Advice on what to buy, what is worth what, and so forth

Advice on what to buy, what is worth what, and so forth Register Help Remember Me? What's New Today's Posts Forum Actions Mark Forums Read Advanced Search Forum Cisco CCNA / CCENT Advice on what to buy, what is worth what, and so forth + Reply to Thread Results 1 to 7 of 7 Thread: Advice on what to buy, what is worth what, and so forth Thread Tools Show Printable Version Subscribe to this Thread… Castillian Junior Member Registered Member Join Date Dec 2013 Posts 2 12-03-2013 04:55 PM #1 Advice on what to buy, what is worth what, and so forth

Greetings.

I realize that there is already another thread about being "new to cisco and what do I get," and this is one of those, but I had some other questions, too.

Do all Cisco routers have their IOS in a form that can be upgraded without much issue?
If I get a "tiny" router (one of the 1721's I believe), is it going to be any different than a 3500(?) series as far as functionality is concerned? Do I get "more" out of "more" as far as the learning and home network functionality is concerned?

I know that "Lab kits" are a waste of money, but I also do not want to wind up missing equipment.

As far as I know:
I need a router with a W1-T or W2-T card.
I want fast ethernet switches, because I would be going live with this on my home network.
I need an OOB modem, but don't know 'what' to get.
I don't know what cables I need.
I don't know if I need anything more than just the router and switch.
I am assuming I need multiples of both.


Signed,

AnotherCiscoNoob.

Quote  
Login/register to remove this advertisement. Jon_Cisco Member Join Date Aug 2013 Posts 59
Certifications A+ 12-03-2013 05:48 PM #2

I am pretty new to Cisco myself. I decided to get 2 routers and 2 switches so I would have a solid starting point. That was 3 months ago and so far I am still using mostly packet tracer and GNS3 to get use to the interfaces. I am a firm believer in working on real equipment but you wont need it to start.

I think I started with the 2610xm routers because they were capable of running the 14 IOS but I don't know if they would run 15.
I am considering purchasing a layer 3 switch and a 1841 router in the next couple months as I get more into the hands on labs.

I know this does not answer your questions but don't rush the equipment. Figure out how you are gonna study and buy pieces as you need them and they are cheap. You will figure out the cables you are missing as soon as you try to connect the equipment. That not a good answer either but patience is your friend here. The mistakes you make are part of the process.

Good Luck

Quote   RouteMyPacket Senior Member Join Date Aug 2012 Location Dallas Posts 590
Certifications CCWNIA (Cisco Certified Wannabe Know It All) 12-03-2013 05:59 PM #3

How far do you want to take this? CCNP?

I would recommend you leverage Packet Tracer/GNS3 as these are more than enough to complete your CCNA. I would then suggest buying equipment that will carry you through CCNP. The hardware varies from throughput, features and IOS versions.

Switches: 2950 (L2), 3550 (L3), 3560 (L3, needed for CCNP features)


Routers: 2600XM, 1841, WIC-2T cards


Some others can chime in on routers, I prefer the 1841's but make sure you have 256DRAM and at least 64MB Flash to support ios v15

Quote   Castillian Junior Member Registered Member Join Date Dec 2013 Posts 2 12-03-2013 11:44 PM #4

Can those routers do ipsec VPN, and do they have firewalls like the PIX? Can I configure them to work with no-ip?
Before I jump into anything I just want to make sure that the hardware is good enough to both learn on, and last a long time while doing everything it needs to do.
How do I get a hold of a newer IOS if the routers don't have it?

Quote   Corndork2 IT Automation Analyst Join Date Dec 2009 Location Peoria, Illinois Posts 215
Certifications A+ (2009), Network+ (2009), A+ CE, Network+ CE, Security+ CE, CDIA+, CWTS, CCENT, CCNA, MTCNA, MTCRE, MTCWE, MTCTRE, BAIS, BACNS, BAEFS, JNCIA-JUNOS Yesterday 03:08 PM #5

They definitely can.

I recommend the 1841 with maxed RAM and Flash, or a 2801 / 2811. Those are all right at the $100 mark. If you want to spend a little more, the 2821 has more PPS throughput and gigabit interfaces. The 2821 will also do 15.2T+.

Just as RouteMyPacket (awesome name) said, you'd want to get equipment that takes your through CCNP. Otherwise, simulation tools may be a better fit.

Brocade: BAIS, BACNS, BAEFS Cisco: CCENT, CCNA R&S CWNP: CWTS Juniper: JNCIA-JUNOS
CompTIA: A+ (2009), Network+ (2009), A+ CE, Network+ CE, Security+ CE, CDIA+
Mikrotik: MTCNA, MTCRE, MTCWE, MTCTCE VMware: VCA-DV

Quote   f0rgiv3n Connection Overlord Join Date May 2008 Location Idaho Posts 500
Certifications A+, N+, S+, MCSA(2k3), CCNA, CCNA Security, CCNP, JNCIA-Junos, JNCIS-Sec, CISSP Yesterday 06:31 PM #6

I agree with RouteMyPacket. You don't need too much equipment to accomplish what you need. Try out GNS3 and start practicing on there to get yourself going on routers. The switches wont' work on GNS3 because they use ASICS which are hardware based chips so they cannot be virtualized. That's why you'll need to get yourself a couple of real switches in order to get hands on experience with them.

CCNP/CCNA, IT Study Material Reviews: IT-Ghosts.com
How to pass the CCNA Kickass Style
IT Certifications - Where to Start

Quote   RouteMyPacket Senior Member Join Date Aug 2012 Location Dallas Posts 590
Certifications CCWNIA (Cisco Certified Wannabe Know It All) Yesterday 07:27 PM #7

I agree with everyone who agrees with me as well. Here here!

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