CCIE 4.0 Home Lab IOS Versions / Hardware

I have a home lab setup for CCIE 3.0. Needless to say, i'll be re-taking my
Lab on the 4.0 version to get my numbers. 78/0 on Lab/OeQ. :-(. No more
open slots before the 4.0 deadline.

So I am working on updating my home lab to 4.0. On Cisco's site it says the
4.0 Lab will be running IOS 12.4(T)  Advanced Enterprise Services on
1841/3825. It looks like 12.4(T) will not run on the 3640's and the
2621XM's will need upgraded flash. However, I have also been reading the
2621XM does not do MPLS outside of 12.3 code.

Hardware:

5x 3640 128/32

4x 2621XM 128/32

Does this mean I have to replace this gear with hardware that can run
12.4(T) code?

OR can I get away with:

3640' running Mainline 12.4.10b ENT/FW/IDS PLUS IPSEC 3DES

2621XM' running Mainline 12.4.25b ADVANCED ENT SERVICES

If I go with the approach of running the Mainline code on the existing
hardware what would I be giving up?

I've seen the previous posts on the 4.0 home lab questions. I gather the
hardware will suffice but I am unsure of what IOS versions to run and what
would be sacrificed by going this route. Personally, I like to do my labs on
physical hardware instead of DYNAMIPS so while that could be an alternative,
it would be a last resort.

Thanks.

-----Original Message-----
From: nobody_at_xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:nobody_at_xxxxxxxxxxxxxx<nobody_at_xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]
On Behalf Of Joe
Astorino
Sent: Monday, August 03, 2009 4:36 PM
To: dls152_at_xxxxxxx
Cc: ccielab_at_xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: new R&S lab 4.0 home lab upgrade.

Well MPLS L3 VPN you can definitely do with 3640s no problem. The zone
based firewall and IOS firewall are just feature sets of the IOS as far as I
know.

On Mon, Aug 3, 2009 at 4:31 PM, <dls152_at_xxxxxxx> wrote:

> Joe,
>
> Thanks. I am just wondering how to work the vnp and firewall requires for
> new 4.0 blueprint starting in October. I don't want to spend any money if
I
> can avoid it.
> ---- Joe Astorino <jastorino_at_xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > Hey! I'm all for buying new and exciting gear but to be honest, I think
> you
> > are doing quite well!!! You can do pretty much everything on a 3750
that
> > you can on a 3560. Those are some NICE units. Your 3640's can
> definitely
> > do MPLS as I have some in my own home rack. Backbone routers don't need
> to
> > be anything special so you are OK there. If anything, you might add 2
> more
> > 3640s instead of the 2600s and maybe replace that 1700 with one of the
> > 2600s.
> >
> > If you really can't resist spending money, get some 2811s : )
> >
> > My 2 cents
> >
> > On Mon, Aug 3, 2009 at 3:29 PM, <dls152_at_xxxxxxx> wrote:
> >
> > > I am looking to upgrade my home lab rack and need some help trying to
> > > determine what is needed for new r&s lab? Can anyone help?
> > >
> > > Current lab:
> > > 4x 2600's
> > > 2x 3640's
> > > 1x 1700 backbone routers
> > > 2x 2600 backbone routers
> > > 4x 3750's

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Received on Tue Sep 15 2009 - 18:20:20 ART