| I hear from CCNA and CCNP candidates every day, | | | | as a frame relay switch, and still have ports to spare |
| and the most common question is "What routers and | | | | to practice routing protocols and directly connected |
| switches should I buy for my home lab?" There is no | | | | serial interfaces. I know ISDN home simulators are still |
| one right answer to this question, since every test | | | | expensive if bought new, but you can get a used one |
| candidate has a different budget. There are also | | | | on eBay and go from there. Even if you choose not to |
| CCNA candidates who want to go on to the CCNP | | | | buy an ISDN simulator now, the 2520 gives you that |
| and want to know what routers and switches are | | | | opportunity for future home lab growth - and "planning |
| best for future study. Again, there's no one right | | | | for future growth" is important when it comes to your |
| answer, but there are routers that fit every budget and | | | | home lab as well as production networks!2520s are |
| every study plan - and the Cisco 2520 router is the | | | | also remarkably affordable. Check your favorite online |
| king of home study labs.The 2520 has four serial ports, | | | | auction site for prices. |
| one ethernet port, and a BRI port. You can use a 2520 | | | | |