andyibla978-blog

[andyibla978-blog]

The Untold Secret To Mastering Computer Training In Just 3 Days

CCNA and CCNP candidates hear it continuously: ‘Get some hands-on experience’. From our experience climbing the Cisco certification ladder, I can tell you firsthand that there are no learning like hands-on learning. No simulator in the world will probably provide you with the experience you will get cabling and configuring your personal routers.

Whenever I mention this to one of my students, they always say it costs too much. The truth is, it's cheaper now to develop your individual CCNA and CCNP lab than it has have you ever been. The secret’ Used routers.

The word ‘used’ turns off lots of people very few of us buy used computers or used servers. Cisco routers, though, are robust. I personally own a Cisco 4000 router that I use like a Frame Relay switch inside my lab that I’ve had approximately four years, and I’ve never had a difficulty with it.

The very good news for current CCNA and CCNP candidates interested in building their particular labs is that used Cisco equipment hasn't been more plentiful or cheaper. eBay is a good method of getting a concept of what’s available and what the price is, nevertheless, you don’t have to assemble your lab one piece at any given time. Many eBay vendors who sell used Cisco equipment sell ready-made CCNA and CCNP labs for one price, including cables.

I asked one major vendor of CCNA and CCNP labs, , what the most typical questions are regarding building your personal home lab. Here’s what you needed to say:

Why do I need real routers instead of a simulator?

You desire a physical router,because simulators just don’t be capable of give you the ‘hands on’ you'll want to see how are you affected when you disconnect a cable or put a cable within the wrong location. You will arrive at find quickly that mistakes you're making on Router 1 are affecting Router 5 all when you didn't screw inside a cable properly. No simulator can simulate that.

How many routers do I need?

Two routers really are needed to determine if anything works. If you have a very limited budget, you can receive value from only getting a single router over employing a simulator. However, you'll not manage to understand the main thing we are wanting to accomplish. The propagation of route tables!

The sole method you'll be able to find out if your configurations work, is usually to have at least two routers. Therefore, I recommend that you simply get a dual router kit that accompanies all the accessories you need. Otherwise you can spend days attempting to find all the little extra pieces you have to get your lab up and running.

Do I desire a switch?

Well, it really is nice to get. However, with no more than 2 queries about the exam committed to ‘hands on’ switch knowledge, if you need to skimp on something, skimp on the switch.

What routers and switches should I buy?

Choices, choices, choices! Which 2500/2600 router do I pick’ I will list some positives and negatives of each and every router below, along with current prices (note that prices are generally lower if you purchase a dual router kit rather than single router). Please observe that costs are approximations.

1) Cisco 2501 Router with 16 MB Flash/16MB DRAM $94.99. The cheapest introduction router, also it can support a massive majority with the commands which you will need to master on your CCNA test. All 2500 routers that individuals will discuss have a the least two serial ports plus an Ethernet port.

You will likely need to include a transceiver to this particular unit to convert the Ethernet AUI port to a RJ-45 style Ethernet port.

2) Cisco 2503 Router with 16 MB Flash/16MB DRAM $119.99. This is the same as being a Cisco 2501, except it adds an ISDN port so you'll be able to complete all of your ISDN commands for that CCNA test. You should include a transceiver to convert the Ethernet AUI port for an RJ-45 style Ethernet port.

3) Cisco 2505/2507 with 16 MB Flash/16MB DRAM $109.99. The same like a Cisco 2501 except it features a built-in 8 or 16 port hub so that you do not ought to purchase a transceiver.

4) Cisco 2514 Router with 16 MB Flash/16MB DRAM $149.99. This router is the same as being a Cisco 2501 except as opposed to one Ethernet port you've got two. You may ask, exactly what is the big problem?Well, you are able to employ this because your Cable Modem/DSL Modem router. Now you'll be able to test your ability to setup a firewall and router in a very live environment about the Internet. Lots of fun! You should add two transceivers to convert the Ethernet AUI ports to an RJ-45 style Ethernet ports.

5) Cisco 2520 Router with 16 MB Flash/16MB DRAM $119.99. This is the same as being a 2503 but it also adds two more serial ports so you are able to make use of this as a frame relay switch later with your CCNA studies. It costs the same as being a 2503, making this a great frugal living tip.

6) Cisco 2612 Router with 32 DRAM and 8 MB Flash $199.99. This is a modular router unlike any of the 2500 series routers. So the big advantage of that is you can buy extra modules to include functionality such as more serial ports, ISDN ports, Ethernet ports, WICs and the like. However, due to flexibility you'll pay a bit more. One day it really is a frame relay switch, the subsequent it is your ISDN router. In the long run it'll be less expensive than getting a few dedicated routers for each and every

discipline you want to find out.

7) Cisco 1912 or 1924 Switch with Enterprise Software $109.99. This is a great low priced switch. The only drawback is it is a 10 MB switch except to the two 100 MB uplink ports. Not a problem since you have 10 MB routers.

8) Cisco 2912 or 2924 Switch with Enterprise Software $249.99. This switch will run each of the current commands needed for quality and is a full 100 MB switch.

And if you would like to sell your lab once you complete your certification, you can either negotiate an amount using the vendor who sold it to you personally, or you'll be able to flip it yourself ebay. It’s my experience that 95% of candidates who earn their CCNA go on to pursue their CCNP within 12 months, though, so don’t flip it too quickly.

In the finish, you may spend just a few hundred dollars, so you gain invaluable experience and knowledge that may help you both with your certification quest as well as your job performance. Having worked my way through the CCNA for the CCIE, I can tell you that you simply will learn a lot more from actually configuring and cabling your own equipment than you ever will from any simulation with the genuine thing.