Learning Cisco equipment

[cyberd0g]

Hello,
I am looking to learn more about cisco networking hardware and IOS by setting up my home office network with some relatively cheap and decent Cisco equipment. I have a cable modem supplying internet service. Could someone please recommend me a cisco router and switch that would suit me, without overkill? I need about 8 ports, preferably 100mbps. I also am looking to mess with vlans, so also something capable for that.

Thank you,
Bret

 

[JOAMON]

Well that would kind of depend on your budget.
For the router one possibility could be:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=64067&item=5771601074&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

As for the switch the 2950 would be a good one to work with

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=67334&item=5772967130&rd=1

 

[robertjo24]

The Cisco 2600 series routers are going out of production very soon. Keep an eye out for one of these units on EBAY. The prices should be coming down.
A 2610/2611 with 10 Meg ports shouldn't be too exspensive.
There is also the 2620/2621 witht he 100 Meg ports, but they will cost you more.

I agree witht he 2950 model switch. You should be able to get a 2950-12 fairly reasonable.

 

[cyberd0g]

Thanks for all of your help, those 2 seem to be a perfect combination.