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 While these "dealers" | | | | include outdated study guides.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| kits is outdated equipment, or the inclusion | | | | right questions first.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| of outdated study guides.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