Passing The CCNA and CCNP: Home Lab Shopping On Ebay

Whether you just get an idea for your Cisco home lab or add it to your existing laboratory, eBay is the right place to get ideas for your laboratory and get some great deals.

Of course, the internet is as it is, there will always be some people who want to take your money when sending your lower merchandise, or worse, no merchandise at all. Even though these "dealers" are in the minority, you should still be careful when buying Cisco equipment on ebay. In this article, I will give you some tips for browsing eBay ads for home lab ideas, and a few things to watch out for when buying equipment on ebay.

For those of you just starting out in pursuit of Cisco certifications, the idea of ​​buying a home laboratory kit - a set of routers, switches, and maybe some cables and study guides - seems like a good idea. Instead of uniting your labs one by one, this kit allows you to start your studies.

One thing to note in this kit is equipment that is out of date, or the inclusion of sulfur analyzer indonesia outdated study guides. Often, vendors will use this kit as a way to eliminate unwanted inventory.

The Cisco 1900 switch circuit is included in this category. A recent search on eBay for "ccna labs" showed seven different CCNA lab kits containing 1,900 switches. The problem here is that the CCNA exam does not currently test on 1900 switches, which are menu based and do not have IOS. You must be experienced with switches that have iOS, such as the 2950s.

The plus side here is that you might save money by using 1900 switches. If you have a tight budget, having a 1900 switch is better than nothing. However, if possible, get a Cisco switch with iOS.

The cables and transceivers that are included with this kit are generally exactly what you need to set up a particular kit, and this can be very helpful for CCNA candidates who are new to the various cables needed to physically configure a home laboratory. Make sure you don't buy a kit with 10 transceivers (used on the AUI port) when you only have two routers with an Ethernet port.

Watch out for kits that include outdated study guides. I have seen four-year-old CCNA books included with several kits. If you already have a study guide, please ask the vendor how much the kit is without a book.

That leads me to the most important point. Get to know the vendor before buying anything. Visit their website and check their eBay feedback. If buying from someone who is against the retailer, find out what condition the router or switch has stored, and be sure to determine the conditions under which they will receive a return. There is nothing wrong with buying equipment from someone who sells CCNA / CCNP / CCIE home laboratories, but make sure you ask the right questions first. Professional retailers generally have a return policy right on their eBay ad; if not, ask for a copy.

Building your own CCNA and / or CCNP home laboratory is a little daunting at first, but speaking as someone who has climbed the Cisco certification ladder from CCNA to CCIE, I can tell you that it is the best investment you can make in a career. Use a little caution, ask the right questions, and soon you will leave the world of "router simulators" - and you will develop your skills as a true professional: On real Cisco routers and switches!