Cisco CCNA / CCNP Tutorial: Home Lab Fitting Example in any event Chew over
Involvement of your CCNA / CCNP upbringing is deciding what network topology to acquisition when you’re putting together your composed lab. Some of you are starting with one or two routers or switches, while others are starting with more. A guy recently sent me a record of his Cisco routers and switches that he has within reach by reason of a habitation lab and asked for my help in coming up with the most qualified way to put them.
There is no “proper” or “wrong” rebuttal to this query; again, part of the lore course of action is configuring and reconfiguring the fleshly topology of your lab. Arrange for’s look at the routers and switches he has available, including the interfaces on each, and take up with one credible CCNA / CCNP home lab setup.
The apparatus shopping list:
Two 3620 routers. Each has 1 serial port and 2 ethernet ports.
A certain 3640 router. This has two ethernet cards, each with two ports, and two AUI ports.
Three 2503s, my personal favorite after home labs! These compel ought to 1 AUI refuge, 2 serial interfaces, and single BRI interface apiece.
Only 2524 router. This has one serial port, 1 ethernet mooring, and one BRI interface.
A woman 4500 router. This has eight BRI ports, 2 ethernet ports, and more importantly, four serial ports.
He also has a 5200 access server, an ISDN simulator, undivided 2924 switch, and a particular 1924 switch.
Contemporarily, if you don’t arrange this much outfit to creation with, don’t fall apart! Most CCNA / CCNP candidates don’t; this is more of an distress in looking at what you do possess and using it to the utmost.
As I’ve mentioned in uncountable of my CCNA / CCNP home lab articles, an access server is a monstrous id‚e fixe to have. All he needs is an octal line to attach his AS to the other devices we decide to object, and he’s all set. (If you necessary an access server sample configuration, there is one on my website in the Home Lab section.)
A system relay lash is also inordinate to include, and the 4500 determination occasion a skilful FR switch. Having a structure relay cloud in your CCNA / CCNP cosy lab is a huge character to punch experience configuring and troubleshooting build relay, an quintessential knack instead of CCNA success.
I would put away both of the 3620s on the layout relay cloud via the Serial interface, as ok as two of the 2503s. That gives you four routers that resolve be using mould relay to transfer, and that’s the most we can obtain since the 4500 has four serial ports. The 4500 on lack to be configured as a enclose relay direct and connected to the other routers via a DTE/DCE cable. (Again, if you for a edging relay birch configuration, the one I drink in my pods is on the website in the verbatim at the same time setting as the access server configuration.)
The two 2503s that are on the attitude relay cloud should also be connected via their BRI interfaces. The nursing home lab also includes an ISDN simulator, which is inevitable to concede routers to reach via their BRI interfaces. Principled pick up a three of straight-through cables to link those two routers to the ISDN simulator and that part is ready to go. (About that you can’t connect Cisco routers without delay via their BRI interfaces.)
All of the routers in this lab have in the offing at least anyone ethernet or AUI refuge, so we can tie them all to either harmonious of the switches. The switches should be connected via at least two crossover cables to cede to technique with trunking, soil span referendum, and VLANs. Having two switches really does count up quite a speck to a CCNA / CCNP home lab’s capabilities. You can policy test with different subnets and vlans with as well. Don’t be on edge to sink in - that’s what a profoundly lab is all about!
So conditions we’ve got four routers connected via mount relay, two via ISDN, and the others via ethernet segments. Two of the routers that are not using their serial interfaces should be connected speedily via their serial ports. Championing this, you’ll upstanding dearth another DTE/DCE cable. Crafty how to convey up the line of work between two soon connected serial ports is an notable CCNA skill, and so is troubleshooting it. You should be superior to bring on such a relations up with your eyes closed, and from time to time you position with your own CCNA / CCNP home lab, you’ll be superior to!
Also, don’t lose to enlarge a loopback interface to each sole of your routers. I like to use 1.1.1.1 for R1, 2.2.2.2 because of R2, and so on. Advertising loopbacks is another spacious way to get modus operandi with BILK, OSPF, EIGRP, IGRP, and unvarying routing.
We’ve entranced a holdings of routers and switches and turned them into a illusive CCNA / CCNP home lab. Whether you’re working with two Cisco devices or ten, coming up with your own home lab topology is a great knowledge involvement and the origin of developing your analytical and troubleshooting skills.
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