Alas, there are so few mind readers in the world these days... ;-) So, let me add some context and some why's/wherefore's to this series on build a CCNA and CCNP lab using real gear. (Way back last year, when I did the original series on CCNA/CCNP prep labs, I took the time to give this same context, but it bears some repeating.)
First, the broad view: you can use Simulators, and/or Emulators, and/or real gear, in order to build hands-on skills for the exams. If you buy a Sim, the Sim should have documentation, so I don't bother blogging about it. If you get the one Emulator (Dynamips/GNS3 family), there's already tons of easily-accessible information online, so I haven't spent time on it here in the blog. For buying real used gear, there seems to be not as much online info and recommendations, so that's where I spent some time on this topic last year, and will again this year. But, it's worth a day to ramble about the options...
Simulators, by my definition at least, are software products that outwardly act like real gear, but inwardly can do whatever they want. Being software products, the features beyond that base description vary wildly. For example, I have seen some products over the years that follow a pre-defined set of steps, and the user cannot deviate from those steps. If you follow the steps, the output looks like real gear. Others allow greater freedom, so that you can type any (supported) command on the simulated devices, with behavior that mimics the real gear. Some Simulators support the creation of your own topology of different models of routers, switches, and maybe other devices as well, while others use a static set of pre-defined topologies. (I'm sure there are other comparison points; I'm just listing a few as examples.)
Emulators, defined at least in the context of the public Cisco space, means software that both outwardly and inwardly acts like the networking devices. Specifically, that means freeware Dynamips/Dynagen (http://www.dynagen.org/) and it's graphical front-end GNS3 (http://www.gns3.net/). (If you start at the Dynagen web site, you'll see several good links to learn more.) Short version - get the free code, and then it runs multiple instances of router IOS on your PC. You can connect the instances to each other via LAN or serial, and to the outside world. It's real IOS, so it's very realistic. It's free. It didn't support Cisco switch IOS last I looked, but it supports basic emulated LAN switches. And it's both cool and useful.
And, there's real gear. More to come on that.
If you plan on being in the Cisco space for a while, you may end up with all three. Between the three, there is no cut/dried answer to which option you should use. I do think there are several points to consider, which I'll list several here in the remainder of this blog post. So... considerations?
Odom, CCIE No, 1624, splits time between writing books for Cisco Press and teaching classes for Skyline ATS. In his 25-ish years in the networking industry, he has worked as as a pre-sale and post-sale SE for a few networking vendors, as well as a network engineer implementing network technology. Wendell has spent the majority of the last 15 years teaching, consulting, and writing about networking technologies, most of which in some way relate to Cisco products. His books include titles on QoS, CCIE R/S, as well as several titles related to CCNA certification, including the September 2007 book CCNA Official Exam Certification Library (CCNA Exam 640-802) (Read a sneak peek of chapter 7). Click for the list of current titles by Wendell.
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GNS3
GNS3 can be found at gns3.net, not gns3.org.
GNS3 seems to be a pretty good option, and I'll likely be using it to supplement hardware purchased (though the purchase will be less expensive, thanks to some tips from here!)
Thanks for the heads up!
Sean,
Thanks for the heads up on the wrong URL - should be fixed now.
Wendell
Emulator Versus Real Metal
I too debated on whether to rely on the simulators or to invest in the real thing. For my CCNA I decided to used the real thing as much as possible (3 routers, 3 switches) but I also used GNS3 to set up a Frame Relay cloud since I did not have the correct interfaces.
I much prefer the real thing when possible. It gives a true hands-on dynamic that just can' t be achieved when using software. I have a 20U rack that I picked up inexpensively and part of the experience was to put together a nice set up. I am now assembling CCNP hardware(1 Frame Switch, 1 Access Server, 5x 2610XM, 2x 3550 EMI, 2x 2650 EI) and again I will use this when possible, but, when I find something I cannot practice I will build it out on GNS3.
Sim/emulators Vs Lab gear
I have tried several methods of learning how to configure Cisco kit incuding Dynamips, Packet Tracer and real gear. I built a home lab to have a play with, but in the end I used mainly simulators for CCNA exam prep. I think it is useful to have as many types as you can get for flexibility. Obviously you can't take your home lab with you, but saving a simulator config to a USB flash stick and practising in your lunch break is easy.
For pure routing practice, Dynamips makes great sense, but it lacks the switching functions necessary for CCNA exam prep. I will probably use it extensively for BSCI, but it cannot be used for BCMSN at all, and so I'll need to use my lab gear (3x2950) to get through this exam. Plus you can't do things such as setting up a consol connection and backup/restore an image from a TFTP server using ROMMon.
For the self-studier, I don't think it's possible to get past CCNA level without getting some hands-on, either with a home lab or renting some rack time. Sims/Emus might get you started, but I think they lack the full package required for a CCxP.
Hands-on a must - just which way is the question
Fuzz,
To echo, I agree, even CCNA requires hands-on practice, be it Sims, Ems, lab gear you buy, or even lab gear you rent. But you've gotta practice - it's not enough to just read what's in the book.
thx,
Wendell
Mix them up
You can plug your emulator lab into real gear such as a switch and get the best out of it. Again, I have not done it myself but have peers that have.
I am starting to buid my lab today. I'll start small for CCNA-Sec, but I eventually will grow it into CCNP app and voice lab.
Hey Wendell, I have read
Hey Wendell,
I have read your posts for about a year. On the note of simulations - dont you have one coming out? What are your thoughts on that to help with CCNA studying? Would your feelings be the same for the previous question if the person was to say they were going to five right into the CCNA Security and CCSP?
Hi Wendell, I to am
Hi Wendell,
I to am anxiously awaiting the CCNA Simulator. I have to admit it has gotten a bit aggravating. I remember seeing a brochure that said the product would be available October 2008 at one point. Since then it has changed to November, December, January 9, March ?, April 1, and now June of 2009. What gives?
CCNA Simulator
I am the project manager for the CCNA Simulator product at Pearson. I understand your frustration over the delays in the release of the new CCNA simulator. We had hoped to have the product out in April, but we did not want to rush the product to market only to find that it did not live up to customer expectations.
We released our CCENT simulator in January (available on www.ciscopress.com or www.informit.com), and the feedback we have received on the performance of the software to date has been extremely positive. We want to make sure that we get the same kind of reaction to the full CCNA version, which, of course, has more labs and more complex configuration and troubleshooting tasks than the CCENT product.
If you are interested in getting to work on the CCENT labs now, you can purchase it before June 1st and receive a free ICND2 update when the ICND2 labs are complete.
Thanks for your continued patience!
A bit of an overstatement, but yes
Hi J,
The short answer to your question is yes and no. I worked on Pearson's new Sim product. To say it's "mine" would be a gross overstatement - I've not designed/written any software in... well, a long time. But I did work on the project more than just a little. See the other post below from Brett regarding some of the business-related stuff about which it'd be innapropriate for me to comment.
That said, knowing I have an interest in that product, I'm a big fan of Sims for the earlier stages of learning a topic for an EXAM. As you go deeper, I'd say moving towards real gear (or Emulators like Dynamips) makes more sense. The Sims should remove enough variables so that you can go from purchase to learning in little time, and be realistic enough about what matters to the exam to be useful for prepping the exam.
I can't say much on this for CCNA Sec. or CCSP; I've not seen any Sim's that support the command set for those, although frankly, I've not been looking for them, either. ;-)
HTH!
Wendell
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