Need CCNA equipment advice

[DigitelD]

I was registered for the Cisco Networking Academy that starts in 2 weeks. I found out yesterday that my company will not cover the cost. Why it took this long for them to tell me I don't understand. Of course, they don't understand why I don't understand. I have spent hours researching and preparing for this. Now I will have to do it on my own. We are a telephony shop and I do not do any IT work. They still want me to get my CCNA, at least I hope they do. Any advice on the equipment that I can get that will help me?

SHK Certified (School of Hard Knocks)

 

[burtsbees]

Three 2900 series Catalyst switches, and three 2500 series routers, or two 2500's and at least one 2600 for intervlan routing. I would get one 2503, one 2620, and another 2500 (make sure they come with transceivers), and Catalyst 2924 switches. Have you asked if you can just get the CCENT to start???

Burt

 

[CiscoGuy33]

DigitelD,

Exactly what Burt said on the 2501 or 2503 routers - just make sure they have 16 mgs DRAM and 16 mgs FLASH (that is the max those will hold) as well as the lastest IOS you can get.

Check eBay - several sellers have complete kits with max DRAM and FLASH, transceivers, seial cables etc. as well as latest IOS with a backup on a CD - these can be a little more but saves in shipping with a 1 stop buy! Just watch the ones that keep pushing the CAT 1900 switches for CCNA - you need the 2900s

Do a little shopping around and you can get some great deals. Just make sure you understand which are Token Ring routers (2502 and 2504 to name at least 2)

If you can not get everything - then check

http://www.anthonypanda.com

- he has all the extras you would need like FLASH, DRAM, serial cables, rack ears, transceivers etc. I have bought from him several times and price was always good and parts always worked fine.

Sorry that your company is not paying for your CCNA - lots of companies are doing that as belts are tightened but YOU will get the training and YOU will be a CCNA - will not hurt you in the long run!!!!!!!!!

Hope this helps!


E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +

 

[norteldude78]

For routing excercises I think dynamips w/ dynagen (FREE!) is very useful. It runs real IOS, it is nothing like any simulator you have seen.

I haven't touched my home lab in weeks since I started using it. It will save you money that you can put towards some 2950 switches.

I work with a lot of telephony guys who also need to get the CCNA. Dynamips has been great for them to get familiar with the IOS. Also, read a lot about switching, vlan, vtp and Spanning tree because there will be plenty of that on the test

good luck.

http://dynagen.org/

-B