Nexus 5010 for LAB

[nawir]

Dear All,

I am thinking to buy Nexus 5010 from eBay to learn Nexus

QUESTIONS

1. Is Nexus 5010 enough to study for Datacenter exam

2. If I don't have license for it. What would run and wouldn't run

I understand 5010 can't use Advanced vPC

3. If following attached diagram. Can I use twinax cable for Nexus to Nexus and Nexus to Server

4. Can I use 1000v instead of 5010 to learn Nexus

thanks

[Mark Malone]

another option is CISCO VIRL software for DC training

[Brandon Rumer (Cisco)]

Since you just want to learn NXOS with the goal of focusing on one of the datacenter exams, I would second Mark's choice of using VIRL. The 5010 is a pretty old switch and depending on what level of Datacenter exam you wish to take, you might as well go with an option that is able to match the technologies that the datacenter exam will ask. The Nexus 7k is a real beast that (with correct licensing) is what you will likely want when emulating a datacenter environment but it comes at a hefty cost. Another option would be to save your $ and buy some lab credits with INE. 

I would go with VIRL and supplement with INE labs and not put money into a 1st generation Nexus platform.

Also check dCloud. There are a lot of simulations on there that provide you the environment where you can do whatever you want.