Used Cisco equipment?

[netsysadmin]

OK I have just signed up for my CCNA class and i am looking for some lab equipment. I know about ciscokits.com already and have checked them out. I am also looking to see if anyone has had any dealings with any particular ebay vendors that they trust? I know there is a good amount of counterfeit Cisco gear out there and I don't want to end up with one of those. Can anyone suggest any good place to buy used Cisco gear?

Also I have been debating what to get for the lab. I dont mind spending a little extra now to get gear that I can use for a CCNP down the road. Would the 3640 with 128/32 be a good choice since it is so versatile and can be used later for the CCNP cert?

Thanks for any info!!

John

 

[jlazzaro]

dont buy from ciscokits.com....i've dealt with ebay member "best_routers" in the past, always top notch.

3640's are definately the way to go if you plan on CCNP. keep in mind however the 3640 has no fixed LAN ports or WIC slots, so plan on buying at the minimum something like a NM-1FE2W.

also, dont forget about good 'ol dynamips

 

[Oakenfold]

You might even try your luck in the FS/FT forum.

 

[narzy]

for courses, I've had really good luck with netsim from Boson I've found their sims to be up to the task for all CCNA labs and they have a product for CCNP as well which looks well done. I've also worked a bit with virtual simulations you can rent online, they run on real hardware and you are pretty good access as well as an "oh sh!t switch" that lets you set everything back to default if you horribly screw something up.

in terms of equipment, someone is selling a nice cisco switch on FS/FT right now at an unbelievable price, I've never gone the ebay route so I couldn't give you any input there.

 

[narzy]

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...id=45&threadid=2035992

 

[Kelemvor]

I have a switch for sale.. See my sig...

EDIT: Ah heh. Narzy posted my link. Thanks for the publicity.

 

[netsysadmin]

OK since I have some Cisco guys in here I am going to ask another question. For the CCNA tests which do you think is better? The one test (640-802) or the two test setup (640-822 & 640-816)? I am currenty a Sys Admin with 7+ years experience so i am not a newbie. I have a good grasp on networking in general, but i have never worked on Cisco gear.

Thanks again!!

John

 

[networkman]

Originally posted by: netsysadmin
OK since I have some Cisco guys in here I am going to ask another question. For the CCNA tests which do you think is better? The one test (640-802) or the two test setup (640-822 & 640-816)? I am currenty a Sys Admin with 7+ years experience so i am not a newbie. I have a good grasp on networking in general, but i have never worked on Cisco gear.

Thanks again!!
John

I'm in about the same boat as you, John. From my perspective and learning style, I'd rather go the two test route. Granted, that usually means more money out of pocket, but I find that the first test gives me a good gauge for how well I'll do on the 2nd; if I barely pass it, then I know I've got study harder, and if I fail it, well.. OTOH, if I rock the first one, then I know I've got a solid base to work with on the 2nd.

My two cents.

 

[Oakenfold]

Whatever route you end up going should be based on your personal study style. I was preparing for the 2 test approach before landing a job in a different field.

 

[mcmilljb]

Originally posted by: netsysadmin
OK since I have some Cisco guys in here I am going to ask another question. For the CCNA tests which do you think is better? The one test (640-802) or the two test setup (640-822 & 640-816)? I am currenty a Sys Admin with 7+ years experience so i am not a newbie. I have a good grasp on networking in general, but i have never worked on Cisco gear.

Thanks again!!

John

How long is the class and what experience do you have with Cisco routers? Since you're taking the class, have a networking background and will have practice equipment, I don't see why you would waste money and time on 2 exams. Plus you can get discount vouchers which will save you money, so you don't have to worry about failing the first time. When I was recertifying on the 801 exam, I failed it the first time by like a few points. I just blamed it on a lack of serious practice/preparing, but I got out the routers and went through every problem I could remember. The second time I took it I got a 949. I paid less because of discount vouchers so it wasn't too big of a hit to the wallet. I think since you seem more serious than average person doing the exam, you would be better off not doing the simulators. For the price of them, you could pick up some cheap routers and get more bang for the buck. I just think you are not the target for their product. Although if there is a novice without much experience, the simulators might provide a less intimidating introduction. The key is practicing labs and learning the concepts.

Websites with usually good discounts:
www.getcertify4less.com/ (awesome discount on cisco right now, $89 if you test by 2-23)
www.itexamvouchers.com/ (they are mixed bag on cisco, but they usually provide some goodies too)

 

[netsysadmin]

Well I have been doing Microsoft classes for a while now so I know that I prefer a little longer/slower class. Most of the places here do week long boot camps for the CCNA which I think is crap and just a sales gimmick. Just shove those students through and make as much $$$$ as possible. There is a state school that offers a 48 hour long CCNA class. That works out to two nights a week four hours a night for six weeks. Which to me that sounds like a class that is trying to teach you not just make a buck. they also have a six month long MCSE compared to most that are three months. The reason I am going is because it is free for me. I have a training budget and need to spend the money by June of this year. I was looked at Microsoft Server 2008 classes, but are still not really offered here so I hit up my bosses to see if I go to a CCNA class and they said OK. After paying for the class it leaves me with plenty of left over money to buy a bunch of server 2008 and exchange 2007 books and some practice tests for the CCNA and MCITP for Microsoft.

John

 

[netsysadmin]

Hey guys one other lab equipment question. If I buy a 2950 with the standard IOS image can I load the enteprise IOS image on it with no issues? I was just wondering if there is something internal on the switches that know what level IOS is loaded?

Thanks,

John

 

[dphantom]

Depends on the memory the 2950 has and if it can support the Enterprise version of the IOS and which IOS train you are on. I believe Enterprise has additional memory required above base IOS.

 

[cjvon]

My CCNA instructor said that the test is based off the 2950 router. I've found some used cisco equipment on craiglist and, of course, ebay.

I just started a new job and my boss have me a 2610 router and 2 2950s.

I prefer to use real Cisco gear as opposed to sims. If you get a networking job you won't be on a sim plus there are some differences between various IOS versions.

 

[netsysadmin]

I think you mean a 2950 switch...not router.

John

Originally posted by: cjvon
My CCNA instructor said that the test is based off the 2950 router. I've found some used cisco equipment on craiglist and, of course, ebay.

I just started a new job and my boss have me a 2610 router and 2 2950s.

I prefer to use real Cisco gear as opposed to sims. If you get a networking job you won't be on a sim plus there are some differences between various IOS versions.

 

[DainBrammage]

The 2950 is most definately a switch and not a router.

If you are still looking for a 2950 PM me I have one for sale as well as CISCO 1200 series AP's.

 

[cjvon]

:thumbsup: yes switch.

 

[ForumMaster]

i know it's not the same, but i'm learning for the CCNA and the newer CCENT tests through the cisco network academy. cisco provides a program called packet tracer that is a network design simulator. it does contain the 2950 as well as the 2960 switch as well as series 1800 and 2800 routers.

if requested, i can get you the program (packet tracer 4.11) if you want. it is pretty comprehensive and has all most all of the features that the real IOS has.

 

[drebo]

Simulators are nice...i've used the Boson one, myself...but there's just no substitute for actually plugging the cables in and fiddling around with a real router.