Router for practice

[5jgibbs]

Could you all do me a favor? I am looking for a Cisco router. I want something that I can use to learn the Cisco IOS. Because reading a book or watching a video does not do anything. I prob want a Cisco 2500 series because they are cheep.

But I want something that can do 100mbs LAN. I want the router to be able to use my cable internet, and then route it to a switch. Just so I can practice with different things.

So I am probably going to get this on eBay because I don’t have a lot of money. So a link or two would be great.

Thanks

Jeremy

 

[JOAMON]

Take a look at the 1700 series. They have a lot of options available. The ethernet interface is fastethernet but you will need a wic-1enet for dual ethernet so look for one with this card in it. A simple fixed configuration dual ethernet router would be the cisco 831. Fixed configuration means that this unit has no wic slots.

 

[5jgibbs]

will that give me most of the functionality of the cisco IOS??

Thanks

 

[plshlpme]

if you really want cost savings your better to go for a 2514 or something... its dual ethernets.. not fastethernets.
but your cable modem will be a 10mb connection anyways and your switch should negotiate at 10mb as well.

by the time you get a 1700 series and an extra fastethernet module youll have spent quite a bit of money.

 

[JOAMON]

The 1700 series only has one fast ethernet and the additional wic is only 10mb for the wan connection. It has more advanced feature sets available for use with other applications such as voice and it can be setup as a VPN server. It really all depends on the money you want to spend. If you are trying to learn Cisco IOS the 2500 series is probably the best first step. Would be a good idea to get two so that you can practice interconnecting and routing between them.

 

[5jgibbs]

ok.. good.. now i just have to get my budget up.. that will take a while. but at least i have some ideas now..

because i am after a ccna, and microsoft cert for 2003 server

 

[JOAMON]

For CCNA go for the 2500. It's what they base their router labs on.

 

[5jgibbs]

ok.. sounds good.. now i just have to find the money lol.. ahh..

that may take a bit.. :-/ lol