MicroNugget: How to Build a CCNA Home Lab

In this video, Jeremy Cioara covers how to build a network of your own to experiment and practice on at home. A home lab is the best way to expand your networking knowledge, and with Jeremy's tips on equipment, it doesn't have to be too expensive.

If you're preparing to take the CCNA, there's no better way to learn the networking and routing fundamentals than to have a network of your own to experiment with, configure, and even break to your heart's content. Everyone needs a place to practice configuring network address translation, access control lists, IP addresses, and quality of service — the great thing about practicing it all in a home lab is that you also hold your household's internet hostage while you play around. Get yourself prepared for the CCNA by buying the right Cisco router and combining it with the switches and cables you need to emulate a real-world environment in a home lab.

Start learning with CBT Nuggets:

[LuckyYouDude]

@Jeremy Would you please update this video for 2020. What set up would you recommend for CCNA plus CCNP so we don't have to buy the setup twice. Thank you for all the awesome IT videos you make. Thanks!

[LachezarDolmov]

You can get a really good deals on the flea markets - I got my 1811 router for 8 USD, then bought 128MB RAM module for another 3 USD and the CompactFlash I got from a colleague for free. Then I found a 48-port Catalyst 2960 Plus with 2 SFPs for another 5 bucks - total spend: 16 USD and I cant believe it!
The CON is that it doesn't happen when you want it.. its a luck :D

[juleswinnfield]

I really don't want to make a homelab with 10/100 kit, I feel like I need to go all out... Even to begin learning - I want to be able to use the kit, and not just have it in a spare room. Need gig!

[reconxf]

What if my ISP only allows certain specific router and modem models

[daviddenson]

Is a serial cable really needed to connect 2600 routers? Can they not be connected via Ethernet crossovers?

[MrEkg]

Starting my own homelab. Got it running but i need a sre for my 3945e. I wanted ivr and mailboxes but i cant find one with the os and licenses. What else can i do with a sre. I also seem to be missing cme 12 files. It runs but the web interface doesnt do anything. Cli is fine. Got two phones setup on sccp

[tommysixorozco]

i can get the 3650 for 34.99, should i?

[garygalvez]

Quick question! I want to start building my lab to start studying for my CCNA, but I was wondering if I need a minimum requirement for a pc?

[sharadmaurya]

Can I practice all protocols related to ccna 200-301 with all syllabus covering up just because latest cert. have additional concept as well plz suggest the path

[tinostarks]

the problem with this is that most if not all of these recommendations are just limited to 10/100 when ppls internet in 2018 has exceeded 100Mbits in many locations.

[dgoeloe]

Why is everyone still on ISR G1 or even older? I got a full IOS v15 lab consisting of 1x 3945 ISR2, 2x 2911 ISR2, 3x 2960 24x10/100 PoE Lan Base. Next to that 2x ASA5510. Total EUR 240, 00. Now just looking for the right 3750 for layer 3 switching to complete a collapsed core/distribution setup. This will set me back another EUR 200, 00 voor dual 3750-X's.

[Super_Cool_Guy]

BUILD A HOME LAB THESE DAYS ? HAVE YOU NOT HEARD OF AWS OR AZURE ?...*