NETLAB+ may be used to facilitate access to lab equipment. Control devices are required in order to provide internal connectivity, console access, and managed power to lab devices. Control devices are dynamically managed by NETLAB+ and are not accessible or configurable by end users.
Lab devices and control devices are required in order to support Cisco Networking Academy lab content.
The control device models listed on this page have been tested and are recommended specifically for NETLAB+ VE. Other device models used for NETLAB+ AE/PE may also function. Please refer to the NETLAB+ AE & PE Control Devices page.
Control switches connect real lab equipment to NETLAB+ and virtual infrastructure. Control switches are not accessed by lab users.
The master control switch is a core switch that provides connectivity between lab equipment racks, the virtual machine infrastructure and the NETLAB+ VE virtual machine. The following table lists the Cisco switch models supported by NETLAB+ VE for use as a master control switch.
| Switch Model | Minimum Required Image | Ports | Uplinks | Max VLANs | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco WS-C2960+24TC-L | 12.2.25 | 24 | 2 | 250 | Recommended as master control switch in new installations. |
| Cisco WS-C2950T-24 | 12.1(22)EA2 (EI) | 24 | 2 | 250 | Recommended if already on-hand. "T" model with uplinks required. |
| Cisco WS-C3650-24-TS-E | 03.06.05.E | 24 | 4 | 1000 | OK as master control switch in large install (5-7 racks). |
Your NETLAB+ system will include one or more secondary control switches; the number of control switch ports needed depends on the type and number of standard racks you will be adding to your system. The following table shows the supported switch models and quantity required per standard rack.
| Switch Model | Minimum Required Image | Ports | Uplinks | # Per Rack | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco WS-C2960+48TC-L | 12.2.25 | 48 | 2 | 1 | Recommended for new installations in standard racks. “Plus” model and LAN Base image required. |
| Cisco WS-C2960+24TC-L | 12.2.25 | 24 | 2 | 2 | Recommended if already on-hand. |
| Cisco WS-C2950T-24 | 12.1(22)EA2 (EI) | 24 | 2 | 2 | OK if already on-hand. "T" model with uplinks required. |
Access servers provide console connections to lab equipment. Using this approach, users can access lab gear even when no configurations have been loaded in the lab devices. NETLAB+ proxies all connections through the access server. This special proxy allows simultaneous sharing of console ports and allows all users to access the lab environment using a single IP address and single remote access port.
When using a HWIC-16A on a router (2811, 2901, or 2911) with IOS 15, you must use version 15.1.4M4(MD), due to a Cisco bug. NDG has tested 15.1.4M4(MD) on all platforms. Please refer to the table and footnotes below.
| Router | Async Line Card(s) Qty X Type |
Cables Qty X Type |
|---|---|---|
| Cisco 4321ISR1,3 | 2 X NIM-16A | 4 X CAB-ASYNC-8 (10 foot) |
| Cisco 29013,4 | 2 X HWIC-16A | 4 X CAB-HD8-ASYNC (10 foot) |
| Cisco 28113,4,5 | 2 X HWIC-16A | 4 X CAB-HD8-ASYNC (10 foot) |
| Cisco 28013 | 2 X HWIC-16A | 4 X CAB-HD8-ASYNC (10 foot) |
| Cisco 26002 | 1 X NM-32A | 4 X CAB-OCTAL-ASYNC (10 foot) |
1 Recommended for new purchases.
2 End-of-sale.
3 Cuatro 2U rack only requires 3 octal cables per rack.
4 When using an HWIC-16A on a router (2901or 2811) with IOS 15, you must use an IOS version that has been tested by NDG, due to a Cisco bug. NDG has tested 15.1.4M4(MD) on all platforms.
5 For Cisco 2811 only: Using HWIC-16A on a router with IOS 12 does not exhibit the bug mentioned in the footnote above.
Power Distribution Units provide managed electrical power, allowing NETLAB+ and users to turn lab equipment on and off. The power of each managed device in a NETLAB+ equipment pod is connected to an American Power Conversion (APC) Switched Rack PDU. This provides three functions:
Each APC Switched Rack PDU provides eight (8) managed outlets. The following table lists the Power Distribution Units supported by NETLAB+ VE.
| Power Distribution Unit | Outlets | Voltage | Input (Plug) | Outlet (Receptacles) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APC AP79001,2 | 8 | 115 VAC | NEMA 5-15P | (8) NEMA 5-15R |
| APC AP79201,2 | 8 | 208-230 VAC | IEC-320 C14 | (8) IEC 320 C13 |
| APC AP92113 | 8 | 115 VAC | NEMA 5-15P | (8) NEMA 5-15R |
| APC AP92123 | 8 | 208-230 VAC | IEC-320 C14 | (8) IEC 320 C13 |
| APC AP79023 | 16 | 100-120 VAC | NEMA L5-30P | (16) NEMA 5-20R |
| APC AP79222,3 | 16 | 220-240 VAC | IEC 309 32A 2P+E | (16) IEC 320 C13 |
| APC AP79543 | 24 | 220-240 VAC | IEC 309 16A 2P+E | (21) IEC 320 C13 (3) IEC 320 C19 |
| CyberPower PDU410014 | 8 | 115 VAC | NEMA 5-15P | (8) NEMA 5-15R |
1 Recommended for new purchases.
2 AP79XXB Users: Please see configuration details specific to AP79XXB from APC on page 5.
3 Older version, end-of-sale.
4 Unsupported.
Control Switch
Access Server
Power Distribution Unit
