Cisco IOS Simulation Software?

Pygmy_Shrew · 16 Feb 2007 at 23:59

Im currently doing my CCNA 2 and would really benefit from something that will enable me to practice on a Cisco Router IOS setup and commands, could any of you recommend some suitable simulators? ive seen and tried a few, they were 'ok' but were very limited in their commands.

sw1 · 17 Feb 2007 at 12:35

Always best to get hold of 2 - 3 routers, you can get a couple of 2600's dirct chepa on ebay these days.

Simulators are very limited, I tried them a few years back when I was doing my CCNP.

Apparently their is a program you can get that allows you to actually run IOS i.e. not simultate it. I will find it and get back to you.

Xenoxide · 17 Feb 2007 at 16:51

Have a google for Packet Sniffer 3.2 (4.0 is out now but imo 3.2 is better) by Cisco.

It's a really simple networking diagraming and simulation tool, using Cisco equipment templates. Each device has a really simple simulation of Cisco IOS running on it.

modo77 · 17 Feb 2007 at 17:16

None of them have the full list of commands unfortunatly, as said just pick up a couple of routers and maybe 1 switch. They are pretty cheap.

Dist · 17 Feb 2007 at 17:55

sw1 said:
Always best to get hold of 2 - 3 routers, you can get a couple of 2600's dirct chepa on ebay these days.

Simulators are very limited, I tried them a few years back when I was doing my CCNP.

Apparently their is a program you can get that allows you to actually run IOS i.e. not simultate it. I will find it and get back to you.

simulators do have 1 advantage over hardware, they can simlulate problems that you have to diagnose and solve. with hardware, once its all set up, thats it done, if you want to practice diagnosing a problem and solving it, you first have to screw up the routers config, and in doing so, yourll know exactly how to fix it, which skips trying to diagnose problems, and doesnt help teach you.