CCNP Routing

[huyan]

Hi everyone,

I make a resolution to have CCNP for 2019. I will begin with CCNP Routing.

Right now, I have 2821 routers x 3, 15.1M IOS c2800nm-adventerprisek9-mz.151-4.M10.

Since Cisco suggested to use Router 1941, I don't know if I have to get 1941 for the labs? If I do, how many 1941 Routers do I need?

Also how many routers do I need in total for CCNP labs? I read an article saying that I need 4 routers for all labs in CNNP Routing. Is it correct?

Thank you.

[Georg Pauwen · Accepted solution]

Hello,

four or five routers and two (L3) switches sounds about what you need. The 2821s you have are a good start, you could get another 1841, and possibly a 3620 or 3640. There are a lot of labs for sale on Ebay from people who did CCNP before, also, check the link below:

Building a CCNP Home Lab

https://www.cbtnuggets.com/blog/2016/05/building-a-ccnp-home-lab/

[balaji.bandi]

If you are not keen to have hardware lab at home, why not consider other sofware solution, which can be installed on Laptop and carry where ever you go and practice when you get a chance of free time.

in the market several available, examle : VRIL/ GNS3/ IOU/ EVE_NG

[huyan]

Hi,
Thank you for your reply. I tried to use GNS3 for CCNA (R&S), then I tried real labs for CCNA Security and found that I prefer real labs :) Also, I think it would give me a little bit more "real" hands-on experience than the virtual labs.

[balaji.bandi]

Agreed if you able to invest on hardware and learn bit and peases connecting cables sure more knowledge and helpfull in real environment.

just and thought of my views.

[paul driver]

Hello

---

@huyan wrote:
Hi,
Thank you for your reply. I tried to use GNS3 for CCNA (R&S), then I tried real labs for CCNA Security and found that I prefer real labs :) Also, I think it would give me a little bit more "real" hands-on experience than the virtual labs.

---

Well that does make sense but remember in the real world you be working with a a lot more than just cisco 2600,2800 rtrs and 3650 catalyst switches.

These can range from small business to large aggregation rts, switches fw;'s and unless you have a very large piggy bank and your own sub power plant you wont be able to have real labs for them, Additionally and the most important factor the hardware wont always be Cisco, So going forward having a good virtual setup and being able to at least familiarize yourself with other platforms and its software would be very beneficial.  

[huyan]

Hi Paul,
You made a point here. I will work have to work with different hardware. I guess sooner or later I will need to go virtual.
Thank you for the practical advice.

[paul driver]

Hello

I would also suggest to think about going virtual, for the amount of money you would pay for a hardware lab which would most probably be EOL anyway , Obtaining instead a barebone server with quad core cpu and 32-64Gb memory with a years subscription to virtual software I would say be much more beneficial.

The 3 virtual software applications to look into would be:
gns3
virl
eve-ng

[johnlloyd_13]

hi,

i've retaken ROUTEv2 this year in order to extend my CCNP. the latest ROUTE lab manual version 7 uses 4x routers using IOS 15.x since it involves a lot of IPv6 labs.

you can do ROUTEv2 using virtual labs. i used GNS3 and EVE.

see helpful link for both HW and virtual labs that I did:

http://wannabelab.blogspot.com/2018/08/configuring-ripng-and-ipv6-default-route.html

good luck!