What's a good second router brand to learn?

[hfakoor222]

I want to expand on my skill set a little bit, and from time to time I want to lab up a second router brand, so as to I can say I can use so-and-so brand on my resume.

What is a good second router brand to use? I read Cisco holds about 40% of router share, the rest seem to be evenly distributed. I want to pick a brand with an eye for longevity.  Any opinions?

[Joseph W. Doherty · Accepted solution]

Brand "J".

[Elliot Dierksen]

I agree with @Joseph W. Doherty , especially if you have a service provider focus. "They" are pretty big in that space.

[Martin L]

I think you should focus on different "flavors" of IOS'es; from legacy and plain IOS to very much different NX and XR codes; there is also XE code for switches.  Brand or model of a router does not matter that much. 

CML virtaul lab environment (free online from DevnNet) has 3 out of 4 for you to play without breaking things or paying to much. 

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/ios-nx-os-software/index.html

https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/resources/ios_nx_os_reference_guide

Regards, ML
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[hfakoor222]

Okay thanks. If there are any more opinions I would be open. Right now I'm looking at J Cloud development after I obtain my ensari route cert