Generic Advice on CCNP books and lab

[Patni]

Just passed CCNA, so its on to CCNP. Would appreciate some basic guidance:

Does Todd have an updated set of books for the new ROUT and SWITC exams? I couldnt find any on Amazon. I know Wendell Odom does have them.

For various reasons, buying gear is not possible for me (reasons of space). What are my alternatives?Are the simulators good enough and if so which ones? I can rent rack time to paper over teh gaps if they are not massive.

Any tips on books and what to do for the labs will be appreciated

[Big Evil]

At this point there is only the Cisco ones.

[Xtopher62705]

Dear all,
Just passed my ccna exam and ready for the ccnp exam.
Kindly guide me on how to set up labs for the newly updated
ccnp exam-ROUT,SWITCH and TSHOOT.Urgent plz.
Magnus

[Big Evil]

You will have to get the Cisco books mate.

[Xtopher62705]

Todd & BE,
Thanks and finally I kick-start my ccnp test today.
I bought two books today-ccnp route 642-902 cert Kit
and ccnp route 642-902 official cert guide,Wendell Odom.
Todd, as I mentioned in my email to u b4 about going to voice
arena.I found it more comfortable with r&s and U-turn to ccnp.
BE,I always read ur stories on ur website "u once said building
a lab makes examination easy and fast".Kindly advise me on the
basic things I need to build a lab for my ccnp test-Rout,Switch and Tshoot.Ok?All coming up after one another.
Above all regards.
Magnus

[Fuzz]

This blog series by Wendell is a great place to start

http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/64523

[Big Evil]

Fuzz is right on WO blog.

My thoughts on the CCNP are if you are going to build a lab are:
Swiches 2 x 3550 EMI
Routers 4 x 2610XM or 3640 (and upgrade the max DRAM/Flash)

2500 are nice and cheap, i use these as my BGP backbone and to redis stuff into the main network it adds another two routers in the mix.

[Fuzz]

While the L3 switches would get the perfect lab set up, they are expensive. If you cant afford or get them, 2950 with enhanced image are good. 2950C, 2950G and most 2950T are enhanced image. They obviously don't do routing, but they'll do you just fine for SWITCH, especially if you've already completed ROUTE.