VIRL vs Actual lab?

[XDroidie626]

I am looking to build a lab to compliment my CCENT studies, but I am unsure which is best to get.

At home I cant have a lab due to space limitations, I can build one in a spare room at my mums work using Powerline adapters and then add another router on at the end, I am thinking CISCO 871W.

I also have tons of computers in the rooms where servers will be stored so I can use them for any other servers.

For the switch I think I will end up with 2611, if I can find it cheap enough.

Then there is VIRL which I can access with ease anywhere in the world compared to having to keep the servers on and remote in.

 

So which option is better?

 

Thanks

[KTFO|SGTmoody]

I am looking to build a lab to compliment my CCENT studies, but I am unsure which is best to get.

At home I cant have a lab due to space limitations, I can build one in a spare room at my mums work using Powerline adapters and then add another router on at the end, I am thinking CISCO 871W.

I also have tons of computers in the rooms where servers will be stored so I can use them for any other servers.

For the switch I think I will end up with 2611, if I can find it cheap enough.

Then there is VIRL which I can access with ease anywhere in the world compared to having to keep the servers on and remote in.

 

So which option is better?

 

Thanks

You are probably better looking at cisco's packet tracer and if you can access the VIRAL for free the you can use that as well.

 

a proper cisco lab just for CCENT isn't realy nessacery unless of course you know your going to continue with CCNA, CCNP etc etc.

If your not going to have access to the hardware all the time and be able to plug and play with it then your better off with the software option.

 

i suggest packet tracer if you dont want to spend any money on things.  Especialy if VIRAL is $200 for an Anual lease. for that I recon you could get at least 2-3 cisco routers or switches and then you can keep them for ever.

 

But have a look at packet tracer, I think were on version 6.2 now.

[XDroidie626]

I can't get access to the net academy for a while with uni and the college near me does not teach ccent so I can't really get packet tracer

[Wombo]

I am looking to build a lab to compliment my CCENT studies, but I am unsure which is best to get.

At home I cant have a lab due to space limitations, I can build one in a spare room at my mums work using Powerline adapters and then add another router on at the end, I am thinking CISCO 871W.

I also have tons of computers in the rooms where servers will be stored so I can use them for any other servers.

For the switch I think I will end up with 2611, if I can find it cheap enough.

Then there is VIRL which I can access with ease anywhere in the world compared to having to keep the servers on and remote in.

 

So which option is better?

 

Thanks

I would also suggest GNS3. I have been using it for all my practice with Cisco gear. It is really great because it actually emulate the real IOS, unlike packet tracer which is a very VERY buggy simulation with minimal commands.

 

However I will say that if you are only trying to achieve your CCENT Cisco's Packet Tracer is probably your best bet. It has all the basic functionality required in the CCENT curriculum so you shouldn't really have any issues there. Just be aware that if you want to move up and achieve your full CCNA (can mostly be done with packet tracer) or even a CCNP (has requirements you can't achieve in packet tracer) you will need to move up and I cannot recommend GNS3 enough.

 

If you are looking for some great additional training check out CBT Nuggets. They really helped me with studying for my CCNP and they offer a 7 day free trial, check it out!

[XDroidie626]

Well I plan to go ccie with Cisco with a sprinkle of security and VMware also highest security cert of ccnp depending on if I need it.

VMware I would probs settle at vcp

But end goal is ccie hence asking for labs

[Wombo]

Well I plan to go ccie with Cisco with a sprinkle of security and VMware also highest security cert of ccnp depending on if I need it.

VMware I would probs settle at vcp

But end goal is ccie hence asking for labs

Go with GNS3.