| Whether you're just getting ideas for your Cisco home | | | | need to set up that particular kit, and this can be very |
| lab or adding to your existing lab, ebay is a great place | | | | helpful to those CCNA candidates who are new to |
| to get ideas for your lab as well as pick up some | | | | the various cables needed to physically configure a |
| great bargains.Of course, the internet being what it is, | | | | home lab. Just make sure you're not buying a kit with |
| there are always going to be a few people looking to | | | | 10 transceivers (used on AUI ports) when you've only |
| take your money while shipping you inferior | | | | got two routers with Ethernet ports.Watch out for kits |
| merchandise, or worse, no merchandise at all. While | | | | that include outdated study guides. I've seen |
| these "dealers" are in the minority, you still need to be | | | | four-year-old CCNA books included with some kits. If |
| careful when purchasing Cisco equipment on ebay. In | | | | you already have your study guides, feel free to ask |
| this article, I'll give you several tips on browsing ebay | | | | the vendor how much the kit costs without the |
| ads for home lab ideas, and a few things to look out | | | | books.That leads me to the most important point. Get |
| for when purchasing equipment on ebay.For those of | | | | to know the vendor before buying anything. Visit their |
| you just starting your Cisco certification pursuit, the | | | | website and check their ebay feedback. If buying from |
| idea of purchasing a home lab kit -- a set of routers, | | | | an individual as opposed to a reseller, find out what |
| switches, and perhaps some cables and study guides | | | | conditions the router or switch has been kept in, and |
| -- seems like a good idea. Instead of putting your lab | | | | make sure to define the terms under which they will |
| together one piece at a time, these kits allow you to | | | | accept returns. There's nothing wrong with buying |
| get a head start on your studies.One thing to watch | | | | equipment from someone who's selling their CCNA |
| out for in these kits is outdated equipment, or the | | | | CCNP/CCIE home lab, but just make sure you ask the |
| inclusion of outdated study guides. Often, vendors will | | | | right questions first. Professional resellers generally |
| use these kits as a way to get rid of unwanted | | | | have their return policy right in their ebay ad; if they |
| inventory.The Cisco 1900 family of switches falls into | | | | don't, ask for a copy.Building your own CCNA and/or |
| this category. A recent search on ebay for "ccna lab" | | | | CCNP home lab is a little intimidating at first, but |
| showed seven different CCNA lab kits that contained | | | | speaking as someone who has climbed the Cisco |
| 1900 switches. The problem here is that the current | | | | certification ladder from the CCNA to the CCIE, I can |
| CCNA exams do not test on the 1900 switches, which | | | | tell you that it is the best investment you can make in |
| are menu-driven and do not have an IOS. You'll need | | | | your career. Use a little caution, ask the right question, |
| to be well-versed with switches that do have an IOS, | | | | and soon you'll be leaving the world of "router |
| such as the 2950s.The plus side here is that you will | | | | simulators" behind - and you'll be developing your skills |
| probably save money by using 1900 switches. If you're | | | | as a true professional should: On real Cisco routers |
| on a tight budget, having a 1900 switch is better than | | | | and switches!Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner |
| no switch at all. If at all possible, though, get a Cisco | | | | of The Bryant Advantage, home of free CCNA and |
| switch with an IOS.The cables and transceivers | | | | CCNP tutorials, The Ultimate CCNA Study Package, |
| included with these kits are generally exactly what you | | | | and Ultimate CCNP Study Packages. |