Re: Minimum Number of Routers required for Practice Labs

From: robbie (robbie@packetized.org)
Date: Sat Jul 23 2005 - 13:26:36 GMT-3

When I first started studying a year or so ago, I started out using 5
2520s, with one of them configured as a frame relay switch. You can
study with whatever you have, in my opinion. The only thing a large rack
provides is similarity and continuity to the real lab, which is what
you're ultimately practicing for. My original 'lab' was a 2520 as a
frame switch, 2 2520s hung off of that switch as frame connections (A &
B), 1 2520 hung off of A using serial (C), 1 2520 hung off of B using
serial (D), and C & D connected via ethernet. I think I had a 1720 or
something of the sort as a stub router that I moved around. But using
that set of routers, I tested and learned most everything in the OSPF
Command and Configuration Handbook (Parkhurst, if I recall - excellent
study material, imho).

Of course, now that I've invested time and money in locating stuff on
ebay... I have 4 3620s, 5 2600s, 2 3550s, an ISDN simulator, and a 4500
for a frame switch.

Moral of the story: Don't think that you can't study or learn by not
having a large lab. I learned just as much studying basic stuff on 2500s
as I could have learned anywhere else. 

-- 
Cheers,
Robbie

Shanky wrote:
> Hello everyone,
>  Can you guys let me know ..the absolute minimum routers needed for
> practice....
> I believe most of the technologies can be practiced with 4-5 routers so why
> do all the vendors like IE,IP and NMC use so many routers in their
> topologies ?
>  I think most of the workbooks are designed with topology containing 10+
> routers .. does one really need such large number of routers ?
>  Can we not use the FR Switch (Cisco Router ) as backbone and and whats the
> minimum number of routers one should go for ?
>  At the moment , I have started practice with my own ..designed small
> topologies of 3-4 routers but I want to know if anyone is using any standard
> topology over which most of the IGPs & BGP can be practiced without making
> Physical changes.
>  TIA
>  Shanky

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