Virtual Lab for 100-101
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Is there a lab or virutal switch interface that can be logged into or downloaded to work offline for someeone to practice commands on? I am a learn by doing type of person, and all though I am following the guys on the video, I find it helpful to copy what they are doing and see what the results are for myself. I do not have any Cisco switches/routers etc in my personal inventory.
Thanks,
Matt -
Matt,
We would love to say that we had a customized ITProTV solution for you but our attempts at providing one hasn't been realized. The problems comes to licensing more than anything else. Cisco is very protective at any trying to provide an emulated environment. Anything, besides actual hardware is not able to be licensed. We're still in our search on what we can do!
That doesn't mean that all is lost though!
There is GNS3, This allows people have a copy of some SPECIFIC Cisco IOSes to run it in an emulated router environment. We have a specific Skills show recording on using GNS3. There are limitations though. There is no real possible way to emulate a Cisco switch due to ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits). GNS3 is also a free product now.
There are some vendors that provide a simulator product instead. Boson, Pearson etc. there are several. You can do a search. These generally have a cost associated with it.
The difference between a simulation and emulation has to do with what is actually happening with the Cisco IOS. In a simulation, the Cisco IOS and the output is a simulation the output is only a pre-programmed output to what is typed in, the Cisco IOS is not actually running. Sometimes the outputs, especially on statistical info, is fake (looks real but not real output). In an emulation, the Cisco IOS is actually used and it is the hardware that is being emulated so the IOS runs on what it believes is hardware. This is a truer representation of the real device.
Cordially,
Ronnie Wong
Host, ITProTV -
Thanks Ronnie,
I did do a search and found an emulator / emulation set from what I would call a competitor to ITProTV so unless I have permission I won't post the link. Anyway there are things about it that I don't like as you can't copy start run and reload does not reload just logs out. A few things are already configured so it's not the true start from scratch time environment. It does provide me with the tactile learning I am comfortable with. I can copy the commands used in the lessons on the emulator just substituting an Ethernet 0/1 for a gigabit 0/1 interface or something since the emulated hardware is not the same hardware.
I also looked at practice rigs on ebay. Not sure I could trust them to be what I need for the money they ask for. I wish I had held on to some of the "throw" away hardware I had back in the late 90's when I was doing network upgrades... Oh well.
Thanks Ronnie and team,
Matt -
Matthew,
Another solution instead would be to rent equipment from one of the providers out there. You normally can do so at a reasonable price. The limitation is scheduling the rental time because it's not only on your demand; it is always on their availability instead. But usually reasonable and the nice thing is instead of a simulated environment, where you experience what you're experiencing, you'll be connected to real equipment!
Cordially,
Ronnie Wong
Host, ITProTV -
Never thought about renting. I'll look into that. Thank you.