Showing posts with label What to buy for CCNA lab. Show all posts
Showing posts with label What to buy for CCNA lab. Show all posts

17 May 2015

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.