Cisco Router and switch for home

[jirnodhar]

I am wondering what would be the best and inexpensive Cisco router and switch to use for my home. I want them to have the full current Cisco IOS CLI on it so I can practice and gain knowledge for my CCENT and beyond. I also want to use them for my home network so I would like to have gig ports and not fast ethernet. I don't require wifi function because I can turn my current router to AP mode and use that.

Does anyone have any suggestions for this?

[Leo Laohoo]

ISR 1100 for the router and Catalyst 9200/9300 for the switch. 

[balaji.bandi]

until you want to shell out a lot of money, buy a new kit.

If you not fancy, just IOS CLI, i would use refurbished from the local market

https://shop.certificationkits.com/ccna-lab-kits/

if you want to same some more money, suggest to use Virtual emulators ( GNS3/ PNET/EVE/CLAM(for 200$)

[paul driver]

Hello
I’d personally go virtual labs with Eve-ng professional.
I have had physical labs in the past and its expensive to keep updated and current, The price you would pay for a physical rack would be a lot higher than buying a of a good beefy high end pc/server with multiple cpu’s/and lots of ram with eve-ng or virl subscriptions and the beauty of virtual labbing is you are not stuck to one vendor,

[Martin L]

I would start with Packet tracer -free simulator from Network academy- if you new to CCNA/CCENT studies; you will learn more with PT then with real gear especially at beginning. PT was made for studies at CCNA level and has everything you need. It is very helpful for learning basic networking  stuff and also learning IOS commands and operations.

Real gear is good if u need some hands-on experience.  Catalyst 9200/9300 switches are too expensive;  try used 3850s;  my favorite was 3750.  Check if 2900 routers come with Gig ports; I have older 2800 one and was very good.

Regards, ML
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