What Hardware to buy for my CCNA Lab ?

One of the frequently asked question now a days from UITA students is. "I want to do CCNA and want to build my own Lab for CCNA Exam what equipment I need to buy ? "

The requirement may vary as per your LAB design , So I am going to divide it in two plans .

1. Budget Plan (Cheaper plan)
2. Expert Plan (Expensive plan and you can use them in CCNP lab)

Starting from budget plan that will fulfil you basic labs requirements 

• Router (3 Qty)
• Cisco 2611 XM or any cheaper series 
• Flash Memory 32/48 MB
• System Memory 128/256 MB
• Ethernet ports 2 x 10/100 Fast Ethernet ports 
• IOS version 12.1(14) , 12.2(12), 12.2(8)T1, or later 




• Switch Layer 2 (2 Qty)
• Cisco 2950 
• Flash Memory 8 MB
• System Memory 16 MB
• Ethernet ports 24 to 48 Fast Ethernet ports 
• IOS version 12.1(11)EA1 or later 

• Switch Layer 3 (1 Qty) This is not compulsory  it will cover inter Vlan routing but this will not be useful in CCNP Labs 
• Cisco 3550
• Flash Memory 64 MB
• System Memory 256 MB
• Ethernet ports 24 to 48 Fast Ethernet ports 
• IOS version 12.1(12c)EA1 or later 

Expert plan , This lab would be slightly expensive, however it can be used in CCNP prepration with some additional equipment.

• Router (3 Qty)
• Cisco 2811 ISR or Above 
• Flash Memory 64 MB / 256 MB
• System Memory 512MB / 768 MB
• Ethernet ports 2 x Ethernet ports 
• IOS version 12.3(8)T or later 




• Switch Layer 2 (2 Qty)
• Cisco 2960 or Above 
• Flash Memory 64 MB 
• System Memory 128 MB
• Ethernet ports 24  Ethernet ports 
• IOS version 12.2(18)SE or later 

• Switch Layer 3 (1 Qty)
• Cisco 3750 or Above 
• Flash Memory 128 MB 
• System Memory 256 MB
• Ethernet ports 24  Ethernet ports 
• IOS version 12.2(18)SE or later

Other items for the lab set-up  are as below. 

• 3x Console Cable
• 5x Ethernet Cable
• 5x Crossover Cable
• 6x Power Cable
• 1x 12Unit Desktop Rack .

I hope this helps , all the best for you preparation.