MicroNugget: Finding Equipment for CCNA Data Center Exam Prep

In this video, Anthony Sequeira covers some simple methods for getting hands-on practice with Cisco equipment. Unless you have $100,000 lying around for a Cisco NX-OS 9000 series switch, you’ll need a few tips on how to get started in a more cost-effective manner.

When you’re studying for the CCNA, you can find all of the used equipment you need to set up a home lab for a couple of hundred dollars. If we’re talking about Cisco data center equipment, though, that cost skyrockets into the six figures very quickly.

One of the ways you can get hands-on experience without having to get a second mortgage is to rent rack time. If you search for “data center rack rentals,” you’ll find plenty of companies that offer access to a rental rack of equipment. These typically charge by the hour, which makes it affordable for targeted practice time.

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[elangrafe]

You are an amazing trainer, Anthony. Thanks!

[skwira]

I also found this. Don't mix NX-OS with IOS. As soon as you do that, you'll use about 3 more GB of RAM. So in the Official Cert Guide book for 200-155, when you do port channels, connect 2 9Ks back to back and then for the VPC, but other NX-OSv without the 9K name as the down stream switch instead of an IOS switch. That will make this run better. I have 32 GB of RAM in my machine. I wish I had 64 and possibly 128.

[skwira]

The only problem for VIRL is only the 9Ks have all the functionality and they take up a HUGE amount of memory. 64 MB of RAM is a minimum and 128 is probably the optimal for doing a lab.