Network Fundamentals Pod - Specifications and Requirements

Topology	Maximum per System¹	Supports...	Documentation...
	8	CCNA 4.0 Exploration 1	Planning and Installation Guide

¹ This value indicates the maximum number of pods of this pod type that can be hosted on a single NETLAB_AE system.

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. The Network Fundamentals Pod includes two (2) routers and one (1) switch. The table below shows the recommended routers based on the official CCNA 4.0 Exploration equipment list (available on Academy Connection). Other equipment may work if it is supported by NETLAB_AE and can meet the minimum requirements for feature sets, interfaces, IOS, RAM, and Flash.

Hardware compatibility with NETLAB_AE does not guarantee the compatibility of labs. Please check the Academy curriculum, NDG pod guides, and lab support pages for specific hardware and IOS requirements.

Device Name Recommended
Model Ethernet Ports Serial Ports Recommended
Serial Module

R1 Cisco 1841 1 1 1 x WIC-2A/S

R2 Cisco 1841 2* 1 1 x WIC-2A/S

S1 Cisco 2960 7 N/A N/A

* Some labs require two Ethernet ports.

Device Name	Recommended Model	Ethernet Ports	Serial Ports	Recommended Serial Module
R1	Cisco 1841	1	1	1 x WIC-2A/S
R2	Cisco 1841	2*	1	1 x WIC-2A/S
S1	Cisco 2960	7	N/A	N/A

The routers and switch you select must:

Be supported by NETLAB_AE.
Conform to NETLAB_AE router interface naming requirements (see below).
Meet the specifications for the lab exercises of the curriculums your Academy wishes to implement.

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.

Some lab exercises require two (2) FastEthernet interfaces on physical router R2 Please refer to section 1.3 in the planning guide for details.

Serial interfaces may be built-in, or provided by modular interface cards such as the WIC-2A/S. Serial connections between routers require the appropriate serial cables. You can use DTE and DCE cables back-to-back, or special cables that provide both DTE and DCE in one cable (available from SIGMAnet).

Virtual PC Support

Remote PCs are implemented by integrating with a separate VMware Server. The Network Fundamentals Pod supports seven (7) virtual machines. The NETLAB+ Remote PC Guide for VMware Implementation contains general information for setting up a VMware server.

Only VMware GSX or VMware Server virtual machines are supported. Standalone PC's are not supported.

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

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

The Network Fundamentals Pod is especially suitable for teaching CCNA 4.0 Exploration 1. This course uses pairs of virtual machines at the same time in order to complete certain labs. Therefore, it is required, at least Group 1 (PC1A-PC1B) and Group 2 (PC2A-PC2B). The Group number 3 (PC3A-PC3B) is optional and may be installed if the POD will be used for team or classroom activities.

Virtual Machine Recommended O/S Functions

Eagle Server Linux Server used for most of the CCNA 4.0 Exploration 1 Labs¹

PC1A - Group 1 Windows XP Student PC, client activities

PC1B - Group 1 Windows XP Student PC, client activities

PC2A - Group 2 Windows XP Student PC, client activities

PC2B - Group 2 Windows XP Student PC, client activities

PC3A - Group 3 (optional) Windows XP Student PC, client activities

PC3B - Group 3 (optional) Windows XP Student PC, client activities

¹Eagle server can be downloaded from Tools section of Academy Connection. Special installation instructions for installation on VMware Server are provided in Appendix A of the planning guide.

Virtual Machine	Recommended O/S	Functions
Eagle Server	Linux	Server used for most of the CCNA 4.0 Exploration 1 Labs¹
PC1A - Group 1	Windows XP	Student PC, client activities
PC1B - Group 1	Windows XP	Student PC, client activities
PC2A - Group 2	Windows XP	Student PC, client activities
PC2B - Group 2	Windows XP	Student PC, client activities
PC3A - Group 3 (optional)	Windows XP	Student PC, client activities
PC3B - Group 3 (optional)	Windows XP	Student PC, client activities

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 10 Consecutive ports

Access Server 3 Lines

Switched Outlet Devices 3 Outlets

Control Device Resource	Quantity Required
Control Switch	10 Consecutive ports
Access Server	3 Lines
Switched Outlet Devices	3 Outlets

Control switch ports provide connectivity between devices in the pod. The Network Fundamentals Pod requires 10 consecutive ports² on a control switch.

²Ports +8 and +9 (S1 E5/E6) are allocated even if the PCs from group 3 are not implemented. Therefore, we recommend cabling these ports to avoid accidentally using them for something else.

Access server lines provide console access to routers in the pod. The Network Fundamentals Pod requires 3 async ports on an access server.

Switched outlets provide managed electrical power, allowing NETLAB_AE and users to turn lab equipment on and off. The Network Fundamentals Pod requires 3 outlets on a switched outlet device.

For More Information

Please refer to the Network Fundamentals Pod Planning and Installation Guide