Router / Switch and Vista

[Zap]

It would be helpful to know how those of you who have obtained their CCNA certification handled the computer labs. There are a number of web sites selling routers and switches to use for the hands-on labs and I was wondering if this is worth the investment.

Also, computers running Vista have no hyperterminal. What is an alternative?

Thank you,

[Biggles77]

Answer to your second question.
http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=hyperterminal+for+vista&meta=&aq=f&oq=

There is also an alternative to purchasing the physical equipment and that is to hire time on online gear. I think Chris Bryant's site has a link or it may be on the happyrouter.com.

"Stole" this from a Private Site I have access to.
Krzysztof Halapup[/SIZE]]
http://www.gns3.net/ (http://www.gns3.net/)
Uses Dynagen / Dynamips
This is the holy grail. All you need is someone to get you Cisco IOS i heard google is a good start ;)
Basically allow you to run Cisco IOS and emulate a real router.
I used this when studying for CCNP.
I got it to use about 4 gig of ram emulating about 12 cisco routers doing IS-IS and OSPF routing.



Maybe David or Chris can comment on this product if they know about it. Like Sgt Schultz, I know Nothing!!

[Zap]

Thanks for your reply and sorry for taking so long to reply back. I thought about renting time, but my work schedule changes daily and to schedule time on a routing system days or weeks in advance would not work. The only alternatve for my needs was to purchase a Cisco CCNA lab kit which I did from ciscokits.com and it consists of three routers and three switchers, plus cables and even a book of almost 60 lab exercises. Now when I have a little time before or after work I can work on a project.