Go CCIE Go!! - A Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert

Dumb ole country boy who still loves his 4500/4700’s…
Got a whole room of them running 12.2.15T… and loving it.
Let’s see if Maurilio Gorito will say a candiadate can do well on a a few 2500’s for studying for the CCIE Lab and cover 80% or better of the topics…
Who am I to disagree?
Look - There are two things in this question that are under consideration:
1. Using Vendor Workbooks
2. Studying the topics, topologies, and the concepts covered on the CCIE Lab.
If you want to run 12.3 and 12.4 Features - No the 4500/4700’s will not work too well.
If you want to run IPv6 to the extent of the Lab, then you will need at least a very specific version of 12.2.x.T Code for the 4500/4700’s…
…. with that said… substitute 2 routers for a pair of 3620’s or better that will run IPv6.
Now with that settled…
IF you do want to use vendor workbooks and do want IPv6, 12.3, and 12.4 features… just in case they ever do pop up in the lab…
…. then allow me to introduce you to the…
Cisco 7505 Router - RSP4 is my personal favorite… 256MB DRAM, 16MB BootFlash, and 48MB Compact Flash and running 12.4.x code and making it look easy.
Fast and quiet, but heavier than other models - about 70-75 pounds…
Add a VIP of your choice and a couple of PA-FE-TX modules…
And a PA-8T…
And for about $150-175.00…
You’ve got a wonderful router.
So let’s see 4 4500 and 2 of these and you got a nice lab…
But if you are stickler, buy 6 of them and you are still under $1000.00 or so if you get lucky.
I bought 3 RSP4’s for 2.95 each + Shipping…
The 7505 chassis (and it usually comes with some modules) cost more to ship than to buy at $50.00 - 70.00.
But hey I only paid $10.00 - $50.00 per chassis and it ususally had my serial ports included and SUP I or Sup II if I could not find it in my meager budget to afford the $0.69 - $2.95 I paid for the RSP4’s I found a bargain on.
Dynamips is still an awesome product. And as long as you got access to the code you need, can get used to making sure it won’t crash on you when you need it (I suppose some have mastered this, but some long-timers still seem to be reporting problems that interfere with their studies), then you’ll be fine.
I still like my gear.
Let’s see…
Cat 3550’s are going for $550.00 - 700.00
Cat 3560-8 are going for about $995.00 + shipping (I think they said brand new).
To each his own…
Just some humble ideas for those on a budget.
Maybe the prices of 7505’s will go up now.
So to sum it up…
OSPF, EIGRP, ODR, BGP, and RIP will work just fine and dandy on 4500/4700’s and do so with a quickness on 100mhz and 133mhz processors and 32-64mb DRAM and 16-32MB Flash.
And why not?
Frame works great, if IP Plus Code or better is used, an NP-1E interface can be used for intervlan routing.
interface e0.1 encap dot1q 10

Bridging works great on an NP-2E…
Try buying 2 serial interfaces in a WIC-1T or WIC-2T form factor versus an NP-4T… prices may vary but what do I know about the economy.
Hmm…
You can always buy a nicely packaged router (or package) from www.ciscokits.com and they bundle a Cisco CD with IOS along with their used routers of you want 1700’s, 2600’s, etc.
Up to you, but yes the 4500/4700 did not die just because they got older.
Hey for me I like the “do” command, so any router that supports 12.2.x or better is a friend of mine.
And if you want to talk about resale value…
If you send only $3000.00 for a full lab with 6 7505’s, 1 2522 (a 45/4700 is cheaper), 1 2511, and 4 3550 or 3560 combo of switches and 3 2524’s for BB Routers…
How much can you possibly lose in resale value?
$3,000.00 is cheaper than most classes that are offered by most vendors and is a complement to any of them for sure.
Remember - 3 routers and 2 switches can do so very much when it comes to CCIE RS Lab study, so about 1/2 of the $3000.00 (about $1500.00 or so) can be used for a terrific jumpstart.

— Joseph Brunner wrote:
> Whoa Nellie! > > Those routers are old enough to get served alcohol > around here… > > You’re better off getting a fast pc/mac and doing > the dynamips virtual ios > with 12.4 (which you’ll need) check out this link… > > http://www.internetworkexpert.com/resources/iosonpc.htm > > > BTW: my CCNA/NP students are using dynamips and > loving every minute of it. > (I’m eating crow & my hat for doubting it early on) > > —–Original Message—– > From: nobody@groupstudy.com > [mailto:nobody@groupstudy.com] On Behalf Of > oluwaseyi ojo > Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2008 4:52 AM > To: smorris@ipexpert.com > Cc: Cisco certification > Subject: My home lab for CCIE R&S > > Hi Scott, > i need your help,i want to build my home lab for > CCIE R&S,will you advice > me to go for the 2522 series router(5 routers) and > get the 4500 series(4 > switches),from your experience,can these devices be > use for IE workbook v4 > and IPExpert workbook? Can these devices give me > enough exposure that is > needed to pass my lab exam? Your comments,details > please; and others peoples > comments who have been through this road before will > be greatly and deeply > appreciated,many thanks,cheer. > >