 than on actual routers (e.g., config registers, reloading), or support is lacking in a way that wouldn't make sense in the real world (e.g., all serial interfaces being DCE, Ethernet interfaces always being up, etc.). There's also the fact that GNS3 doesn't support the emulation of Cisco switches, which are tested heavily on the CCNA exam.

GNS3 is great for CCNP/CCIE-level study because you can build expansive network topologies that would be difficult to replicate on real equipment due to financial and logistic limitations. For the CCENT/CCNA level, unless you're already experienced with Cisco equipment, I'd recommend working on the real thing.

 

[pwnagesarus]

+1 for buying real equipment if you've never worked with them before.

I guess it really depends on your goal - do you already have experience working with/configuring Cisco equipment (or just general networking) and just need the cert, or are you interested in learning about networking and hopefully get into the field?

If you just need the cert, then Packet Tracer is fine.

While the capabilities of Packet Tracer are more than enough for the CCNA, I find that it still feels different than being logged into a real router or switch, even it looks like IOS. Then there's the benefit of being at least physically familiar with a router or switch (albeit not the latest and greatest). If you are looking to learn and get into the field, it's highly recommended to purchase equipment.

For routers, you can look into the 2500 and 2600 series. For switches, a 2924 should be fine.

 

[alkemyst]

As ch33zw1z mentioned, you'll need Cisco equipment as it's a Cisco exam.

For CCENT/CCNA, you don't really need physical equipment. It helps in visualizing, but there are plenty of simulators / emulators out there that do a great job without the need to purchase anything. Packet Tracer, GNS3/Dynamips all come to find, but unfortunately, neither are free technically (PT need to be a member of Cisco Academy and GNS3 requires legitimate IOS images to run).

QFT...CiscoPress also came out with a CCNA Network Simulator for about $130. It had like 250+ labs in it. I used it when preparing for my CCNP actually...it wasn't available when I took my CCNA.

 

[SheHateMe]

+1 for buying real equipment if you've never worked with them before.

I guess it really depends on your goal - do you already have experience working with/configuring Cisco equipment (or just general networking) and just need the cert, or are you interested in learning about networking and hopefully get into the field?

If you just need the cert, then Packet Tracer is fine.

While the capabilities of Packet Tracer are more than enough for the CCNA, I find that it still feels different than being logged into a real router or switch, even it looks like IOS. Then there's the benefit of being at least physically familiar with a router or switch (albeit not the latest and greatest). If you are looking to learn and get into the field, it's highly recommended to purchase equipment.

For routers, you can look into the 2500 and 2600 series. For switches, a 2924 should be fine.

I know things about Networking, I wanted to become better with Networks and turn it into a career. I am doing self study for the CCNA, I wanted to try it on my own first before I just splurged on a $3,000 class.

So, I don't have any knowledge of Cisco equipment, Ive only ever used Linksys or Belkin routers.

So, for my lab..should I purchase 1 router and 1 switch? Also, for these routers, would I be able to use them for wireless internet in the event I use them as my main routers?

Thanks!

 

[alkemyst]

The Cisco 800 and 1900 series ISR routers have wireless built-in. They run IOS, but would be very expensive compared to off the shelf stuff for the home.

The 800 series is great for a home lab though, quiet and no real heat.

It's easy for even a simple lab to add $100 to your electric bill and heat up your room (not to mention the noise level).

Search for Wendell Odum's CCNA lab recommendations on google. This is the best way to know you will have the gear you really need. He also gives low, mid and high budget solutions.

There is a lot of free training on Cisco's site for CCNA as well as Odum's www.1examamonth.com site.

 

[Harrod]

QFT...CiscoPress also came out with a CCNA Network Simulator for about $130. It had like 250+ labs in it. I used it when preparing for my CCNP actually...it wasn't available when I took my CCNA.

This, the only way I would consider a home lab would be for a voip lab if you were going the voice route.

 

[drebo]

GNS3 works great. If you really want physical equipment, 2x 2611XM (with a WIC-1DSU-T1 each) and 1x 2950 should get you through CCNA. If you want to go after CCNP, upgrade the 2950 to a 3550 and get two of them.

 

[SS Trooper]

I took the CCNA compilation exam back in July and failed due to lack of hands on time with the equipment ( at least thats my excuse )

I decided to take the 2 exam option instead and just passed the CCENT exam 8/29. That exam was very easy and did not require much hands on time. You need to know security like setting up config passwords and encrypting them. You also need to know your way around show commands to find out switch information and cdp information. It was A LOT of subnetting and knowing ip ranges for networks.

Go to cisco and print out the exam outlines, it helps a lot.

I'll be taking my next exam for the actual CCNA cert later this month or early next month (depending on where I am in a few weeks)

 

[frowertr]

I took my CCNA (opted for going straight for the CCNA and not the CCENT) a couple of years ago. One of the hardest tests I have every had to take.

I recommend going with a lab. I had a couple switches and a couple routers. Can't remember which ones as it was some time ago. The simulators are nice, but you can't beat hands on expierence.

 

[Mir96TA]

For CCNA stuff Packet Tracer is Just fine (Free)

 

[Mir96TA]

but you can't beat hands on expierence.

Sure you can CoS I mean QOS I mean Cost in Dollor.
Beside loading IOS / Installing off Romon Mode/ Installing Card........ Sims are fine, easy o Upfront Cost and Electric Bill (To Run) and (A/C) to keep you Nice comortable.

 

[frowertr]

Sure you can CoS I mean QOS I mean Cost in Dollor.
Beside loading IOS / Installing off Romon Mode/ Installing Card........ Sims are fine, easy o Upfront Cost and Electric Bill (To Run) and (A/C) to keep you Nice comortable.

Eh, I disagree. Nothing beats being able to log into a physical router to see what is going on. Besides, you are going to be logging into REAL routers in the field anyway, so why learn on a sim? Learn on the real thing and be done with it. You can put together a CCNA lab for under $300 from eBay.

When I played with the sim software several years ago, some of the commands didn't match up to my lab equipment. In other words, the sim software didn't have a full set of IOS commands. Now they may have changed over the years and gotten better but at the time I didnt to risk it.

Now I did use the sim software AFTER I had learned everything I needed from practicing on real equipment. It was nice to kind of "refresh" myself daily for 30-45 minutes playing with IOS using the sim instead of firing up the lab.

 

[Mir96TA]

Eh, I disagree. Nothing beats being able to log into a physical router to see what is going on. Besides, you are going to be logging into REAL routers in the field anyway, so why learn on a sim? Learn on the real thing and be done with it. You can put together a CCNA lab for under $300 from eBay.

When I played with the sim software several years ago, some of the commands didn't match up to my lab equipment. In other words, the sim software didn't have a full set of IOS commands. Now they may have changed over the years and gotten better but at the time I didnt to risk it.

Now I did use the sim software AFTER I had learned everything I needed from practicing on real equipment. It was nice to kind of "refresh" myself daily for 30-45 minutes playing with IOS using the sim instead of firing up the lab.

Dude get a grip!
We are talking about CCNA level commands.
Packet tracer support all those commands.
Heck even most of CCNP stuff can be practice at Packet tracer.
You can't put a Jack Arse stuff with $300.
You need atleast Router: 4 2611 XM with 2 Wic, Switch (2 ) 3550 Switch (with EMI IOS) (1) Misc stuff, 8 Serail Cross over cable, 8 Patch cables (Can be self made if eqipp is there for you) 2 Power Stripp
OPtional
One 2511 Acess Server with 2 octal Cables
19' Rack with Caster
3650 Switch (optional for CCNA)
When you run them it cost Electricity which is extra.
Now I have chose EOL stuff so you can get FREE IOS (Incase if your hardware didn't have, what you want to have)
Again for CCNA Pactet Tracer is enough. No Cost what so ever,
Can run on dunkiest Computer like PII or some thing with 512 MB..... in other words if you can get a laptop for $100 this software will FLY.
Optional Studdy Material
Get Todd Lammle CCNA Cisco Press Book; Jeremy Cioara CBT.