Hey Jow Forums, I’m getting started with my CCNA program, and I wanted to get started with building a home lab for myself. What recommendations do you have in regards to >Rack: Build/Buy? >Hardware: Which models should I look at that are great deals second hand?(Routers, switches, firewalls, etc) > Software: What OS’s should I consider >Tools Things for feeding wire, terminating it, and other general things it’s good to keep around while working with things >Integrating with media server I have Plex to stream media now, but I’d ideally want to migrate my storage out of my desktop, and into the rack.
Any other tips or suggestions regarding CCENT and other CCNA exams are also welcomed.
the cheapest option is an extra PC with GNS3 emulator.
A low cost rack system that's pretty good is the skeletek series from these guys: dantraknet.com/
Thomas Wood
Cisco seems to be the most self-asslicking company ever! Everything they sell is overpriced to oblivion and is still underperforming and ios is the perfect example of poishing a turd! ive done a couple of cisco courses and they are retarded!
Jaxon Ortiz
Cisco software licensing for their hardware sucks donkey dicks. I know the idea of doing physical stuff is cool, but you'd be better off using the free packet tracer software to pass the exam, and then getting hands on experience during your entry level job. Or else buy used hardware once you've already passed the exam and you're sure a job is possible.
Landon Perez
They really do suck desu. Their exams cost like $300 per attempt and it's just a big racket. The CCNA R&S course is good for learning networking, vlans, subnetting, etc, but as far as the Cisco specific stuff goes... it's just syntax like BASH or any other command line stuff.
More and more companies are moving away from Cisco but like I said the base networking knowledge is still a good reason for the course.
Daniel Nguyen
CCNA/CCNP skip the homelab all you need is GNS3. I've passed both.
Only time you will actually need a home lab is CCIE.
Jayden Ross
>company >self-asslicking What does it even mean?
James Rivera
Download GNS3 and some images. Skip the physical lab.
Nicholas Walker
Packet tracer or GNS3 is more then enough. I did my CCNA/P through college and I will never do that shit as a job, it's boring as fuck and everyone who does it is literally retarded fml
Michael Brooks
>per attempt d-dont tell me you didnt pass the brainlet filter 101 exam
A single 8-12 port smart managed switch A firewall (if Cisco try meraki) And an hp or Dell server
Brayden Nguyen
> meraki You're not going to learn any of the IOS command line required for CCNA that way. > single switch Need more than one to lab a lot of the switch-specific features. >no router lol?
Gabriel Ortiz
A firewall does what a router can ie routing + vpn and teaches you firewall configuration
CCNA is a meme so far imo
You shouldn't need more than one switch since you'll be fucking with VLANs and that's pretty much it If anything you'll want multiple routers to make your own routing tables.
Tyler Rivera
You're an idiot. CCNA is one of the most common IT certifications mentioned in job listings. Meraki is designed for grandma to configure, and there is literally no IOS command line which is what ~30% of CCNA tests on.
Christian Moore
Experience talks
Robert Bell
>>Ccna is a meme Fool go type Ccna into a job site. It's a prerequisite for most IT positions that aren't help desk
Jordan Thomas
How to get an entry level networking job
Luke Roberts
It's no secret that they've been coasting on their early success for nearly a decade. Warranties that cost as much as the equipment lmao. Waiting for the day when config is all bash/posh or REST driven
Chase Nguyen
Forget cisco everyone wants AWS and Azure certs now.
Alexander Green
Gns3 will do just fine for CCNA, unless you are going to work on hefty stuff like multiple nexus 9ks or similiar shit. Also found this shit has loads of images sfree.ws
