MPLS IOS requirements for CCIP home lab

[walter1972]

Hi

My home lab consists of the following hardware...

4 x 2620 64/16

1 x 2621 xm

3 x 3620 64/16

My question is this - can I practice MPLS sufficiently with these routers to pass the CCIP exam without upgrading?

My budget is spent and I worried I cannot get hands on with the features covered in this exam. ( I have still to start). I have Cisco account.

Please help

Thank you

Walter

[Giuseppe Larosa]

Hello Walter,

only the 2621xm is good for this 100%.

I don't trust the 2620 or the 3620 to be able to support MPLS.

A C3640 should be fine and they are end of sale since long time.

I used it and it worked well as P router.

you need at least two PE routers to test an MPLS VPN

Hope to help

Giuseppe

[walter1972]

Thanks Giuseppe!

So, are you saying I should get my hands on a couple of 3640s for the PE routers and make do with what I have for the CE routers?

I have read that the PE routers demand a higher spec but the core routers do not have this requirement.

I should be able to build a decent home lab with just two additional routers along with say the 2620s - right?

Thanks for helping!!!

[Giuseppe Larosa]

Hello Walter,

to make some meaningful tests I would use at least 4 routers:

one P router and three PE nodes this is could allow to explore multiple aspects.

In other tests you can use a chain

PE-P-P-PE.

I'm afraid the C2620s and the C3620 can be used as CE routers only.

Hope to help

Giuseppe

[Edison Ortiz]

Walter,

You should also explore Dynamips as an alternative.

For more information on Dynamips, please take a look at this link:

http://www.dynagen.org/tutorial.htm

HTH,

__

Edison.