From: David Hickman (dwh@landtitleco.com)
Date: Tue Dec 30 2003 - 13:39:07 GMT-3
Although I am not currently studying for the CCIE Voice, I plan to after I finish R&S, but I have two years experience on small CallManager/Unity installations.
I have seen it done via a web console to access CallManager and Unity. Where you have access to the computer even while undergoing reboots. I saw it in a remote training session with a Cisco Training partner.
I guess some one that is interested in doing a Voice CCIE Rack Rental could use a KVM over IP switch which would allow the same thing (access to the computer even done to the bios in a reboot).
As far as testing phones, I guess you would have to use csim start command.
Of coarse to own your own pod, but a lot of people can not afford that if they are paying for this on their own.
If you are going to build your own voice lab remember the following:
Cisco CallManager can be installed on most newer Compaq Servers, including DL320s which you can find for as little as $550 with 128MB RAM and no Hard Drive... Throw in a cheap IDE Hard Drive and a stick of 512MB RAM and you have a CallManager for under $700.
Unity will run on anything that is fast enough to run Windows 2000 and Unity, preferably at least PIII 500, 512MB RAM, and a 40GB Hard Drive... But I have run it on less then that in a test environment.
Cisco has a demo version of Unity that is a full function 2 Port version. This version will expire either 30 or 45 days after being installed, I think.
You can pick up Cisco VG200s for around $250-$400 each if you have access to one of the ISP equipment lists or watch eBay close. This will work as a H.323 Gateway or a MGCP gateway. This will be good to practice with instead of a 2651XM as it will function similarly.
You can pick up FXS & FXO cards for as little as $75 if you look in the right place and if you are using a VG200 you will not need a NM-2V to run them.
Also keep in mind that they do test on the 3725s, which can be a little funky if you are not used to the way they work with port assignments and other quirky little things. So you will want to log some time on them setting up ports and such, especially with PRI/T1 interfaces if you have a chance.
You will also need log some time on either a 3524 XL switch or a 3550, preferably with power.
I have seen the 7940 Phones used for as little as $120 each, which would function the same as a 7960 except two line capacity instead of six. You will also need 2-4 analog phones, which you can get at Wally World for around $5.
As for the VG248 and the ATA186 I haven't a clue, since I have never used them or looked for them.
The complete equipment/software list for the CCIE Voice lab is at:
http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/625/ccie/voice/preparing_lab_exam.html
Hope this helps.
David
-----Original Message-----
From: Cal Michael [mailto:cmichael@solutionlabs.com]
Sent: Monday, December 29, 2003 10:03 PM
To: 'Barman, Partha'; ccielab@groupstudy.com
Subject: RE: CCIE Voice Rack Rentals
- Partha,
Just out of curiosity, how would an online
lab facility provide voice services for the
various AVVID servers and IP Phones that the
CCIE Voice track requires, in your opinion?
Most of the R/S vendors seem to have a term
server as the gateway to an equipment pod
and that works out for that style topology,
but a lab that is anything like the CCIE
Voice lab would seem to require a pretty
high level of sophistication.
--- ----- ---
-----Original Message-----
From: nobody@groupstudy.com [mailto:nobody@groupstudy.com] On Behalf Of
Barman, Partha
Sent: Monday, December 29, 2003 8:32 PM
To: ccielab@groupstudy.com
Subject: CCIE Voice Rack Rentals
Hi,
Anyone knows of some companies who provide online rack rentals for CCIE
Voice?
Thanks,
Partha
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