netlab vs sim

Dist · 26 Jan 2009 at 12:28

I've just started a CCNA course with the OU, which is part of the cisco academy and so i gain access to both the packet tracer 5.1 software, and access to NetLab. Now it may be explained later on in my course the need for NetLab, but so far it hasn't (although the course has only just started, so it may not have got to it yet).

Sims seem to be better then netlab as it can simulate more types of equipment, and netlab doesn't provide any more of a hands on experience then a sim would, so whats the point? NetLab even requires booking access time and such, so surely i may as well just use the cisco packet tracer?

Skidilliplop · 26 Jan 2009 at 13:07

Dist said:
I've just started a CCNA course with the OU, which is part of the cisco academy and so i gain access to both the packet tracer 5.1 software, and access to NetLab. Now it may be explained later on in my course the need for NetLab, but so far it hasn't (although the course has only just started, so it may not have got to it yet).

Sims seem to be better then netlab as it can simulate more types of equipment, and netlab doesn't provide any more of a hands on experience then a sim would, so whats the point? NetLab even requires booking access time and such, so surely i may as well just use the cisco packet tracer?

yeah packet tracer is ok. I don't like the new version though. For hands on stuff i wouldn't recommend ANY. There's plenty of cisco kit cheap on ebay which is much better.
Packet tracer only lets you do it right with cabling. Which IMO doesn't teach anything as most teething issues will be layer1. The best way to test your understanding is to troubleshoot and fix your mistakes.
Also cables arn't straight lines like in packet tracer, you could do anything in packet tracer but in real life you'd not even be able to cable it up. Half of networking is about being able to wade through a spaghetti mess and sort it all out

Dist · 26 Jan 2009 at 14:27

Well part of the CCNA course with the OU provides several day schools through the course, which provide hands on time with more cisco kit then i could afford (i could get a small lab of the bay, but i dont trust sellers enough with that sort of money). Also most cisco kit on ebay is realy old (which is why its so cheap), so im not sure it would even cover modern CCNA stuff (such as wi-fi).

Im still unsure as to the advantages of netlab. It provides me with remote access to real live routers and switches, but i just dont see how this is different from simply dropping the same equipment into packet tracer and simulating a connection to them to configure.

Jimbo.UK · 26 Jan 2009 at 15:07

Ebay seller IRP70 stocks latest cisco equipment.. like the stuff at my cisco acadamy, at 1/20th of the price. it is working, he provides perfect lab kits for any CCNA student..

Also, if your talking about Simulators for making networks... the best one that i know of, which CCNP students use, is called GNS3... This will require Cisco IOS's installing to it however, and if your on vista, you will require telnet activating or "putty" telnet installing.

Just so that you know, Packet tracer is not real router emulation, it creates a fake software which runs in a similar fashion to a cisco router/switch. I would definatly recommend using GNS which is a true emulation of a cisco IOS of your choice, or purchasing a cisco lab.

Skidilliplop · 26 Jan 2009 at 15:34

Dist said:
Well part of the CCNA course with the OU provides several day schools through the course, which provide hands on time with more cisco kit then i could afford (i could get a small lab of the bay, but i dont trust sellers enough with that sort of money). Also most cisco kit on ebay is realy old (which is why its so cheap), so im not sure it would even cover modern CCNA stuff (such as wi-fi).

Im still unsure as to the advantages of netlab. It provides me with remote access to real live routers and switches, but i just dont see how this is different from simply dropping the same equipment into packet tracer and simulating a connection to them to configure.

I can tell you there are no really major practicals on Wifi. The focus is routing and switching. I bought all my stuff off the-bay some of it isn't even modular it's so old. Age is somewhat irrelevant as the same features are supported. Only for CCNP/CCIE will you need newish kit. CCNA covers only the basics which nearly all routers and switches support. The only thing my 2500s couldn't do is VLAN trunking because it's only included on the models with 10/100 interfaces.

Jimbo.UK · 26 Jan 2009 at 16:27

I agree with skill, apart from the latest CCNA semester 3 is quite a lot of Wifi, Wifi security.. etc..

Sat in on a class today while i was doing an ISCW lab, and they were being taught some fairly deep stuff on Wifi. Not sure how much of it directly mapped back to the exams however, but it was being taught.