Studying for any sort of Cisco certification can get expensive very quickly, particularly when you factor in the cost of piecing together your own lab. One problem I have personally run into, is how to squeeze some lab work in while I’m away from home (at work or otherwise traveling). Having my entire lab powered up for eight hours or more, just so I could possibly run a lab exercise for 45 minutes at work did not seem efficient to me.
Recently, I have been playing with Dynamips, which is an emulator that allows you to run real Cisco IOS images. Experience with Linux made me feel right at home with the configuration and operation of the virtual Cisco devices in Dynamips. However, getting the hang of the configuration and inter-workings, could be confusing for some (including myself at points).
While browsing the Dynagen web site this morning, I came across a program called GNS3. This is a GUI interface that simplifies the use of Dynamips. Since it is a GUI, it allows you to see the topology of the network you are creating, which I find helpful.
The emulator in general is very handy when experimenting with certain things without purchasing additional hardware. I know many CCIE’s find Dynamips useful, since they have access to all of the downloads from Cisco. In addition, Dynamips can be bonded to a physical interface, allowing you to connect it to a physical lab or an outside network.
Below are links to the software I have talked about. Keep in mind, all of this software is free.
- Dynagen - Text-based front end for Dynamips router emulator
- GNS3 - GUI front end of Dynamips
CCNA Study, Cisco Lab
After finishing my first CCNA book, I felt there was something missing from my self-study experience. The book had a few exercises in each chapter, but the exercises tended to revolve around the virtual lab simulator included with the book. What bothered me the most was the the exercises were, just that, exercises.
I have nothing against exercises, it’s just that I wanted a more in-depth experience. While exercises focused only on the topic in the chapter, I was looking more for a book of labs that built on the topics covered in each previous lab.
After looking around, I came to the conclusion that the Cisco Networking Academy Lab Companion books were the best choice. There are two books based around the Cisco Networking Academy courses. The CCNA 1 and 2 Lab Companion starts with the very basics, including cabling (which is something that is valuable if you are unfamiliar with cabling topics). The CCNA 3 and 4 Lab companion goes into more depth, including advanced configuration of CIsco routers and switches.
If you are looking for some labs to go along with your CCNA study, take a look at these books.
CCNA 1 and 2 Lab Companion
CCNA 3 and 4 Lab Companion
CCNA Study
I started reading though my CCNA book about a month or two ago. Before I did not have a set schedule, but I have started to set the goal of one chapter a week for myself. While it is a conservative goal, I hope it will give me time to apply what I read in hands-on labs.
Currently, I am preparing to finish up the chapter on VLANs. That leaves about six to seven chapters left in this book. Once I am finished with that current book, I will move on to the Cisco press books I have for CCNA study.
Below are the books I currently have in my collection:
CCNA Study