In this post I’ve been asked to discuss what equipment you could use to perform CCNA Wireless lab exercises. The following list will allow you to perform all the tasks discussed in the CCNA Wireless outline with only a few exceptions:
2106 Controller
1250 AP or 1130 or 1131 or 1140 (depends on what you can spend.)
526 Controller (optional)
521 AP (optional)
Windows 2000 Server with WCS installed (optional- but I would try to get my hands on it)
Cisco Secure ACS (Download the trial if you have to just to get familiar)
3560E with POE or comparable Cisco Switch that allows 802.1q trunking and Vlans
Cisco AIR-CB21AGA-K9 for doing the ADU stuff
Laptop for testing the wireless configurations. (You could just put a wireless card in a desktop)
Most of this list matches the actual IUWNE course.
Of all the equipment listed I would say that the controller, AP and Laptop are essential, and everything else is a bonus.
But seriously, if you could rent this stuff would you? I’m curious to find out how you prefer to study. Personally, I rent anything that I am studying for simply because I travel a good amount and don’t want to worry about access to the equipment. How about you?
Brandon Carroll, CCIE # 23837, is a certified Cisco Systems Instructor working for Ascolta Training, based out of the Bellevue, Wa. Training Center. He is published by Cisco Press/Pearson Education in the area of network security and wireless.
His most recent book is CCNA Wireless Official Exam Certification Guide and we have 15 copies to give away. Go here for entry details and go here for a sneak peek of a chapter.
This blog is part of the Cisco Subnet blogging community.
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CCNA Wireless Home Lab: What should I buy?
hello dear,
i think you can use CISCO Packet Tracer5.0 or 5.1
Regards IT Professionals,
http://itprofesionals.blogspot.com
Search Label Simulator.
In Reply to the use of Packet Tracer
Cisco Packet tracer was designed for Cisco Network Academy Instructors, Students, and Alumni. It is designed for CCNA Level concepts, not CCNA Wireless Level concepts.
BC
Ouch!
Talk about a hefty bill for a CCNA lab. Renting would definitely be the way to go if you wanted access to all of these things. Otherwise, you're talking about $3000+ to assemble something like this yourself. And that would be going on the cheap.
When you look at the exam blueprint, the bulk of it is theory. There are only about 4-5 bullet points out of around 35 total that mention configuring things. I have a feeling that a handful of rental sessions would do the trick.
It's certainly not cheap!
...and you are correct, the exam blueprint doesn't look too hefty when it comes to configurations, but beware. 2/3 of the training that the exam was derived from is configuration and troubleshooting.
Thanks!
BC
renting
Where would you rent?
Re: Where to rent?
As of right now, nowhere. I would imagine that the folks at www.ipexpert.com will have CCNA Wireless rentals through Proctorlabs.com when www.ipexperttraining.com is complete.
BC
Buy then sell on Ebay
I dont think I would rent. I would look for a good deal on Ebay. Lots of companies closing up means equipment should start showing up on Ebay. Buy it, train on it, sell it when you are done.
Ebay...
Sounds like common practice for other cert exams. Agree that there should be a ton of gear available.
BC
In Reply to the use of Packet Tracer
Yes you are right Cisco Packet design for CCNA level Simulator,
i think CCNA Wireless Labs are not Supported in Packet Tracer.
regards,
IT Professionals
http://itprofesionals.blogspot.com/
Lab Tools
Most folks who purchase this "full" lab don't have access to the latest IOS for it. There are different revisions of the IOS & COS which have vastly different features. If these could be rented you would be more apt to finish the lab in a shorter timeframe. If the rented lab were equiped with an online "help" person even more so. But what is the difference in a rented lab and a boot camp ?
Dave
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