IT Technician Certifications

[Caleb]

In my CCNA lab I had three routers, each with T1 serial interfaces, and Ethernet interfaces. I also had two switches, T1 cables, each router had IOS 12.X on them. That's been a long time ago.

You could do it with two routers I guess.

Are there not 6 routers listed? Or am I overlooking something?

 

[PistolBob]

Are there not 6 routers listed? Or am I overlooking something?

Caleb, you listed a whole raft of stuff...with a couple of the items in bold...so I thought you were looking at getting the bold stuff.

All you need is two routers, two switches.

The routers need to be running IOS 12.X and they need to have some sort of serial interface so you can simulate a WAN link from one to the other, and they need to have an ethernet interface so you can connect them to the switches. The switches represent your LANs. You will need the correct cable to connect the two WAN ports.

Some older model Cisco routers, like the 2507, or 2510 (these are ancient but still run IOS 12.X) have built in 10 or 12 port switches. So in theory you could make a CCNA lab with just two of those and the WAN cable and interface. I have seen these on eBay as cheap as $25 each.

You do not need 6 routers for a CCNA lab.

Wendell Odom is the GUY to read when it comes to CCNA study.

Building Your Own Cert Lab

If you haven't already, I suggest you go to the Cisco Learning Site and get an account setup. They have FREE forums, test prep materials, instructional games, and lots of other helps.

The Cisco Learning Network

Good luck with your studies.

 

[iChokePeople]

^^ +1

 

[KLB]

I'm a little late to this thread but I will chime in. I am currently what you would call a Cisco Engineer. I have been for longer than I care to think about. If you want to work with Cisco products get your CCNA and your CCDP. The CCNa is only good as an introduction. It is not really going to get you into the door for many jobs, the CCNP can.

 

[PistolBob]

I'm a little late to this thread but I will chime in. I am currently what you would call a Cisco Engineer. I have been for longer than I care to think about. If you want to work with Cisco products get your CCNA and your CCDP. The CCNa is only good as an introduction. It is not really going to get you into the door for many jobs, the CCNP can.

Caleb, this is true.

The CCNA is HUGELY better than any CompTIA Junior G-Man Cert, but honestly it is just the jumping off spot if you want an IT career working with routers, switches, WANs and LANs.

I still say virtualization, storage, and cloud is where I'd suggest a newbie concentrate...but it all needs networking. Networks still have to be planned, installed and maintained for any of it to work.

 

[Caleb]

I'm a little late to this thread but I will chime in. I am currently what you would call a Cisco Engineer. I have been for longer than I care to think about. If you want to work with Cisco products get your CCNA and your CCDP. The CCNa is only good as an introduction. It is not really going to get you into the door for many jobs, the CCNP can.

I do not know if this is a typo or you intended to tell me to get ccna, then ccnp AND ccdp or was it ccna, then ccnp?

 

[KLB]

I do not know if this is a typo or you intended to tell me to get ccna, then ccnp AND ccdp or was it ccna, then ccnp?

Hmmm...Typo. The CCNP would be better as a beginner. CCDP could be a good addition once you get some experience.

Once thing to consider, if there are smaller companies where you are you will want to be an IT generalist. If there are bigger companies then it is better to specialize.

 

[Caleb]

For a CCNA lab you should be able to get by with this:

https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/docs/DOC-4462

I tried downloading this, but website is off line