CCNA lab hardware - software alternative?

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mysticBoer

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Hi there,

I work as an engineer for a software company in Cape Town. We deal with Cisco clients a lot and I've decided that I want to dive into the Cisco world as well by doing a CCNA.

Now, everywhere you look for study guides, etc, you will see people mentioning that you have to buy some LAB kit in order to build your own little lab to do your excersizes on. This is all well and good, but I don't want a load of old Cisco equipment standing in my small home office.

Is there perhaps some kind of software out there (something like http://www.gambitcomm.com/site/products/vlab_ccna.shtml but just a bit cheaper or free preferably) ?

There must be a way one can build your own virtual lab for training purposes?
 
Download PacketTracer5 from cisco's website or seach the web for it. IF you do a course and signup with cisco's network academy you can get access to there sight and download it.
 
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You can read up on Dynamips it's free software that you can run actual Cisco images on. Takes getting use to but it's the closest your going to get.
 
Yep, found that by googling...that together with GNS3 makes for an interesting combination as well, but for now I think packet tracer is more than what I hoped for.
 
I'll be 100% honest with you.

I used the simulators and it helped but it's not he same as having the actual devices and working on it ;) I bought a Cisco router, Cisco wireless router and a 24 port layer 2 switch all for R 2500 on BoB. Give it a shot, you might get as lucky as I did :p
 
Pitbull said:
I'll be 100% honest with you.

I used the simulators and it helped but it's not he same as having the actual devices and working on it ;) I bought a Cisco router, Cisco wireless router and a 24 port layer 2 switch all for R 2500 on BoB. Give it a shot, you might get as lucky as I did :p
Click to expand...

its not identical, but i am going through ccsp labs usign dynamips and gotta say, getting the experience i need from it..
 
I used GNS3 - great product and it best of all it was free.... Problem was the switching side... No support for anyswitching IOS.

When I did my CCIP I went through a company in the UK that supplied a home lab with my online courses. Got to keep the equipment for a month after the training which was a big help.
 
solo7 said:
Download PacketTracer5 from cisco's website or seach the web for it. IF you do a course and signup with cisco's network academy you can get access to there sight and download it.
Click to expand...

I got my CCNA a few months back and thats all you need no real hardware needed. Get CBT Nuggets and Odem Exam Guide 2nd ed for ICND1 and ICND2.... also check out www.careercert.info but dont use braindumbs as it will not help your career.
 
I'd suggest trying what Pitbull says- if you can and have the money. You will be shocked to see how things work in the field if you are only used to working on simulators :D
 
I think if you are starting out on Cisco devices running out splashing that amount of cash on the real thing and you have never even seen the CLI. Its truly dumb. Yes if you can get your hands on a router or a switch its great but. For the CCNA packettracer was all that i needed and it supported everything i needed to setup. I dont see how people starting out in IT would need to waiste money on getting a lab up and running when its not fully needed. Yes in the real world alot of this dont work like said in cisco documentation or on Cert Tracks. I had the option to use a full CCIE R&S lab setup by my company. But to be fair The sims where fine to get me comfortable in the CLI and understanding its lay out and implementations. Im currently working towards my CCNP where i would say YES you need about 4 Routers(nothing bigger than a 2600) and 6 Switches (Layer3 switches they cost an arm and a leg) for a nice lab.
 
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