On Sat, 28 Oct 2000, Greg Cain wrote:
> Hello Friends,
>
> Hopefully this question won't be considered too basic for you folks,
> but I need some serious advice on hardware necessary to achieve my
> CCNP status by next winter. I have pretty much been given this time
> frame by my girlfriend as she has become very homesick and wishes to
> move back there no later than end of 2001. Problem is, I currently
> live in a very technically rich job market and will be moving to an
> area that is not. I feel that to at least maintain my current salary
> once I move, I will need to have my CCNP completed before anyone in my
> new home market would consider paying me what I currently make.
>
> What is the absolute minimum hardware requirement necessary not only
> to get past the exams but also to give me hands on experience to get a
> good salary offer? By the way, I'm not interested in just the money
> but would love to become more knowledgeable with networking so please
> don't think that I'm only looking to become a "paper CCNP". As many of
> you know and the others will one day learn, money does matter !
This is long, but trying to give good advice. Anyone can feel free to
make corrections to what I am saying.
I would suggest:
AGS+ w/4 serials at least or 2520 (frame relay cloud)
2501
2502
2503
2504
NT-1
Actual ISDN Line or simulator (only 1 isdn line needed, each router can
use 1 channel).
Some good "reference" prices for best deals are:
2501 $750
2502 $400
2503 $850
2504 $450
you have to shop to find these, but it can be done. check ebay, search
the "completed" auctions and see what the lowest some stuff has
succesfully closed at.
If your on a budget get a 2924xl/2912......if you can squeeze it, get a
2901 though (or 2926T). If your are considering CCIE seriously,
personaly I would go for the 2901/2926T or 5000 series. A 5000/5002 with
sup1/5212a (12ports) is a good choice if you want to attempt ATM later
(see below). I got a 2901 for $1200.........the deals are out there you
just have to look. 2901/2926T have the same supervisor as a 5000, and run
the same code. These are "set" based like you would see on the CCIE
lab. On a budget, a 2924xl/2912 will still allow you to play with
VLANs. Or if money is really tight a 1912/1924 I belive has a 100bT port
that is ISL capible.
4 routers minimum is important, imho, so that you can do fully meshed FR
scenerios. Token Ring is really not that important, but it is good to
know and essential for CCIE down the road. Also TR routers are
CHEAP so it works out well. The 2503/2504 allows you to do dial
backup/ddr/etc. The above would allow you to do everything.
Bridging/AT/DEC/IP/IPX.......and importantly DDR (2502/2503) (and so much
more).
For CCNP I find IP/IPX/Frame
Relay/ISDN/DDR/RIP/IGRP/OSPF/EIGRP/BGP/HSRP/Transparent bridging
all very important core technologies. You can do all of that with the
above, and so much more.
What you can't do (but could add later):
VLAN trunks (stage 2)
===========
this would require a 100bT interface......to add
ISL/802.1q to the mix, you would buy a 2620 probably which is the cheapest
addition to get this done. This would add maybe $1500 (remember shop
wisely). VLAN's and MLS are part of CCNP, but can be expensive for home
lab (especially MLS). You can still make vlans (on your
2924/2901/etc) but can't trunk them to a router is all.
Voice (stage 3)
=====
This is more for the CCIE. But perhaps you would like voice
specialization. Down the road, add a 2610 (like the 2620, it can use
VIC's (voice cards) but is not as expensive since it has no
fastethernet. So the 2620/2610 combination is a cheap way to do Voice AND
get Vlan trunking at the same time
ATM (stage 4)
===
Your 2600'x from above can do ATM. You can add this to the mix as well
if you have the money.
some tips:
Don't overlook the 4000 series. This is by far one of the best lab values
out there. Here are some typical prices you would see on ebay:
2501 $750
4000 $400
4000 np2t (2 serial) $120
4000 np2e (2 ether) $400
4000 np4t (4 serial) $400
so you can see that you can get a 4000 with 2 serial/2 ethernet for 920.00
not much more than a 2501.......yet its modular, you can add Token ring,
hssi, all kinds of stuff. The 4500/4700's can use FastEthernet as
well......and are MLS capbible.
Shop. Hit all the mailing lists and messages boards and ebay.........be
patient. establish a good price. If someone has a higher price, make an
offer.
Don't think you have to have it all. What you can't afford pay people
like ccbootcamp.com, who have excellent equipment you can rent and use
(voice and atm for example).
>
> Thanks in advance for the help !
>
> Greg Cain
> MTS Systems Engineer
> Verizon Communications
>
>
-----------------------------------------------
Brian Feeny, CCNP, CCDP [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Network Administrator
ShreveNet Inc. (ASN 11881)
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