Lab Environment

So, for the v5 exam, there are choices when it comes to the lab.  Same thing with the v4 exam.  Choices, choices, choices. 

So the first and obvious choice is physical equipment.  INE is calling for 20 routers and 4 switches.  IPExpert is calling for 11 routers and 4 switches at a minimum.  That is a lot of equipment, a lot of power, a lot of cooling and a lot of money.  I can't do that. 

Next option is rack rentals.  Good choice.  Let someone else pay for the cost of all the equipment, cooling, and power.  My problem is again money for the rack time and the time it takes.  I travel a lot for work and have a wife so being able to to schedule time and use all that time is hard.  Again, another option I can't do.

Third option is using physical switches with 1000 CSRs running on an ESXi box.  This is doable and I have the box to run all those devices.  My issue is that the CSRs don't seem to be able to have serial connections.  While INE, thus far, isn't calling for serial links, IPExpert is.  Since I plan on using both, not really going to work for me. 

To me, that leaves me one last choice.  I am going to use GNS3 going to a breakout switch then to four physical switches.  My switches are two 3560v2's and two 3560E's.  My breakout that is doing QinQ is a 3750-48TS switch.  The switches are on lone so if they are called back then that leaves me a fifth option.

Option five is using GNS3 totally with integrated switching.  Since I contributed to GNS3, I have access to GNS3 Alpha releases.  I have tried it and I like it but either I am doing something wrong (strong possibility) or it just isn't ready for me yet with my studies.  I have a hard time with the IOL keeping configs.  A lot of work to make it work but it is a possibility if option 4 falls through. 

So now that my way of studying the labs is set up, let's talk about the server.  The server is a Dell OptiPlex with an Intel Xeon W3550 proc running at 3.07 GHz and has 12 GB of RAM.  It is running Windows 7 64-bit as well. 

Well that is the lab set up.  Now all I need to do is wait a little longer for the IPExpert workbooks to finalize and the INE to flesh out a little more.  Until then, I will continue to read and keep an eye on their sites.