Any fairly recent CCNA // CCNP's here? Question about labs...

ThorpedoUK · 22 Oct 2010 at 22:54

Hey

I was wondering if any of you guys would be kind enough to give me some input on what lab you used for either // both? It needs to be fairly recent though, 2007+???

I am funding this myself so no boot camps or course, it will be straight lab time at home with the door stop sized CCENT/CCNA ICND1 / ICND2 Wendell Odom books.

Browsing the web I'm hearing recommendations on 2950 switches except the book specifically talks about 2960's!

My lab was going to be some thing a long the lines of (it needs to take me into the CCNP and be functional for my internet and eventually VPN etc):

1 x 1841 wired router
2 x 26x1XM's routers
2 x 2960's
1 x 3550 (L3)
1 x 877W
1 x ASA 5505
1 x AIRONET 1131AG

So far I have:

1 x 2611XM (maxed out memory, IOS 12.4)
1 x 877W
1 x ASA 5505

Need to pick up a few switches now, some WIC-2T's and maybe 1 or 2 more routers, can anyone give me some tips on a relatively cheap ish lab that would carry over to the CCNP? how does what I suggest look?

Thanks

EDIT: Forgot to mention I bought the CISCO command reference for the CCNA also (amazon), can you recommend any other books? I have never touched IOS ever but used to NetApp DataONTAP, Linux, Solaris etc etc so lack of GUI's is not scary lol (though I know you can use SDM I'd rather not... much...)

SoundsGood · 23 Oct 2010 at 09:48

Just about to take my CCNA and have found Packet Tracer to be pretty much all that's needed. CCNP may be a different story

wij · 23 Oct 2010 at 11:01

I'd think that 3 routers and 2 switches should get you through most of the CCNA without any trouble.

Probably look at 2611/2621 XM models and 2950G/T/C switches.

GNS3 is quite nice if you have access to the IOS images for the kit so you can build some more complex labs.

I've found Cisco's own books to be pretty good and thorough, they also do some downloadable "video mentor" series which for £25 or something I think aren't too bad either and can be handy for quick revision.

If you have iTunes installed do a search for "cisco training" and you should find a series of podcasts from a chap called Darrell Root which for a free resource are very good. Basically talks through and demonstrates configuring various topologies, not as professional as other offerings out there but they are free

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=279040049

Styles · 23 Oct 2010 at 19:51

GNS3 with a recent IOS image will get you through most of what you're going to need to do in the routing world of the CCNA and CCNP exams.

ThorpedoUK · 23 Oct 2010 at 21:50

Thanks guys, really want to do it hands on with the actual kit though (as it wouldn't just be for the CCNA) - I do have access to the latest images which is lucky!

I might give GNS3 a try then as it does actually sound really good, but will definately be checking out those iTunes podcasts on my iPhone!

Cheers fellas