Cisco Lab Setup

calendar Sep 8, 2012 · 5 min read · CCNA Cisco Cisco ASA Cisco Systems General ICND1 ICND2 networking Packet Tracer Software software technology tutorial Tutorials Virtual LAN Virtual machine VMware  ·
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A Cisco Lab
When it comes to learning and getting started with Cisco there are some tools that will help out a lot like Packet Tracer, GNS3 and other emulators. These are great tools for that "simulation" of hands on learning, but you can't always stay in that area. I find it best to get hands on with "real" Cisco Gear and so with this post I'll go through my current setup of what I have and ask that question when it is a good time to get a lab? Just because you may want to get a lab that does not guarantee you'll actually learn and or pass.   I'll cut right to it and break it down; I have the following items:

  • 1 x Tripp Lite SRW9U 9U Wall Mount Rack
  • 2 x Cisco 2811 Routers with IOS Security
  • 1x  Cisco 1841 Router with IOS SP Services
  • 1 x Cisco Catalyst 2960 Switch 48 ports (LAN Base)
  • 1 x Cisco ASA 5505 – Base
  • 1 x Cisco AS2509-RJ – Used as an access server

All of these devices are connected via a console cable to the Cisco 2509 and then a single console cable from the 2509 to my machine. This runs VMware Workstation 9 which I just upgraded by the way :) and these virtual machines connect directly to one of the three NICs I have on my machine. These then connect to a Cisco Switch which has four different VLANs (counting the default native VLAN) each assigned to a different range of ports which is seen in the code below: [code]Switch#show vlan VLAN Name Status Ports ---- -------------------------------- --------- ------------------------------- 1 default active Fa0/37, Fa0/38, Fa0/39, Fa0/40 Fa0/41, Fa0/42, Fa0/43, Fa0/44 Fa0/45, Fa0/46, Fa0/47, Fa0/48 Gi0/1, Gi0/2 20 ONE-12 active Fa0/1, Fa0/2, Fa0/3, Fa0/4 Fa0/5, Fa0/6, Fa0/7, Fa0/8 Fa0/9, Fa0/10, Fa0/11, Fa0/12 30 12-24 active Fa0/13, Fa0/14, Fa0/15, Fa0/16 Fa0/17, Fa0/18, Fa0/19, Fa0/20 Fa0/21, Fa0/22, Fa0/23, Fa0/24 40 25-36 active Fa0/25, Fa0/26, Fa0/27, Fa0/28 Fa0/29, Fa0/30, Fa0/31, Fa0/32 Fa0/33, Fa0/34, Fa0/35, Fa0/36 1002 fddi-default act/unsup 1003 token-ring-default act/unsup 1004 fddinet-default act/unsup 1005 trnet-default act/unsup VLAN Type SAID MTU Parent RingNo BridgeNo Stp BrdgMode Trans1 Trans2 ---- ----- ---------- ----- ------ ------ -------- ---- -------- ------ ------ VLAN Type SAID MTU Parent RingNo BridgeNo Stp BrdgMode Trans1 Trans2 ---- ----- ---------- ----- ------ ------ -------- ---- -------- ------ ------ 1 enet 100001 1500 - - - - - 0 0 20 enet 100020 1500 - - - - - 0 0 30 enet 100030 1500 - - - - - 0 0 40 enet 100040 1500 - - - - - 0 0 1002 fddi 101002 1500 - - - - - 0 0 1003 tr 101003 1500 - - - - - 0 0 1004 fdnet 101004 1500 - - - ieee - 0 0 1005 trnet 101005 1500 - - - ibm - 0 0 Remote SPAN VLANs ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Primary Secondary Type Ports ------- --------- ----------------- ------------------------------------------ Switch#[/code] The three NICs on my machine that I use for VMs are not useable to my machine locally. As I have disabled IPv4 and only left the VMware Bridge Protocol selected under the adapter properties, from there I have also edited the VMware Virtual Network Editor as follows and pictured below:

  • VMnet1 – Is bridged to my motherboard NIC and directly connected to a VM
  • VMnet2 – Is bridged to an Intel Gigabit PCI express card and directly connected to VM
  • VMnet3 – Is bridged to an Intel Gigabit PCI express card and directly connected to VM

Here is a picture of my current setup (The ASA is not in this picture):

My Current Cisco Lab
Cisco Lab
Second Picture of the Rack with the door closed:
My Current Lab with the door closed
Cisco Lab-2
Here is a screenshot of the one the NICs Properties:
NIC-Properties-VMWare
Here is a screenshot of the VMware Virtual Network Editor and how each NIC is bridged and directly connected to a VM:
VMware-Network-Editor
When I want a machine to use a NIC I just select one of the VMnet profiles as captured below:
VMware-Virtual-Machine-Settings-Network
So I talked about my current lab setup which will always continue to grow and be upgraded in time just like a "real" environment but there is another question when do you need lab? I would only setup a lab on at least one of these three conditions:

  • You have money to burn. This lab although small cost around $1,000 bucks.
  • You see yourself going to higher certification levels CCNA Security, Wireless, Voice, CCNP, CCIE and not just the CCNA.
  • You absolutely love this stuff!

For me it was option three that sold me, not only do I see myself working to higher certs but having that physical gear in hand is always the best type of learning (I think). When you go through your studies instead of just believing the answer, prove it by setting up the example physically instead of a point and click setup through simulation/emulation. I hope this information is helpful and if you have any questions about my lab and or other questions comment below.

Comments:

adam -

Where did you get your lab?

#### [Ryan](http://systemstechblog.wordpress.com "lewiryan@isu.edu") -

Hey Adam, The equipment for this lab I put together from Ebay. Ryan