CCNP switch conundrum

[LynK]

Gentlemen,

Taking my route on the 30th! wish me luck. But that is not the topic of this post. What software/hardware did you guys use for CCNP switch? I am trying to figure this out before I start studying for it at the end of this month. I am worried I am not going to have anything to study on because of the lack of L2 switching platforms. Should I get VIRL?

[SimonV]

If I were you I would get myself a couple of 3560s for cheap, switching in virtual is a pain in the ass.

[NetworkGroover]

If I were you I would get myself a couple of 3560s for cheap, switching in virtual is a pain in the ass.

They haven't improved on this with VIRL or whatever it's called?

If not, yeah thats the traditional route and the one I went so I could do all the labs in the CCNP Switch lab book - get real gear.

[SimonV]

Oh, maybe they have. I haven't used VIRL before, only GNS3 and Unetlab.

[NetworkGroover]

Oh, maybe they have. I haven't used VIRL before, only GNS3 and Unetlab.

Yeah I dunno - purely a question.  If they still can't do it today man they are behind.

[wintermute000]

It does switches. Most features work, all the key ones anyway (spanning tree and vlans)

[SimonV]

Does it do loops as well? 

[wintermute000]

Debug to your hearts content

[jason.copas]

The 3560's as mentioned earlier will work.  My day-to-day job includes most of the material in the SWITCH test, so I didn't do much studying honestly.  For me that is the easiest Cisco test I've taken to date.  I think most, if not all, would be doable on 3560's.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[LynK]

@jason,

I should have taken the switch first.... oh well. The course material seems significantly smaller. I hope I pass