Hi,

I just purchased the following cisco equipment:

Routers
10 1720
03 2501
01 4000M

Hubs
02 424

Switches
01 1924-XL
01 2912-XM

I plan on purchasing the following:

Routers
01 26XX
01 806

My question is three-fold:
1. can you tell me if this is a good setup for studying for the CCNA?
2. how exactly do I hook this stuff up? (ie. What connects to what and how?)
3. what cables do I need and where can I purchase them cheap?

Thanks,

Hopeful

Here is what Cisco recommends:

http://www.cisco.com/edu/emea/pdfs/lab_nov01.pdf

Here's a FAQ on the program:

CCNA FAQs-Program Overview - Cisco Systems

Compare that to what you're getting. It also lists the cables that you'll need some of which (V.35) aren't cheap but if you can afford to purchase all of these devices the price of the cables is relatively cheap. In addition to what's listed you'll also need a couple of Ethernet cables + some crossover cables the number of each you'll need depends on the setup. You'll also need a Cisco console cable (check for the particular device on Cisco's site for the specific console cable that you'll need).

If a switch connects to a router via RJ45 Ethernet then you'll need a standard Ethernet Cable. If you're trying to connect routers directly to each other via RJ45 then you'll need a cross over cable (same for switches if you're trying to connect them together).

The 1720 routers that you got will be good for serial connectivity but likely aren't good enough for things like trunking to switches as I don't believe they support 802.1Q trunking (only ISL trunking) which is something you will likely need for a CCNA cert. I also doubt the 19xx switch will support 802.1Q trunking but the 2912XL should. If you get the 26xx routers then those should be able to support 802.1Q trunking.

You can pick up the cables just about anywhere on-line. You can try eBay or any number of sites. As far as how to connect these devices together that will depend on the lab you're doing. Each lab will require you to interconnect the devices a certain way.

Casey