CCNP Lab

[n3twrk0p]

I'm upgrading to the NP level, have a lab at home which consist of:

3x 2610
1x 2620
3x 2950
1x 2503

what would be good to have/keep- for the CCNP?

[Big Evil]

The routers are only enough for CE in your lab - the 2950 can still be used. But really you would be best with some 2600XM, a L3 switch(es) plus a ISR router like a 1841 etc.

HTH.

[n3twrk0p]

Besides ebay and ciscokits is there any other source to buy this equiptment from?

[bs_kwaj]

Besides ebay and ciscokits is there any other source to buy this equiptment from?
I've bought some equipment at www.cablesandkits.com (http://www.cablesandkits.com). You can find some deals there sometimes.

And they put M&M's in the box! :D

[ciscodaze]

The routers are only enough for CE in your lab - the 2950 can still be used. But really you would be best with some 2600XM, a L3 switch(es) plus a ISR router like a 1841 etc.

HTH.

Im having a brain freeze BE...what is CE? (customer edge?)

Also, I know they are needed for ccnp labbing, but aside from SVI what is the pressing reason for needing a L3 switch?

[Big Evil]

Im having a brain freeze BE...what is CE? (customer edge?)

Also, I know they are needed for ccnp labbing, but aside from SVI what is the pressing reason for needing a L3 switch?

Yep - customer edge or customer equipment.

There is really not one mate - some QOS, PVLAN's, SVI's & routing are the only things that the L2 cannot do. You can use HSRP/GLBP/VRRP on routers and the rest of the things you need can be done at L2 (VLAN, VLAN trunking, Etherchannel, STP, RSTP, MIST, RPVST, switch security features, LAN QoS, wireless clients, switch IP phone support).

[n3twrk0p]

Thank you very much for all of your inputs, and bs_kwaj yeah they do put M&M's inside their packages haha !! actually most of my lab is from them.

the reason I ask about other sources besides ebay or ciscokits was to compare prices but i guess them two are the only ones out there to buy equipment from that you can trust !!!

again thank you