Which emulator is better?

[sai]

Can any one suggest me which emulator is better to practise lab concepts of ccnp?

[Big Evil]

GNS3, also though you cannot do switching as well.

[Fuzz]

Idd, CCNP switching is best done with real gear.

[saam]

I guess there is not any good Simulator for Switching practice, u will hav to do this on real ones.

[crissa]

Originally Posted by saam

I guess there is not any good Simulator for Switching practice, u will hav to do this on real ones.

Hello,
one of the benefits of GNS (or Dynamips/Dynagen) is that you can mix it with real hardware.
Bye, Tore

[HermeszData]

Originally Posted by saam

I guess there is not any good Simulator for Switching practice, u will hav to do this on real ones.

Boson supposedly has a new version of NetSim out, NetSim v8. According to their product literature, it is capable of doing everything neccessary for all the CCNP tests.

http://www.boson.com/Product/ccnp-ci...simulator.html

The problem with simulators is there is always some form of tradeoff. I have Packet Tracer and GNS3. With packet tracer, we are limited to the IOS functionallity the programmers chose to include. While with GNS3, at least with the version I received, functionallity depends on teh IOS image you associate with the supported router and if you do not already have an IOS *bin file for any given router GNS3 supports, you have no functionallity! Then too, is the GNS3 switching support issue.

Although I have used both Packet Tracer and GNS3, I much prefer to use real equipment. At least this way, I do not need to worry about what feature is or is not supported or whether I can lab complex switching senerios!

Boson NetSim v8 for CCNP sells for ~$350US. If one is patient (and willing to take a risk buying equipment of unknown functional state , i.e ebay with no returns) you can find 3550 and 2950 switches along with suitable routers for a complete lab for around the same price total.
I recently put together a lab for someone local:
1 2620XM (max mem) WIC-1T
1 2610 (max mem 64D16F) NM-4A/S
2 2621 (max mem 64D16F) WIC-1T in each
1 3650-24-SMI
2 2950T-24

I purchased everything above, including the necessary DCT-DTE serial cables for between $300 and $350. Some of the routers had WIC cards I needed in my own lab, some required memory upgrades, and some needed to have either fans or Power Supplies replaced. All needed IOS upgrades. Even with the cost of memory upgrades and parts to refurbish the devices, my out of pocket expenses we less than $400 (less the price I would have paid for just the modules I kept). I made a little profit and gave a 90-day warranty as well.

My point is, IF one is hardware savvy, and willing to take a risk, they can put together a lab that can handle most if not all the required tasks for about the same cost as NetSim v8 and not have to worry about being limited by the features integrated into the simulators with the additional benefit of have re-sale value should one decide to sell their equipment at a later time!

Right now, aside from what is in my personal rack which includes:
2811, 2821, 3445, 2621XM, 3x2620XM, 2x1760V, 2x3550-SMI-PWR, 3x3524XL-PWR and a 3508,

I have a stack of 10 26**/26**XM routers, 6 2950 switches, 2 2980G switches, 2 831 routers, an Adtran Atlas 550 (PSTN/Frame Relay simulation) and a Cisco MC3810 VoIP router, all ready ot go out the door as CCNA/NP labs complete with all necessary cables and upgraded to their max capabilities, memory and IOS! But this is also part of my business.

Sometimes I am able to get Cisco equipment (End-of-Life/Sale) for free when I am sent on contract to upgrade old to new. Sometimes they will tell me to take the de-commissioned equipment with me as salvage because it will cost them more in shipping costs than they will get for recycling them (this happens ~4 or 5 times a year). The 2811 above is an example. So, if you have close personal contacts in the industry, this is another way to reduce costs.