Gear to get for home study...

[dmangrum]

Hey there!

I just finished Day 1 of the CCNA course! What a blast! I love this stuff and the class has been great so far. I am very excited to get my CCNA and, afterwards, higher level certs as well.

In my current position at my job, I don't have access to our routers and switches. So, I am not able to see actual installed systems/networks.

As such, I am interested in building a test/training network at my home so I can stay sharp. I am guessing I need to get a couple routers and switches, but I am interested in specifics...

What would you recommend I get in the way of hardware/software so that I can build a network/internetwork in my home? I have cable Internet access and am guessing I can use Cisco gear to connect to that instead of my LinkSys router/switch.

Thanks for any advice.

Derek

[aguilera]

Derek,

Glad to hear that you are on your way to earning your CCNA! Its even better to hear that you survived the first day of Todd Lammle's CCNA boot camp! :)

You are right, CCNA should not be your stopping point! In order to be competitive in our market space you not only need the Certs, you need some hands on. You made the right first step by going to a Todd Lammle Bootcamp where you not only earn your CCNA, but you get plenty of hands on time during your labs.

But what happens once you leave the serenity of the classroom, and the 24/7 lab access? Your toast! Right? Well, not really. There are plenty of options!

But before we entertain the options we need to know what technical direction you want to go.

The traditional path would lead you down the CCNP track. Is that where you want to go? Or would you rather mosey on down the CCSP path? How 'bout the road less traveled where at the end you will find the CCVP?

So, where do you want to go?

[dmangrum]

Well, I passed that blasted test! Yeah!

My immediate goal is to not lose everything I learned this week by Monday! :)

Seriously, I am looking for options to maintain my knowledge obtained for the CCNA. I don't have aspirations at this point for other Cisco certs, though I know they will come. I just haven't thought that far ahead yet.

I am basically interested in building a small test network that I can use to use the commands and technologies we learned about this the CCNA. I am guessing just a couple of routers and a couple of switches...

But, what models of each would be best?

Or, what about software sims? Are there other packages besides RouterSim? RS is great and I will use it for sure, but having more options may broaden horizons and understanding.

Also, if you have any thoughts on which cert path to take, that would be cool too.

Thanks a bunch! Loved the class! Lammle's cool! Passed!!

D