Cisco Home Lab?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Deleted User 298457
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Deleted User 298457

Deleted User 298457

Anybody here got their own Cisco lab? I'm currently studying Networks & Security at University and have a keen interest in getting my old kit.

Looking at a 3 router setup for Frame Relay, as well as some firewall technologies (either Nokia or PIX 501's or something similar).

Has anybody got any recommendations or preferred kit?
 
GNS3 will allow you to do this. May be a little bit more fiddly to do the PIX but the support is there. You'll need to get holdl of the images, but this isn't too hard.
 
I prefer the hardware, virtualization seems a bit lame in my eyes. I've done it for a while and would to get my hands on the actual kit.

Thinking £400, 2621's, 2950's and some Nokia IP330/350 firewalls.
 
Id look at Cisco Packet Tracer, unless you are thinking about doing your CCNP in which case id recommend looking at a few 3550 switches and some 26X1XMs routers.
 
Packet tracer is frighteningly easy is the problem I'm having. I want to view real world.

Might bite the bullet on

3x 2651XM's
2x 2950's

Then later on add to my arsenal some checkpoint or PIX firewalls.

I'm planning on doing my CCNA/CCNP and specialise in Security. Eventually I'd like to do network architecture.
 
Try and get at least two routers with serial interfaces (you'll need them for CCNA study) or a couple of serial WIC cards. Always check with sellers the IOS version and capabilities of anything you buy off ebay (sucking eggs I know, but it bears saying).

Don't buy a Pix they are effectively past EOL now. The only exception to this would be a 515E running 7.2, as at least that gets you used to the ASA way of doing things. Also there's no IPv6 support in 6.35, and you will need IPv6 capable kit.

ASA5505's can be had reasonably cheaply now, but for full functionality you'd need a Sec+ license.
A quick look on ebay shows most 5510's are way over priced (from a personal point of view for a home lab), but as a current capable firewall I suppose they justify the price.

Nokia's are just not worth the bother as most Nokia IPxxx devices will have had the HDD pulled, and without a support contract you'll struggle to get a working boot image.

If you want to look at Checkpoint FW1 get hold of the SPLAT images, as you can do a full working install into a VM (certainly with R75) and get 15 days before you need to enter a licence key.
 
Went and bought:

3x 2651XM - 256mb upgrade, and 12.4 IOS, 1 has 2 WIC cards
2x 2950 switches

Cheers for the advice derfley, I will investigate the 5510 as I'd like more 'current' knowledge.

Nokia's I only considered because the place where I work seems to love selling them to clients.

And likewise, many thanks for the SPLAT advice. I have 3 MaxTerm 800Mhz terminals I need to utilise so I will investigate throwing a mexican copy of that on there too.
 
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