The Online Actos Blog

When you make the decision to put your own home lab together for your CCNA and CCNP studies (a very wise decision, if I may say so!), the hardest part is figuring out how to spend your budget. Do you spend it all on the routers and go with a cheaper 1900 switch, knowing that the 640-801 (CCNA), 640-821 (Intro), and 640-811 (ICND) exams now place a premium on knowing the ins and outs of a 2950 switch? Do you buy a frame relay switch? Do you buy an access server?

One factor to keep in mind when you’re starting to put your lab together is that you don’t have to put it all together at one time. With some careful planning, you’ve got a lab that you can use for your Intro studies, perhaps add a router or two for ICND study, and then some more devices for your CCNP study.

Of course, it also depends on your budget. If you’ve got upwards of $500 to spend, great! If you don’t, that’s okay. The key is that you’re going to work with the real deal instead of simulation programs. And remember that you can always sell the equipment when you’ve achieved your certification goals. You’re basically renting the equipment and then passing it on to another CCNA or CCNP candidate.

Let’s take a look at several different toplogies, from basic to more advanced.

One router. You’ll have to keep the configurations pretty basic, but getting started with one router is still a start. You can practice setting passwords (and password recovery, perhaps!) and become acquainted with the hardware. You can practice setting the hostname and working with many global configuration commands. There are obvious limitations, but the big plus here is that you’ve
gotten started working with real Cisco equipment.

Two routers. You can do more with two routers than you might think. Make sure the first two routers you buy have serial interfaces. You can then purchase a DTE/DCE cable and practice working with directly connected serial interfaces. This is a valuable skill to have on your Intro and ICND exams. You can put PPP on the direct connection and practice working with PAP and CHAP, not to mention the vital troubleshooting command debug ppp negotiation.

Two routers, one switch. Your first two routers should have serial and ethernet interfaces. You can connect your routers to the switch via their ethernet interface in addition to the aforementioned directly connected serial interfaces. You can create loopback interfaces on both routers and then practice advertising them via RIP, IGRP, EIGRP, and OSPF. If you can, make sure to get BRI interfaces on these first two routers as well. The cost of an ISDN simulator might prevent you from running ISDN at first, but plan for the future now.

It’s best to spring for a 2950 switch if it fits your budget. That switch has an IOS as opposed to the menu-driven 1900 switches, so the practice will come in handy on exam day. If you simply can’t afford it right now, a 1900 switch is certainly better than no switch at all!

Three routers, one switch. I would consider using the third router as a frame relay switch. If your first two routers each have two serial interfaces, as well as the third one, you can buy a couple of additional DTE/DCE cables and configure your own frame relay cloud. The config for a frame relay switch can be hard to find there is one on my website you’re welcome to.

Four routers, one switch. This setup would allow you to have three routers communicating via the frame relay cloud, two routers connecting through their directly connected serial interfaces, and at least two of the routers communicating through the switch. Quite a setup! I’ve got plenty of labs you can run on such a setup, and you could even create your own.

Five routers, one switch. At this point, you should consider an access server as your fifth router. An access server is a Cisco router with the capability to connect to up to eight other devices via an octal cable. Not just any Cisco router can serve as an access server, so make sure the one you buy for this purpose has the proper async port(s).

An access server prevents you from having to continually move the rollover cable into the console port of the router or switch you need to configure. Once you have one, you’ll wonder how you lived without it!

From this point on, you can add a second switch or an ISDN simulator. The second switch gives you the opportunity to practice influencing root bridge elections and configuring VTP an ISDN simulator will give you priceless practice with ISDN in your home lab. (Don’t confuse an ISDN simulator with a router simulator. An ISDN simulator basically acts as the phone company in your practice lab.) New ISDN simulators can run up to $2000 easily there are many used simulators on ebay and from used Cisco equipment vendors.)

I know exactly what you’re going through when you make the decision to build your own lab I’ve been there myself. I hope you’ve found this article helpful in making a decision on how to get started. If you have any questions about a network topology you’re considering building, please let me hear from you at chris@thebryantadvantage.com . I’m glad you’ve chose to put together you own CCNA and CCNP home lab, and I’ll be glad to help with any questions you may have.

To your success,

Chris Bryant

CCIE #12933

Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage (www.thebryantadvantage.com), home of free CCNA and CCNP tutorials, The Ultimate CCNA Study Package, and Ultimate CCNP Study Packages. Video courses and training, binary and subnetting help, and corporate training are also available.

For a FREE copy of his latest e-books, “How To Pass The CCNA” or “How To Pass The CCNP”, send a request to chris@thebryantadvantage.com today !

Anti-spyware is software that protects computer users from spyware and other unwanted software. Anti-spyware programs secure the computers against the effort of malicious spyware, to take partial control of, or intercept a computer’s operation without the user’s consent or knowledge.
Anti-spyware programs offer real time protection, and scanning and removal. Real time protection functions similar to real time anti-virus protection. That is, the program monitors all incoming data by scanning all the files that the user tries to download from the Internet, and blocks the activity of components that represent spyware. Real time protection also blocks any unauthorized attempts made to install startup programs or to change the browser settings. The scanning and removal features offered by most anti-spyware programs are simple. The program scans the contents of the operating system files, Windows registry, and installed programs and removes any entry or file which tallies with those in the already existing list of identified spyware components.
Anti-spyware programs also require a frequently updated database of latest spyware components. Whenever a new spyware is released, the anti-spyware developers discover and evaluate them, and create “definitions” or “signatures” which help the anti-spyware programs to identify and remove the spyware. Hence, it is highly recommended to update the anti-spyware program frequently to ensure protection.
Major anti-virus firms including McAfee, Symantec, and Sophos have added anti-spyware features to their existing anti-virus products.
Anti-spyware programs of recognized companies are usually not available for free use; occasionally the manufacturers allow a free trial, enabling only certain features. Very often they only provide free scanning; the actual removal of the spyware is possible only with a registered version of the product. Because fake anti-spyware programs that are actually spyware exist, one should not be put off by the price of legitimate software and the protection it offers.

Spyware provides detailed information on Spyware, Remove Spyware, Free Spyware, Anti Spyware and more. Spyware is affliated with Adware Spyware Removal Tool.

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Picture it. Your first home. Your dream home. The home that you, yourself, are going to construct. However, you find that you are in a bit of a financial bind. There is no need to fret; the funding for your new home is available through various new home construction lenders.

Although construction loans can be issued to both owners and builders, some lenders are a bit reluctant about lending to inexperienced builders. The loan sometimes includes the cost of the land on which the new home is built. In short, construction loans set up a line of credit that pays the suppliers and subcontractors while the home is being built, making them happy.

A new home construction loan is set up in stages, which are either monthly or in accordance with the building process. During the latter stages, the amount of funds used during the specific period of time is calculated and given to the lender so that the workers can be paid.

Before applying for a construction loan, you must be approved for a residential mortgage in order for construction to begin. Stated income construction loans provide funding to help you build your new home, and do not require verification of your income, whether you are having trouble verifying it, or you simply choose not to disclose that information to the lender. In turn however, the interest rates, and subsequently, the down payment, of stated income construction loans may be a bit higher than that of any other type of new home construction loans because there is more risk involved when the income is not verified. The advantage of this type of construction loan, besides the lack of need for verification, is that these loans tend to be approved at a much faster rate.

Gregrey Pashby is a writer and contributor for Bad Credit Lender who specialize in bad credit loans and hard money loans. Located in La Jolla, California, Bad Credit Lender provides competitive private California hard money loans, bad credit home loans, and bridge loans. In addition, Greg is one of the main contributors to the California Home Mortgage Loan web blog.

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Factors that Influence the Value of Collectible Coins

If you are interested in collecting coins, it’s important to be able to have a rough idea of how much coins are worth. Knowing how coin values are determined will enable you to find good deals, and ensure that you don’t get cheated into paying too much money for a coin with a low worth.

Supply Influences Coin Values
One major factor in determining coin values is the law of supply and demand. If there are many coins of a particular type available, that coin will not be worth much. On the other hand, if only a very few coins of that type are produced, the coin values will rise. This is why a completely normal-looking copper penny minted in 1943 is worth about $200,000, whereas a 2,000 year old Roman coin may be worth less than $100 - because thousands upon thousands of Roman coins were minted, but only 40 pennies produced during war-time 1943 were made out of copper.

Demand’s Effect on Coin Values
Even among coins with a similar number of copies in existence, some have a higher worth than others. This is because some coins are in higher demand, driving up the coin values. Coins may become popular because they are particularly lovely to look at, because they are part of a topical set that is often chosen by collectors, or because they have a certain historical significance.

Precious Metals and Coin Values
Some coins are made out of precious materials like gold bullion or platinum. These coin values are less volatile because the worth is guaranteed in part by the material. A gold bullion coin, for example, is usually worth more than its melted weight, but it is never going to be worth less.

Coin Values are Tempered by Grade or Classification
The final major factor in determining coin values is the grade or classification of the coin. The more wear and tear that a coin has undergone, the less value it is going to have. This is why uncirculated coins are usually more valuable than coins that have been passed from hand to hand. Uncirculated coins have always been kept in the very best of conditions, making their value much higher. A coin in flawless condition may be worth hundreds of times more than a low-grade version of the exact same coin.

Now that you understand the basic factors that influence coin values, you have a better grasp of which coins may have real value and which will be worthless. In order to get a ballpark estimate of the value of any coins you might have, you will first need to determine its grade or classification. You can do this by comparing your coin’s condition to a published list of guidelines. Then look up the value of a coin in that condition in a book such as “The Standard Catalog of World Coins,” which should be available in most public libraries. If you need to know the exact amount that your coin is worth, you should take it to a coin dealer and let him or her evaluate it for you.

Coins and Coin Collecting www.coinsandcoincollecting.com : your guide to getting the very best from your coin collection.

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Isn’t it great, when what is currently in fashion is also
comfortable and practical? Totes and hobo purses are this year’s
favorites. Find out how to select the best one for you.

A tote is an open-top bag that has straps or handles; you can
wear it over your shoulder or carry in your hand. A hobo bag is
a crescent-shaped bag that hangs from your shoulder. Both are
large, so you can fit a lot of stuff in them.

You can get totes and hobo bags in just about any color.
Bright-colored handbags are hot this year, but bear in mind
that, if you have a large, brightly colored bag, it will attract
attention. What I mean is that you don’t want your bag to
overpower your outfit or face. However, if you wear a plain
outfit in a classic color, like black, grey or white, you can
brighten it up with a green or orange purse.

The most purses and
handbags popular materials are luxurious leather,
leatherette, canvas, linen, tapestry and straw. Combinations of
leather and fabric also look very stylish, but are more
affordable than leather.

Hobo bags and totes also come with beautiful prints on them;
totes that feature celebrities are particularly popular, just
now. Animal lovers can get totes that have adorable pictures of
pups or kittens on them. You can even order a custom made tote
with a photo of your own pet - all you need is to provide a
photo of reasonable quality.

Most of us think of a tote as a casual bag for shopping, but you
can also get elegant, stylish varieties. If it is leather,
suede, or a leather-fabric combination, a tote can be a good
companion for a work outfit.

Most hobo bags are not expensive. If you do a little bit of
comparison shopping online, you will find fabric and
leather-like bags for under 50 dollars, and quality leather for
under a hundred. That is, of course, for non-designer bags - but
they are of good quality, all the same. If you are after Gucci,
Fendi or Prada totes and hobo purses, though, expect to pay a
few hundred dollars.

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