From: McLaughlin, Jeffery (JMcLaughlin@sfchronicle.com)
Date: Fri Jan 07 2005 - 21:54:57 GMT-3
David,
This has to be one of the more difficult problems to deal with.
I used the Internetwork Expert labs mostly, and a lab consisting of 3 2600's
and a whole bunch of 2500's. Only one of the routers had dual-ethernet; the
rest had single. (Two even had Token Ring, as I was planning on going for the
CCIE back in 2000...)
Keep in mind that in addition to the 6 routers and two switches, you also need
3 backbone devices, a frame switch, and an access server.
One trick that almost everyone uses is to double-up. I used my frame switch
and my access server as backbone routers. (Risky with the AS, as if you break
connectivity to it, you lose your console sessions. But I managed to make it
work.)
For the ATM links I used a serial connection. Even though I couldn't do ATM,
I could at least run the Layer 3 stuff over it. I would periodically rent
rack time remotely to test ATM configs.
Because I had only one 3550, I would configure the trunking and STP commands
on the single switch and compare them against the solutions. I had an
advantage in that I work with Catalyst 6500's a lot at work, and they have a
similar interface to the 3550. You have to be creative; for example, when a
scenario called for both Cats to run routing protocols, I'd often use another
router to "stand in" for the Cat I was missing. I even have a 3000-series
router running IOS version 9 (yup, 9!) that could inject OSPF and BGP routes.
Many scenarios you just won't be able to test everything. I'd recommend doing
at least 5 full labs on totally equipped rented racks.
Jeff McLaughlin
CCIE #14023
-----Original Message-----
From: nobody@groupstudy.com [mailto:nobody@groupstudy.com] On Behalf Of
David Duncon
Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2005 7:58 PM
To: ccielab@groupstudy.com
Subject: Depleted Home Lab
Importance: High
Hi Group,
Is there any way I can use my limited home lab of 4 x 2621s ( 3 on a HUB and
Spoke topo and 4th one as p2p or any of the first three) , 1 FR switch & 1
x 3550 to do vendor workbooks such as from IE and Ipexpert ?
I do aware that most vendor workbooks physical topo is based on 6 x outers ,
2 x 3550s along with backbones. But unfortunately my home lab do not have
these many devices. And instead of investing more funds on additional
devices , I just want to proceed my practice with the current lab I have
got. And work on "core switching and routing exercises" to begin with. And
then for ATM and ISDN , I may hire some online rack rental hours down the
track before the exam date.
Originally I was thinking to buy online rack rentals all together ? But
later I have decided against it simply because , unlimited or unknown number
of hours I got plan for . Meaning I may need any where from 300 hours (best
case scenario , i.e. if I am lucky at my 1st attempt ) to as many as 1000
hours ( worst case scenario , preparing till my 3rd attempt) or even more if
I am little unlucky all the way.
And later had to convinced my Boss to let me take 4 routers , 1 FR switch
and 1 3550 for my home lab. Lucking my department loaned me these devices
for 6 months till , June 2005.But now I am not sure though on how to use
this cut down lab on vendor book exercises. Because the other day when I
tried to cable it up, I was not only falling short of number of devices ,
but also falling short of number or type of interfaces on the devices.
Any guidance from either Vendors or from any one who went through similar
dilemma as myself is much appreciated.
Cheers
- David.
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