Basic CCNA Lab setup (for self study)?

[EQTitan]

I have the following and wondered what else would be good for setting up a CCNA lab for self study.

I currently have a 2501 router what else is recommended? I'm on a budget and will be buying the equipment from either Here, Craigslist, or Ebay.

 

[1ceHacka]

A console cable is usually used. Without knowing the IP address, not sure how you would get in with telnet or any other tool. Console cables are cheap (serial on one end, rj45 i believe on the other).

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Cisco console/rollover cable http://www.netralized.com/imag...ice/rollover_cable.gif

 

[freegeeks]

the famous blue Cisco rollover cable

 

[EQTitan]

Thanks, I might splurge and just buy a cheap rack setup with console (screen/keyboard)

 

[EQTitan]

bump

 

[freegeeks]

in all honesty, you don't really need a home lab for the CCNA. I used dynamips for the routing part and some simulator for switching. (I had considerable cisco experience before I started with the cert). If you decide to get a home lab, buy something that will be usefull for your CCNP

 

[Jamsan]

To expand on what freegeeks said, you don't really need a lab for CCNA. Dynamips/GNS3 is pretty useful for router stuff, but is very limited on the switch front (yes, there is a 16 port module, but it doesn't have alot of the switch features). My recommendation is to either use Packet Tracker (made by Cisco for the CCNA Academy - you'll need to be resourceful to get it) or build a lab that will be useful for CCNP studies if you plan on going that far.

 

[mcmilljb]

And to add onto what is already said. If you want to spend money on equipment, pick up 3 cheap 2950's with SMI software. You can easily do all the spanning tree/vlan stuff you need for about $100 bucks. All the routing stuff can be done in dynamips/gns3. As you progress, you can link your dynamips/gns3 setup to better switches like some 3550's. The 3550's have dropped in price significantly. You can get them for close to $300.