Help building a home lab for networking

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rampage559

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Jul 8, 2014
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I am just finishing my BS in advanced networking but only really learned the theory behind networking. I have been a sysad for 3 years now and have a good deal of knowledge of actual networking. I am looking to start my CCNA and see how far I an push my self.

My home lab I am looking at is

- Access Server 2511 & 16 Cables
- CBT DVD CCNA 640-802
- CBT DVD #2 none
- Extended Warranty 1 Year
- Lab Workbook CCNA Security
- Router #1 Upgrade 2801 256/64
- Router #2 Upgrade 2801 256/64
- Router #3 Upgrade 2801 256/64
- Switch ##1 Upgrade 2950 to 3550
- Switch ##2 Upgrade 2950
- Switch ##3 Upgrade 2950

I am also looking to add in a Sonic Wall and access points to play with.

But my main question is which sonic wall should i get for home use to use in a lab environment. I notice the total secure packages are much more, but do i really need that in a lab environment and to use for home use?

 
Solution
choucove
Two things that I will mention here. First, on the Sonicwall, just pick up a TZ105 and you should be fine. They are very cheap anymore even brand new. The management interface of the lower end models are very similar to the higher end models. I've mainly worked with the TZ 100/105 up to to the TZ215/220 lines, but the only difference really is the hardware capabilities (gigabit, number of ports, number of connections, etc.) The interface and configuration on them is identical, though. So for home, a TZ 105 should be perfectly capable. The biggest thing with Sonicwalls is to be sure you get something that can handle enough maximum throughput so that it doesn't bottleneck your internet connection. This isn't a problem for me...
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choucove

choucove

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May 13, 2011
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Two things that I will mention here. First, on the Sonicwall, just pick up a TZ105 and you should be fine. They are very cheap anymore even brand new. The management interface of the lower end models are very similar to the higher end models. I've mainly worked with the TZ 100/105 up to to the TZ215/220 lines, but the only difference really is the hardware capabilities (gigabit, number of ports, number of connections, etc.) The interface and configuration on them is identical, though. So for home, a TZ 105 should be perfectly capable. The biggest thing with Sonicwalls is to be sure you get something that can handle enough maximum throughput so that it doesn't bottleneck your internet connection. This isn't a problem for me because around here internet sucks and the fastest speed we can even get is a 10 Mbps DSL, but I don't know what your internet connection may look like.

And second, I'm not a Cisco expert, but I know there are many people who have done their CCNA without needing any physical hardware. Just using packet tracer should be plenty to get through CCNA. When I took all the classes through online education that's all that I had access to and it worked pretty well. That being said, I definitely understand the concept of having physical hardware to actually work with. If the cost isn't an issue and you really want that hands-on experience then I say go for it, I'd love to be able to do the same thing! I've heard some others online recommending if you are buying used gear for CCNA or beyond, to try and look for the newer model switches though. For example using the Catalyst 3650 or 3750 for your layer-3 switch and two 2960 for layer-2. There are several reasons given for this, but the main one seems to be the newer switches are going to be much more likely to be seen in your actual working environments compared to the 3550/2950 which are very obsolete. Also, the newer model switches will support the newer IOS that is the basis of the new CCNA instructional basis and testing.
 
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bill001g

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Aug 9, 2012
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Although real hardware is a nice thing to have you need fairly new devices to get full support of all the features. Although 2800 series says it support 15.x there are many features that only work on 2900 or larger routers.

I would start with packet tracer or GNS3. Packet tracer was designed for study for certs. It unfortunately only supports a subset of all the commands. More than enough for most CCNA study but you will soon find the limitations if you just want to play with some of the advanced features like QoS. GNS3 is better in that it runs a real IOS image unfortunately I think it still does not support switches.

You should have no issues all the way up to CCNP with the simulators. A lot of cisco certification is theory, they want you to understand how and why things work. This is also why cisco certs are valued even in non cisco hardware environments. It is much more important to understand how something like 802.1x works rather than the configuration. In the case of 802.1x it is trivial to configure but it is a huge pain to get to work many times.

The only cert you need real hardware for is the CCIE. Years ago when I got my CCIE you pretty much had few options but to buy lots of equipment. Now there are lab rentals that I am told are much more cost effective. Since they test things like MPLS you need some fairly expensive equipment.

I would spend a few months with the simulators after than it will give you a much better feel to what real hardware you feel will benefit you.

Still certs only go so far. We have had interns in that had CCNA and had them deploying a bunch of small locations. Most had never even looked at the configuration option you use to configure real circuits like T1 or E1 which in general is the vast majority of the installation of a small site.

 
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