From: Koen Peetermans (K.Peetermans@chello.be)
Date: Sat Jan 08 2005 - 05:58:04 GMT-3
Excellent advice from Jeffery all together, we all know everything about
doubling up functions on BB/FR/TS routers ;-)
One note on the ATM stuff : If you have 2 additional free ports on your
frame relay switch, then it's not a bad idea to provision extra PVC's
between the "atm" connected BB and router...
I translated (IEWB) atm subinterfaces to Frame Relay subinterfaces,
point-to-point ATM subinterfaces to point to point FR subinterfaces, same
for point-to-multipoint, and provision a PVC on the FR switch for each of
these connections.
You'd be amazed on how much the *logic* behind ATM and Frame Relay is
similar to each other if you do it this way. It takes some getting used to,
but if you try it you'll see what I mean...
I ended up renting 2-3 days on a remote rack for learning the ATM syntax,
doing all ATM parts of the IE workbook in a row on these remote labs, to get
the ATM in the fingers....
If you have an ADSL interface lying around, you can even practice some ATM
syntax stuff on that interface
If you have insufficient Ethernet interfaces on your routers, don't despair,
try to analyze to lab topology in the workbook, if the second Ethernet
doesn't really need a routing neighbour (as often is the case), just create
a loopback interface on the router with the same IP range as should have
been on the Ethernet.... Don't forget to put give the loopback a ospf
network point-to-point if it is supposed to be used in ospf ;-)
But you still need a minimum of routers, and it can get really dirty when
you are selecting different router platforms (including 2500's) for a
certain lab exercise and recabling the whole lot since the previous R2 now
needs to be R5 ;-)
HTH.
Good luck !
Koen.
-----Original Message-----
From: nobody@groupstudy.com [mailto:nobody@groupstudy.com] On Behalf Of
McLaughlin, Jeffery
Sent: zaterdag 8 januari 2005 1:55
To: David Duncon; ccielab@groupstudy.com
Subject: RE: Depleted Home Lab
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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