This quick reference page provides a summary of the specifications of this topology. For a complete reference including installation details, please refer to the LAN Switching Pod Planning and Installation Guide

 

Lab Topology

LSP

Lab Device Requirements

Lab devices are part of the topology and users can interact with them either directly through the console or network.

Hardware compatibility with NETLAB+ 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.

The LAN Switching Pod 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).

Other equipment may work if it is supported by NETLAB+ and can meet the minimum requirements for feature sets, interfaces, IOS, RAM, and Flash

All NETLAB+ topologies with lab switches and Virtual Machines require additional switch configuration tasks for successful operation. The LAN Switching Pod requires switch configuration commands on control switch ports S1, S2 and S3.

Router /
Switch
Recommended
Model(s)1
Ethernet Ports Serial Ports Recommended Serial Modules
R1 Cisco 1841
Cisco 2801
2 2 1 x WIC-2T
S1,S2,S3 WS-C2960-24 TTL
Catalyst 2960 24 10/100
+ 2 1000BT LAN Base Image

1Other routers and switches models may be used. Please consult your Cisco NetAcad support contact for more information.

Router Interfaces

The NETLAB+ 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 3rd party virtualization products. The NETLAB+ documentation library includes several guides with extensive detail on the implementation of virtualization with your NETLAB+ system.

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

  1. Your choice of NETLAB+ supported virtualization product supports the operating system (as a guest).
  2. Your choices are compatible with the curriculum.

Only virtual machines are supported on this topology. Standalone PCs are not supported.


The LAN Switching Pod supports three (3) virtual machines.
Virtual Machine Recommended
O/S
Functions VLAN Offset1
Server CCNA Discovery Server Server +0
Host A Windows XP Student PC, client activities +0
Host B Windows XP Student PC, client activities +3
Host C Windows XP Student PC, client activities +4

1See the planning and installation guide for detaiils

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

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

  • Control switches provide connectivity between devices in the pod.
  • Access server lines provide console connections to lab equipment.
  • Switched outlets provide managed electrical power, allowing NETLAB+ and users to turn lab equipment on and off.

Control Device Requirements for the LAN Switching Pod
Control Device Resource Quantity Required
Control Switch 5 Consecutive Ports
Access Server 4 Lines
Switched Outlet Devices 4 Outlets

The LAN Switching Pod requires 5 consecutive ports on a control switch.
LSP_CS
The LAN Switching Pod requires 4 async ports on an access server.
LSP_AS
The LAN Switching Pod requires 4 outlets on a switched outlet device.
LSP_SW

For More Information

Please refer to the LAN Switching Pod Planning and Installation Guide