Recently, I received a support request at UDEMY, which I found very interesting to share with everyone on this blog.

A student asked me the following ... What should he buy and how should he proceed to have his mini-laboratory of physical equipment?

In the understanding that we have evolved enormously, from the concept of "I have my equipment on site", towards the model of "consumption services", my collaborative response was the following. I have my equipment on site , towards the "consumption services" model, my collaborative response was the following.

There are two ways to invest to learn how to configure devices from Cisco and other brands today.

We have the PHYSICAL option and the VIRTUAL option.

Let's start with the PHYSICAL option .

It is expensive, due to the purchase of the equipment.

They are expensive to maintain.

They depreciate very fast.

They generate heat and a lot of noise.

They give you a unique experience of learning how a team really responds to scenarios of constant change or stress.

It gives you a sense of ownership and of knowing what you are doing, because you see the team in front of you.

In the same vein, the purchase options are on eBay, Amazon, other students who already want to sell their equipment, as well as companies that are updating equipment.

The hardware options are:

Router (ISR 1900).

Switches (Layer 3 Models 3560 and 3750).

IOS should preferably be version 15.x onwards.

Now, changing towards VIRTUAL , ( the best option today and in the future ), you have:

Packet Tracer:

Completely free and the best way to start. It is an EMULATOR of equipment, designed so that you start at zero cost and have fun while you learn. It is the de facto software for teaching at Cisco Academies around the world and in any language.

GNS3:

It is a SIMULATOR of Routers. 100% free. You must have or purchase the Cisco IOS Image or images to work with Virtual Routers, Switches, Firewalls, both from Cisco and other manufacturers.

VIRL (Virtual Routing Internet Lab):

It is by far the best software for learning Cisco, both today and in the future.

The only case is that it is based on a license and you must buy it year after year.

Its cost is $ 199.00 and you must also have a Server computer or a Laptop or a PC with enough computing, CPU and RAM, so that it is installed and works correctly.

Being a Cisco software, and paying for a license, it allows you to access a set of Official Cisco Images or IOS, both about Routers, Switches and Firewall, immediately. (I think this is where the real value of paying for the VIRL license is . )

On the other hand, this software is very complete and designed for the new era of Hybrid Network Engineers, who must learn both R&S and Network Programmability.

In summary, if you want to spend on equipment and you are seriously focused on achieving your Cisco certification, I suggest that you do not spend on Hardware, which could represent an approximate expense and above $ 700.00 at least to have 2 routers, 2 switches and a few console, serial and stacking cables.

Instead I advise and propose that you focus 100% on the virtual concept, and invest the $ 199.00 dollars in VIRL and in a laptop or a server with CPU power and at least 16 GB of Ram, in this way, you can buy the license, download and install the VIRL on your server ( you must also install VMWARE Workstation free version ) and in less than 60 minutes, you already have a laboratory that you will take with you wherever you want, without consuming the energy or space of having equipment physical installed and associated with the electricity bill of your home or office.

By being enabled in a virtual way, you will have the possibility of creating as many types of laboratory as you want, with Routers, Firewalls, Switches, among other benefits that VIRL offers you.

Likewise, before investing in VIRL, I suggest you start with the 100% FREE options , which are excellent and give you the support you need to start your CCNA, CCNP and even CCIE studies.

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