For CCNA simulator software is "good enough" and a lot cheaper and easier to deal with or at least that was the case when I got CCNA certified (and then let it lapse) years ago. If you go the sim route find one that is open ended and allows you to play around beyond just completing the exercises. I know I learned a lot more playing around (what if I do this) than doing the official exercises. My second choice and first choice for the higher end tests where simulators are not available would be one of the remote equipment sources like John mentioned. There really is no good reason to go out and buy a bunch of equipment just to practice.
As Howard mentioned Cisco is a pain when it comes to licensing. I have not used Cisco in a long time but last time I checked if you purchased hardware from anyone other than a Cisco reseller they would not allow you to purchase IOS upgrades. It has been a long time since I purchased any Cisco and I was never a big Cisco user so that may have changed. Ultimately that is all academic from a certification standpoint but something to think about if you are ever in the position to decide between Cisco and something else. Not that Cisco doesn't have certain advantages. On Sun, Feb 21, 2010 at 6:14 PM, Kevin Marker <kmar...@gmail.com> wrote: > I am looking at getting my CCNA and was wondering if anyone had an old > router or switch they would like to sell. I would like to be able to > practice on some phsical hardware. I have installed GNS3 but don't really > have a Cisco IOS to load. It may be best to just bid on ebay, but I thought > I would ask the group first. Any suggestions would be appreciated. > > Thanks > Kevin Marker > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "NLUG" group. > To post to this group, send email to nlug-talk@googlegroups.com > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > nlug-talk+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com<nlug-talk%2bunsubscr...@googlegroups.com> > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/nlug-talk?hl=en > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "NLUG" group. To post to this group, send email to nlug-talk@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to nlug-talk+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nlug-talk?hl=en
