[c-nsp] home connection and lab question?

[Justin Shore]

Scott Granados wrote:
> What Cisco gear would folks suggest for a home lab that's reasonably priced
> (Ebay, what ever) but with enough functionality to be useful?  Also, for
> connectivity for such a lab would a basic higher tier Cable work or is it
> worth the extra bucks for a T1 / multi-megabit fixed wireless / higher speed
> DSL?  Any pointers would be appreciated.

Is there any specific area of the networking world that you want to get 
in to?  Generally-speaking the last major product line is usually fairly 
cheap on eBay.  For example you can pick up a loaded Cat550x for under a 
couple hundred if you have a need to run CatOS.  For about the same 
price you can build out a good 8500.  The 7500s have significantly 
dropped in price recently as well.  I'm currently working on picking up 
a couple 7500s myself.  Generally-speaking I've found that the larger 
items are usually avoided by most eBay buyers.  The cost for the smaller 
more manageable devices tends to bring quite a bit more.  Look at the 
cost of a 2800 vs that of a loaded 7500.  The 2821's mounting brackets 
are bringing more than my last 5505.

Justin