Best Catalyst switch to buy to learn all about managed switches and IOS

[petercrowe]

It's well known that the Catalyst line of switches are known both for the quality of build, and for the prevalence of their use in the IT world.

What I would like to know is this now being 2012, what switch would the experts recommend us up and coming Cisco experts purchase cheaply (on eBay) so we can learn all the relevant technologies?

I'm in the middle of learning about VLAN's now, so any advice pertaining to them would be great.

What I'm really looking for is a switch that can be bought cheaply on eBay, that contains most technologies that are currently in practice in today's IT world (ex. STP (and all variations)).

Which series (sub $100) has it all? Number of ports not important. Price and technology relavance important.

Thanks all.

[jose.vieira525]

Hi Peter

There is no need to buy any hardware to accomplish that. GNS3 should be more than enough for all your study requirements. Just passed my CCNP and only used GNS3.
But if you want to get some hardware I would recommend the 3750 since they are really great.

Regards

Sent from Cisco Technical Support iPad App

[Peter Paluch · Accepted solution]

Hi Jose,

With all due respect, I do not agree that GNS3 can sufficiently prepare you for the switching part of the CCNP certification. It lacks a number of key technologies: RSTP, MSTP and various STP protection features, VTPv3, EtherChannels using PAgP/LACP, Private VLANs, VACLs, DHCP Snooping, IP Source Guard, Dynamic ARP Inspection, routed ports on switching modules, SPAN/RSPAN... and I guess I could go on naming other stuff. These things have to be practiced on real switches (or on IOU, right, Cisco? )

Regarding the real equipment: I suggest focusing on multilayer switches, so in order of preference, 3750, 3560, 3550 (the 3550 is an end-of-sale model and does not support all aforementioned features, either). I am afraid, though, that these will be prohibitively expensive even on eBay. Perhaps you could have a look at the compact 8-port versions of 3560 Catalysts that support most of the required technologies and features, and should be cheaper.

It's got to be said frankly, though - it is very expensive to build a private lab using Cisco gear.

Best regards,

Peter

[petercrowe]

Jose,

I already have GNS3 and was able to get a virtual ASA5510 running, but hadn't spent much time looking into the emulation of switches. This thread has prompted me to look into it and I found this

http://www.gns3.net/hardware-emulated/

So I could do the 3700s series with an Etherswitch module, and get at least a bit better than the really limited stock switches that come with GNS3.

Peter, I believe I'll go the route you've suggested to further deepen my knowledge. The eBay prices on the 3560-8PC (10/100/1000), start, shockingly, in the mid $200 range. One can find 48 port 3750's (only 10/100) for the same price, so I'll probably go that route. While purchasing at least 2 (to play around with trunking, EtherChannels etc.) will be relatively expensive, the education will be hands on and invaluable.

Thanks very much to the both of you, and Happy Holidays.

Peter