Building a home lab - need advice please!

[NetworkGoats]

I am slowly acquiring a home lab of Cisco devices. I am currently studying for the CCENT, so Packet Tracer is working fine. But, I would like to have a few Cisco devices by the time I pass and start studying for the CCNA - Routing and Switching. I will use ebay. So far, I have only bought one device - a Cisco Catalyst 3550 Layer 3 Switch.

I am now looking for a router to buy. Outside of studying the Odom book, I watch Jeremy's CBTNugget videos. He recommends the Cisco 2621 XM router, because it is fairly cheap. Would this be a good router to get for a home lab? Will I need to get a WIC or module for it?

Also, what else would you recommend getting for a home lab? Thanks in advance.

[johnlloyd_13]

Hi, AFAIK, the 2600s (specifically 2621XM) don't support 15.0 IOS. To be safe either get a 1841, 2801 or 2811. These ISR routers support WIC modules if you want to expand your home lab and cross-connect Cisco routers. If you want wireless, you can get an 871w (also support 15.0 code) and it's fairly cheap in Ebay too.

[NetworkGoats]

Thank you. Does my 3550 switch support IOS 15? I'm still waiting for my serial to USB to gather that info and play around with it.

[johnlloyd_13]

Hi, I don't think 3550 supports 15.0 IOS code. I know 3560 does. It's still a good L3 switch though and you might as well keep it for CCNP perhaps.

[NetworkGoats]

Thank you!

What is a good home lab to have? 2 switches and 1 router? Or more devices?

[johnlloyd_13]

It greatly depends on your budget. I would advise 1 router and 1 switch to get familiar with CLI and expand your lab when performing complex lab scenarios. Personally, I would get an 1841 router and a 2960 switch to kick off my lab.