1921 / 1941 ISR Fan Noise

[michaelfield1]

Hello,

I am looking at the 1921 / 1941 for home use and to support my CCNP studies. Would some be able to comment on what the fan noise level is like from these models? Is it something that'll run quietly in the corner or is it going to be as noisy as somerthing like a 2600 series router?

Thanks,

Mike

[Vasilii Mikhailovskii]

Hello, Michael.

Why do you need real device for the lab? I'm certified and never had a real-device lab (but production network only ).

GNS3 or/and IOU should be sufficient to cover most of the topics (but p-vlan, q-in-q and a couple of others).

PS: actually (recently) I had to connect 2 lab routers when I was testing reverse ssh.

[michaelfield1]

Hi Mikhailovsky,

Thanks for the reply. Indeed I use GNS3 a lot also :-)

I'd also like a router that'll allow me a great deal more flexibibilty that my current ISP provided one. I'm opting for a Cisco one as I'd also like to use it as a means of additional practice

I'm also looking for a router with gigabit ethernet interfaces as my ISP provides me with 200Mbps / 10 Mbps so have been looking at the 1921 /1941 and also the 890 ISR series.

Thanks,
Mike

[Jernej Vodopivec]

Michael,
I'd rather look at 2900 series for 200/10mbps WAN link. When NAT, ACL, QoS,... and other features are enabled router's performance drops.
Look at this document: http://anticisco.ru/pubs/ISR_G2_Perfomance.pdf

You'll probably need router with security license to get hands on experience with VPN, FW and other security features (notice -SEC in a part number).
If you'd like to use SSL VPN you'll need additional license for that also (router comes with eval license).
1921/1941,2901 comes with only two interfaces, 2911 and higer end models come with 3 interfaces. Maybe you should put in EHWIC card (eth.switch).
For testing MPLS, IP SLA and simmilar enterprise features you'll need data license.
For testing IP telepfony unified communications) you'll need UC license.
If you work for Cisco partner maybe you can get your demo/lab router through NFR program. Talk with your Cisco rep. about this.

Regarding noise: please look at datasheets - you'll find information about noise levels there:
2900:http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/routers/2900-series-integrated-services-routers-isr/data_sheet_c78_553896.html
1941: http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/routers/1900-series-integrated-services-routers-isr/data_sheet_c78_556319.html
1921: http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/routers/1900-series-integrated-services-routers-isr/data_sheet_c78-598389.html
Cisco 892FSP, 896VA, 897VA, 898EA, and 891F are fanless.