LAN Switching Pod - Specifications and Requirements

Topology	Maximum per System1	Supports...	Documentation...
	8	CCNA Exploration and CCNA Discovery	Planning and Installation Guide

¹ This value indicates the maximum number of pods of this pod type. A single NETLAB_AE system can host up to 12 equipment pods, total.

Lab Topology

Lab Device Requirements

Lab devices are part of the topology and users can interact with them either directly through the console or network. LAN Switching Pod version includes one router (R1) and three switches (S1, S2 and S3). The following tables depict the recommended devices. The equipment listed is derived from the official Academy spreadsheet CCNAExplorationEquipmentList.xls (June 2007).

Please note: compatibility with NETLAB_AE does not guarantee compatibility with the Academy labs.

Router R1

Recommended Models	Ethernet Interfaces Required	Serial Port Module
Cisco 1841	2	not required
Cisco 2801	2	not required

Switches S1, S2 and S3

Recommended Switch Models	Description
WS-C2960-24 TTL	Catalyst 2960 24 10/100 + 2 1000BT LAN Base Image

Other devices options maybe can be used.

Router R1

Recommended Models	Ethernet Interfaces Required	Serial Port Module
Cisco 2621XM	2	not required
Cisco 17xx	router not supported

Switches S1, S2 and S3

Recommended Switch Models	Description
WS-C2950T-24	24 10/100 ports w/ 2 10/100/1000BASE-T ports, Enhanced Image

Router Interfaces

The NETLAB_AE interface name translation feature is supported on this pod type. This may influence the selection of modular interface cards and slot placement within the router. Please review the expected interface names for each router.

Virtual PC Support

Remote PCs are implemented by integrating with a separate VMware Server. The LAN Switching Pod version supports three (3) virtual machines. The NETLAB+ VMware Remote PC Guide contains general information for setting up a VMware server.

The following operating system choices are typical based on the curriculum. These choices are not mandatory; you can make substitutions provided that:

1. VMware GSX or VMware Server supports the operating system (as a guest).
2. Your choices are compatible with the curriculum.

Virtual Machine	Recommended O/S	Functions
Server	CCNA Discovery Server	Server
Host A	Windows XP	Student PC, client activities
Host B	Windows XP	Student PC, client activities
Host C	Windows XP	Student PC, client activities

The LSP can be used for CCNA Exploration and/or CCNA Discovery, the following table depicts which VMs should be installed for each curriculum:

Course(s)	Server	PC A	PC B	PC C
CCNA Exploration	Not needed	Recommended	Recommended	Recommended
CCNA Discovery	Recommended	Not needed	Recommended	Recommended
CCNA Discovery and Exploration	Recommended	Recommended	Recommended	Recommended

Control Device Requirements

NETLAB_AE control devices provide internal connectivity, console access, and managed power. Control devices are dynamically managed by NETLAB_AE and are not accessible or configurable by end users.

Control Device Resource	Quantity Required
Control Switch	5 Consecutive ports
Access Server	4 Lines
Switched Outlet Devices	4 Outlets

Control switch ports provide connectivity between devices in the pod. LAN Switching Pod version requires 5 consecutive ports on a control switch.

Access server lines provide console access to R1, S1, S2 and S3. LAN Switching Pod version requires 4 async ports on an access server.

Switched outlets provide managed electrical power, allowing NETLAB_AE and users to turn lab equipment on and off. LAN Switching Pod version requires 4 outlets on a switched outlet device.

For More Information

Please refer to the Planning and Installation Guide .