purchasing router... need your opinion.

[teknoguy]

I am new to the cisco world and would like to get certified in the near future. Im currently looking at buying a router. I have tryed the router sims but they don't offer the full functionallity of a hardware router. In your opinion what would be a good router to learn on..
i have posted a previous thread many months ago and people were saying that a 2500 series router would have problems due to the PPPOE that most ISP's are using. would a 1600 series router suffice? or should i just go with a 2500 series router?

thanks.
"Always think simple"

 

[wybnormal]

For starters I disagree with *most ISPs* use PPPOE.. some do but many dont. For example, none of the DSL providers or cable here in my neighborhood use PPPOE.

Even if they did, I would strongly suggest something like a Linksys *router* be the be the firewall/network interface so you can freely play with the router and not lose your access when a mistake is made. The linksys widgets are running about 60 bucks new and will make your life much easier.

internet--linksys---hub---2514----LAN

So whats with the hub you ask? it's a poor mans DMZ to let you hang extra stuff on the internet without opening up your LAN to risk. THings like webservers, terminal servers and so on.

Or

internet---linksys------hub-----LAN
|__2514----testlan

MikeS
Find me at

http://www.packetattack.com

"Take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots."
Sun Tzu

 

[teknoguy]

i have a linksys 5 port hub. will it work with cisco routers?
also here are some routers im looking at on ebay.
2524 series (with no cards) what does that mean? i looked at the picture and it did have a eth 10baseT port.
im also looking at a 2514 router. and a 1602 R /w 4mb ram.
whats the big diff between a 1600 series router and a 2500 router? "Always think simple"

 

[wybnormal]

The 5 port hub will work fine with the cisco routers. But get one of the firewalls to keep unwanted guests out of your computers/network.

The 2524 was an *expandable* router but it's been EOL(end of life) and cards are very hard to come by.

The 2514 is pretty cheap nowdays.. I have the monthly average listed on my site..

http://www.packetattack.com/certification_study.html

plus presorted ebay links.

The 1605 is pretty much the samething as a 2514.. smaller footprint, quiter(no fan).. uses an external PCMCIA flash card for the IOS code vs.. internal flash chips like the 2514.. the big difference is the packet throughput for lab work, get the cheapest one

MikeS

Find me at

http://www.packetattack.com

"Take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots."
Sun Tzu

 

[sixtoedsloth]

Hi there,

i was wondering....

i have a number of sites linked by ip ddr isdn on 801 routers
can i set it up so any host on my network can see any host
on the remote sites , but only selected hosts on there
network can see selected hosts on my network??

cheers

Russ

 

[sixtoedsloth]

er sorry....

i posted a question, while in a thread.
i was having a blond moment!

 

[teknoguy]

do most of the cisco routers on ebay come with the IOS?
how would i know they come with it? "Always think simple"

 

[teknoguy]

I will be taking a ccna course in a couple months and am just wondering which router would best fit my needs for learning. i am looking on ebay at 2514,1604 or 1602 routers
it seems the 1602 routers are generally cheaper then the 2514,1604,1605. $$ is an issue with me at the moment and am thinking of going for a 1602. what feature would i be missing if i were to go buy a 1602?
or should i just fork up the doe and get a better model which will help me more during my studies. "Always think simple"

 

[Netguys]

Me too just start it too, that is why I brought my 2524, but 2514 is easy than 2524, this is depent what you want to do, if just want learn about IOS and you can hoop up
2514 in between two PC or Unix system, also can be share you internet access and use
the router as a firewall. 2524 is hard to config, but you have more option to change module. So far I try to use the 2524 ethernet port and the console port for Lan to Lan, but still working on it.

 

[netmediasystems]

my suggestion would be something smaller than a 2500 series. that is just overkill to learn on, when the IOS feature set on something cheaper will teach you the fundamentals. If you have a dsl line from pacbell you can get a 800 series and that works great(YOU CAN THROW THEIR MODEM IN THE TRASH AND HAVE THE ROUTER NEGOITATE WITH THE DSLAM) be careful though, some of the dsl architecture WILL NOT work with cisco negoitation...ie Verizon. you must have their modem in line to create the negoitation with there frame relay network.(for the 800 series in a dsl arrangement with verizon.net). If the people reading this are Cisco newbee's, understand that the biggest difference your going to find on a smaller and bigger series router for modeling is the price. for cable modem, the little soho71 work great...you can even set-up the CBAC or stateful firewall.

 

[wybnormal]

Always look down the road and at the *big* picture. While I agree you can get a router and hang it off your DSL/CABLE line, and thats great.. I dont recommend it. It's a real pain when you are learning something new and whack the router.. then find out you need a new image/document/help file and there is NO internet connection since the router is now whacked.

I run a used but effective WebRamp firewall( used to be a high end SOHO router/firewall) which I paid under 60 for on Ebay. This is ALWAYS on.. there are 4 switch ports on the back.. one goes the 2514 which firewalls off my LAN.. one goes to a cheap hub and I have a 501-CS terminal server on that poor mans DMZ for access to my rack either on the road or from the LAN. I use gotomypc.com to get desktop access via the web and I use X-10 modules to control all the routers/switches on the rack from either a handheld or the PC.

On the cable router( I have a 900 series), there is a PIX 501 on the DHCP served side right now as part of my security lab.

Not bad for a single IP address and 5 DHCP private IPs from the cable company. I have 2 labs, a protected LAN and everything is firewalled. There is very little I can screw up and not still get out to retrive files or documents or ???

With regard to 1600s vs 2500s..

For CCNA go price.. BUT!!!! remember that the 1600s are cheap, the cards (WICs) are not. You will pay more for a 1600 with a single serial and then buy the WIC for another.. then you will for a 4 serialk port/2 serial port 2500 series. The 1600s do not have an AUX port which is important for back to back failover links in the lab, DDR, modems etc.

Just my opinions.. your milage WILL vary

MikeS
Find me at

http://www.packetattack.com

"Take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots."
Sun Tzu