Questions about consumer gear

[crobusa]

I've been reading about the OSI layers and it seems hubs are the dumbest out there.
Are consumer grade switches, such as linksys really level 2 switches, and are linksys routers level 3 devices without the CLI? Can someone dumb-down a consumer/cisco router into a switch?

I'm thinking of grabbing a bundle from ciscokits, but the routers have embedded hubs. Do I want to get a switch to learn about the CCNA, or should I get one or two routers as well?

Thanks!

 

[nightowl]

All switches are layer 2 devices. They make forwarding decisions on mac-addresses which reside at layer 2 of the OSI model. The routers that you are referring to are layer 3 devices as well but fall short of a fully functional router that businesses use. Most can do RIP though. As for your question about hardware. The routers will be fine for what you are wanting to do. You will need a DCE-DTE serial cable to connect the serial ports together. A Cat 1924 switch will not do you much good for the CCNA since the CCNA tests more recent versions of IOS for the switches. A 2950 would be a better choice or at least a 2900(xl).

 

[crobusa]

Thanks for the quick reply,
So switches aren't flashable? Do I need to worry about memory expandability on routers? Can I pass the test working on a 2950 alone?

I have a budget of around $200-$300 for equipment. Are the prices at Ciscokits decent? I've heard good things about them, but their 2950 kit is just barely in my reach.

Thanks again,

Charles

Edit: Do I need to worry alot about phony Cisco stuff on ebay? Can you recommend a cheap Cisco router for VPN? Thanks!

 

[Cooky]

I recommend 2x 2500 routers and 1 2950 switch. Don't get 1900; they're really old and are no help for CCNA.
I've never dealt w/ Ciscokits but you can get what you need from eBay.

 

[nweaver]

I would learn the basics of the OSI and networks in general before I jump the gun and buy cisco gear.

 

[bigpow]

make sure you get the one with ethernet ports (don't get the old ones with AUI) - unless the transceiver is also part of the package