Home lab query

Jordan · ‎10-03-2016

Hi, I hope this is the right place to post this question, if not please let me know.

Basically I'm looking at doing a CCENT course and then move onto CCNA afterwards so i would like to set up a home lab to aid me with the learning process, but all the lab kits i can find online are all based in the US and none are for sale in the UK, my question is will a lab kit bought from the US work over here in the UK? I'm going to guess the answer is no as most things don't work between the two countries in terms of electronics but i thought I'd run the risk of looking stupid and ask anyway :)

Thanks in advance.

johnlloyd_13 · ‎10-03-2016

hi,

yes, it would work. just change the power plug to euro type (3 prong).

i buy my stuff on ebay US and ship them here in singapore which uses euro plug.

i would suggest getting a 800 series router and couple of 8 port switches for your lab.

Jordan · ‎10-04-2016

Hi John,

Thanks for your reply, that's great news as I've got a few spare kettle type plugs lying round :)

Will any 800 series router do? Ideally I'd like a router that can take ADSL2+ and VDSL connections as i plan to set my home lab up to run my home network at some point in the future also gigabit speeds would be ideal too, i don't mind paying a little more for the luxury, same goes with switches too if you can recommend any? I'm still a little unfamiliar with Cisco product specs if you can't tell!

johnlloyd_13 · ‎10-04-2016

hi,

you can do a search on cisco's website for the right 800 series router for your lab.

it looks like the 897 is what you're looking for. see link:

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/routers/897-multi-mode-vdsl2-adsl2-plus-pots-annex-m-multi-mode-4g-lte-router/model.html

as for 8 port switch, you could either get a 2960 or pay a liltte more for a 3560 layer 3 switch (can do routing):

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/switches/catalyst-2960g-8tc-l-compact-switch/model.html

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/switches/catalyst-3560-8pc-compact-switch/model.html

personally, i would still go for a 871w (wifi router) since it's cheap and you can just plug behind your existing wifi router/ap (via ethernet port) instead of setting up and troubleshooting ADSL WAN.