Help with my Cisco Labs

to be honest i'd stick with the simulators for CCNA, for my CCNP I used 5 3750s patched together which meant i could configure just about anything without altering the patching. Nice setup but something you'd need to get your employer to organise cost wise.
 
eXSBass said:
I still don't understand. Do I actually HAVE to install Windows XP on each virtual machine or not?
As for ISOs, can I just rip an ISO using nLite?
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Just make and image of your xp disk (ISO) then mount it with vmware, install the os then duplicate the os. its virtual remember.
 
Which means I'll have to allocate more than 1Gb per machine as I have.
Okay, i'll allocate 8Gb to each machine.

What software would you recommend I make the ISO with?
I was thinking nLite.

Edit: Mr. Shark. I've tried the simulators. They're not my cup of tea. The way I learn is by touching and feeling (no sick thoughts there boys! ;) ) Thus, I need some routers and switches next to me :)
 
eXSBass said:
Which means I'll have to allocate more than 1Gb per machine as I have.
Okay, i'll allocate 8Gb to each machine.

What software would you recommend I make the ISO with?
I was thinking nLite.

Edit: Mr. Shark. I've tried the simulators. They're not my cup of tea. The way I learn is by touching and feeling (no sick thoughts there boys! ;) ) Thus, I need some routers and switches next to me :)
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fair enough, I'd avoid 1600s then, they're very old and don't do a lot, the functionality is better on 2500s and they'll be useful if you go on to your CCNP
 
zen62619 said:
Just make and image of your xp disk (ISO) then mount it with vmware, install the os then duplicate the os. its virtual remember.
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Hadn't thought about it that way - you can just install it on one virtual hard disk, and then copy that disk over to the other VMs (or snapshot - restore). Saves you installing three times.
 
Edit the settings of the VM, select the cd drive and check the "mount iso" box - give it the filename of the iso.

Simple :)
 
Beautiful. I've got it working! I've got Windows XP installed on the VM. All I need to do is allocate individual NICs and away I go with my labs!

Thanks for all your support and help.


All I need to do now is decide on my kit.

Edit: I was advised to install VM Tools on each OS. Where can I find VM tools?

Edit 2: http://www.vmware.com/support/ws4/doc/new_guest_tools_ws.html is this it?

Edit 3: I read the link. I've got it installed. And I LOVE VMWare :D
 
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You might wanna consider remote labs,,,

I know part of the CCNA is getting to know the physical kit but after a while you only look at it when your connecting stuff :) the rest of the time is spent at the cli.. I use 3 labs for my CCIE study (including my own with 12 routers and 4 switches), but most of my stuff is done remotly, its so much easier and cheaper, I can get on with what i'm doing when im learning scenarios as opposed to messing around for ages with cables and what not. I only use my own lab for playing around with certain things...

http://www.ccie4u.com/rack3.htm

They're 3rd rack is made for CCNA style stuff, its pretty good and only $8 for a 4 hour slot...

However you do it, remote labs are a very quick, easy and cheap way to get up and running..
 
I don't have money to spend each hour mate. I'm going to buy my labs slowly one step at a time. The first 2 weeks i'll buy a router and switch. Then, as money progresses, another two routers and switches to complete my lab. Thanks for the offer.
I've made my final decision and it's going to be the actual labs.

I'm having trouble assigning each individual NIC to an OS. I've followed what growse said.

growse said:
Once you've done that for the 3 virtual computers you need (installing VMWare tools on each OS is a good idea as well), you need to 'assign' each vm to a nic. First, edit the settings of each vm to set the ethernet connection to "custom". Set the first vm to VMnet1, the second to VMnet2 etc. Then, go "Host"->"Virtual Network Settings"->"Host Virtual Network Mapping". Here you should see a list of each VMnet adaptor, and a dropdown box next to each one. Assign each physical nic on the host to each VMnet.
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What's the exact trouble? Have you assigned each VM it's own VMnet (VMnet1, VMnet2 etc)? Are the physical nics showing up in that dialog box?
 
I'll talk to you next time your on msn eXSBass. Got your add at 1am but I was in bed watching a dvd.
 
Out of interest, do you have access to a CCO partner account? (do you work for a Cisco partner in other words?). If so, their latest certification labs are fantastic. I used them to get through my CCSP when i came across things i hadnt done in my day to day job (Authentication proxy etc).

If you do, for CCNA i would recommend them over forking out for the lab personally. They are free if you work for a partner.

Otherwise check out http://www.nil.si/english

They are the people who provide the labs to cisco. Pretty sure they charge a one off yearly fee but you would have to look into that yourself.

You get access to real routers/firewalls/whatever as well as being able to RDP onto the servers/hosts in a java applet. Its top banana ;)
 
How are you doing your CCNA eXSBass? I was looking at doing it at the OU, which is just following cisco academy stuff afaik. But now i think i wanna buy my own lab and learn from books at my own pace.
 
Update 30-09-06

I've managed to acquire the following:
D-Link DES-818 Switch (free)
D-Link DES-810 Switch (free)
Cisco 2501 Router (£30)


ciscolabs001mediumhw0.jpg


ciscolabs004mediumui7.jpg


So far, i'm a happy bunny. Those D-Link switches will go as soon as I need a managed switch (edit: as soon as I need a Cisco Catalyst) :)
Hopefully, i'll be getting a Cisco 2514 in a few weeks.
 
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