|
|
|
|
Home / Computers / Computer Certification
Cisco CCNA / CCNP Home Lab Tutorial: Using 2520 Routers
By:Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933
I know from experience that part of the excitement and anxiety of putting together your own CCNA / CCNP home lab is deciding what to buy! While you can make a workable home lab out of almost any combination of Cisco routers and switches, some routers are better suited for home lab work than others because they can fill multiple roles.
My personal favorite is the Cisco 2520. This router has four serial interfaces, making it an ideal frame relay switch. Don't forget that just because you're using a router as a frame switch, you can still use its routing capabilities. One setup I use is to use three of the four serial interfaces for frame switching and the fourth interface as a point-to-point network with another router. All you need is some DTE/DCE cables and you're all set.
The 2520 also comes with one ethernet interface and an ISDN interface, so that gives you even more options. Even if you're not planning to run ISDN in your home lab right now, you may choose to do so in the future - and with a 2520, you've already got the right router to do so. Keep in mind that if you are going to run ISDN in your home lab, you’ll need an ISDN device such as an ISDN simulator in your lab. (ISDN simulators are physical devices and are plentiful on ebay – they’re no relation to “router simulators”.)
Again, I want to reiterate that you can work any Cisco router into a CCNA / CCNP home lab - there's no "right" or "wrong" combination of equipment. But as with anything else, some combinations are better than others, so consider adding some 2520s to your home lab! This router gives you a great combination of interfaces and capabilities, plus the most important factor of all - real hands-on experience during your CCNA and CCNP exam preparation!
Article Source: http://www.dailynewarticles.com
Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage, home of free CCNP and CCNA tutorials, The Ultimate CCNA Study Package, and Ultimate CCNP Study Packages.
You can also join his RSS feed and visit his blog, which is updated several times daily with new Cisco certification articles, free tutorials, and daily CCNA / CCNP exam questions! Details are on the website.
For a FREE copy of his latest e-books, “How To Pass The CCNA” and “How To Pass The CCNP”, just visit the website! You can also get FREE CCNA and CCNP exam questions every day! Pass the CCNP exam with The Bryant Advantage!
More Articles from Computer Certification Category:
Cisco CCNP Certification / BCMSN Exam Tutorial: Writing QoS Policy
Cisco CCNP / BCSI Exam Tutorial: Configuring EIGRP Packet Authentication
Cisco CCNP / BSCI Certification: Introduction To ISIS Terminology
What To Expect When Taking Your First Cisco Certification Exam
Cisco CCNA / CCNP Home Lab: Why You Need An ISDN Simulator
Be Certifiable! The Basics Of MCSE And MCP
Cisco CCNP / BCSI Exam Tutorial: Broadcasts And The IP Helper-Address Command
Webroot Window Washer
Cisco CCNA / CCNP Home Lab Tutorial: Using 2520 Routers
CCNA / CCNP Home Lab Tutorial: The VLAN.DAT File
Cisco CCNP / BCMSN Exam Tutorial: Changing Root Bridge Election Results
CCNP Certification / BCMSN Exam Tutorial: HSRP MAC Addresses And Timers
Cisco CCNP / BCMSN Exam Tutorial: Switches, QoS, And Cisco's Networking Model
Cisco CCNA Exam Tutorial: Troubleshooting Directly Connected Serial Interfaces
How To Earn Cisco’s Firewall Specialist Certification
|
|
