Which Router to Buy for 640-802 Exam?

[DjmUK]

Howdy,

I've bought the CCNA 640-802 book. I know there's programming routers involved (which is great) and I was googling around to try and find out which Router I'd need to play around with in order to "know my stuff" - but no luck.

Anyone here can recommend precisely which router/model I should buy off eBay to pass the exam? I know there are simulators out there (too many out there to choose), but I would like a hands on approach.

P.S.

When does the 640-802 exam expire and renew to a different exam number? For example, I don't want to learn and do the exam for 802 if something else is released in 3-months time etc.

Thanks in advance ya'all.

[offroadaaron]

1700 series is a good start for the routers, you'll need at least 2 routers if not 3 and 2 switches.

In ebay you should just be able to type CCNA lab and there should be heaps to choose from.

[DjmUK]

Is this acceptable to learn and pass the CCNA?

Cisco 2610 Router 12.3 3Pack (2600 2620 CCNA CCNP lab)

[offroadaaron]

Is this acceptable to learn and pass the CCNA?

Cisco 2610 Router 12.3 3Pack (2600 2620 CCNA CCNP lab)

Yeah but you'll need switches too.

[DjmUK]

Thanks,

So, those 3 routers are the ones perfect to pass CCNA - plus which switches shall I get, which would be the best budget ones to practice for the exam(s)?

[Mysterio]

I used this:

http://www.boson.com/

I not only got my CCNA, but my CCNP as well with this sim.

[DjmUK]

Nice one - I'll download it now and try on my laptop (rather pay the money on the hardware, so hopefully this sim has a trial period).

Edited January 3, 2010 by DjmUK

[Mysterio]

Well..hmmm...

[DjmUK]

Well, I mean the hardware seems cheaper plus I won't need to keep switching between Win and Linux. But I am looking into the simulator option ;)

[offroadaaron]

2900 Series should be fine for a switch.

If your going to emulate I dunno if its legal or not but GNS3 is the best of the best.

[offroadaaron]

If your going to emulate I dunno if its legal or not but GNS3 is the best of the best.

Its in the ubuntu repositories so I guess is has to be legal.

[cybertimber2008]

In our lab we had the 2600XM routers (need enough ram to run 12.2 (the earliest being w/ SSH support) or 12.3 (which has IPv6). The specific one is the "IP_BASE" firmware.

For switches we had.... 2590's and 3590's.

[DjmUK]

So, you had:

1x 2600XM

1x 2950

1x 3950

That's what's in the CCNA lab test? I know the more the merrier (say, 3x 2600 routers | 3x 2950 switches etc.) but whatever the minimum is...plus I'm downloading GNS3 now (thanks for that - just gotta' learn about the IOS to install). I may just get the hardware aswell for my own usage etc.

This is getting all exciting - Chapter 1's OSI Layer's are fun (well, at Layers 2 & 3 anyway) :D

Edited January 5, 2010 by DjmUK

[DjmUK]

I've just started reading this, and am I correct in assuming that I need to buy the IOS for a router(s) when buying a router/switch? A license per device sorta' deal? How much are we talking about here?

Edited January 5, 2010 by DjmUK

[Sn00pY]

Dynamips/GNS3 should be enough to do you for CCNA.

The Composite exam you have picked is a BITCH imho. Real tough exam... You should have done ICND1 and ICND2 :)

Learn NAT/PAT - that was a big lab the last time I completed the CCNA :)

[bruNo_]

why don't you use Cisco Packet Tracer ?

[nabz0r Veteran]

why don't you use Cisco Packet Tracer ?

+1. I used that for first two books and they just works fine.

P.S Our Network Engineer recommended ASA 5505 when I was studying those 2 first books, and ASA 5505 is just more than great. :)

[t_r_nelson]

why don't you use Cisco Packet Tracer ?

Packet Tracer is a nice program. I was able to mock up the exact configuration of the classroom lab. And you can actually watch packets move between the networks and watch how they change at each hop.

There was one thing that CPT couldn't do, though. I can't remember what it was, but it does have limited functionality. I passed the CCNA using it as my lab environment, so I didn't miss it. I just studied that area more from a text standpoint.

[KiHu]

Agreed, used Cisco Packet Tracer for CCNA here. Worked Great.