Cisco CCNA / CCNP Household Lab Tutorial: Organizing Ahead For IE Study

Candidates preparing to pass the CCNP exams are putting together Cisco property labs like by no means before. With CCNA and CCNP property lab equipment much more cost-effective than ever, candidates have realized the significance of working on genuine Cisco routers and switches on the strategy to earning their certifications.

1 question I get often from CCNP candidates is goes one thing like this: "I'm organizing on pursuing the CCIE immediately after I get my CCNP. What kind of routers and switches really should I obtain now in order to use exactly the same equipment in my CCIE property lab?"

This is going to sound strange coming from me, since I'm the #1 proponent of CCNA and CCNP candidates buying their own property labs. With regards to the CCIE, though, I have to say that you are most likely improved off utilizing rack rentals rather than investing major income now to get much more high-priced equipment with which to earn your CCNP.

You will discover a lot of 2500 and 2600 routers out there that you simply can obtain to prepare fully for your CCNA and CCNP exams that may possibly not have the capability necessary for IE preparation. (As an example, although 2500 routers are superb for CCNA and NP study, they shouldn't be utilised for IE study.) The concern with buying much more high-priced equipment is that Cisco rightfully updates the CCIE real lab equipment list twice a year, and these moves can prove very expensive for all those who get caught within the middle of these alterations.

Let me give you an example that I lived via myself. When I began pursuing the CCIE, Catalyst switches were in use within the lab. I had a Cat 5000 that I utilised for practice. When I was within the middle of my preparation, Cisco introduced L3 switched to the lab within the type of TWO 3550 switches. Not only was the Cat now almost useless for IE study, the new switches went for about $5500 apiece, so if I wanted to keep up with the new lab alterations, it was going to expense me $11,000.

Once more, I know that it is vitally vital for today's CCNA and CCNP candidates to get hands-on knowledge with property labs. It is also good to feel ahead when you are earning your CCNP, and pursuing the CCIE is one of the best decisions you'll ever make. Just preserve this standard CCIE lab update in mind. I suggest that you simply preserve your CCNP budget down although not investing in much more high-priced routers with the IE in mind, and wait until you have passed the CCNP and are actively engaged in CCIE study before producing the choice in between rack rentals and putting together your personal IE lab.

Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of the Bryant Advantage, property of over 100 absolutely free certification exam tutorials, including Cisco CCNA certification test prep articles. His exclusive Cisco CCNA study guide and Cisco CCNA coaching is also offered!

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