Best Cisco 800 Series Routers to Prepare for CCNA Exam & CISCO IOS

"What is the best router for learning the Cisco IOS?", or "what is the best router to use to practice for your CCNA exam?", or even, "what is the best router to connect your home or small business to the Internet?” While there are certainly less expensive options that might try to fulfill all three of these needs. In fact, there is one clear answer- the Cisco 800 series routers! Here, we will take a look at what this router line can do and how it can fulfill all of these needs.

What are the basic advantages on Cisco 800 series routers? The Cisco 800 series router lineup is the least expensive and least performance router that Cisco puts their name on (in their current product line up that is).

Cisco 871W router looks like as follows:

Cisco 880 series router

Cisco 880 routers overview

What is the best router for learning the Cisco IOS?

If you want to learn the Cisco IOS are you going to choose a simulator or a router that can't run the latest IOS or the latest features? No, you want to use a router that has the latest and greatest IOS and, most likely, get it at the lowest cost possible.

· The 800 series routers run the Cisco IOS and have most of the latest and greatest features.

· The Cisco 800 series comes in at least 13 different models with varying versions of the IOS on each so take some time looking at the Cisco 800 series model comparison chart before you make up your mind which one to buy.

· There are 800 series routers that connect to all different types of WAN connections - Ethernet (such as to a cable model), ISDN, Serial (such as to a T1 circuit), and G.HDSL/ADSL directly.

· On the LAN side, the 800 series routers support 802.11 b/g wireless and your Ethernet LAN.

· Yes, the 800 series routers have a GUI interface (called the SDM, discussed below) but, candidly, if all you are going to configure the router with is the GUI interface then don't waste your money - buy a Linksys instead. The real power of the 800 series router is the Cisco IOS CLI.

· When it comes to security, Cisco 800 series routers support IPSEC VPN tunnels, VPN remote access, SSL VPN, Stateful firewall, and basic IPS (but make sure you get the right version of the IOS to go on your router - the IOS Advanced Security Image).

So, all in all, the Cisco 800 series router packs a powerful punch.

What is the best router to use to practice for your CCNA exam?

People who are preparing for the Cisco CCNA exam and hope to move on to the CCNP exams at some point need to get at least one router to practice their IOS configurations - both for the hands-on portion of the CCNA exam and just to become competent navigating the Cisco IOS.

cisco 880 routers specs

Cisco 800 may be the very right choice, because it can run the latest and greatest version of the IOS code. To run a version of the IOS that is even remotely current on a 2600, you will need to upgrade it to the maximum amount of Flash and RAM. To do this, you will spend at least $100-$200 on top of what you already paid for the 2600. In the case of the 2500, the latest version of the IOS that any 2500 series router can run is 12.3.x and even then it is only the IP PLUS IOS. To run the IP PLUS with IPSEC/VPN and FIREWALL, you have to go down to IOS version 12.2.

The CCNA exam really isn't that demanding when it comes to what the router needs but if you are going to buy a router to prep for the test, why not buy a router that you could actually use and has all the current features instead of one that.

What is the best router to use to connect your home or small business to the Internet?

While the Cisco 800 series are more complex to configure when compared to a Linksys home/small business router, there is a reason for that. The reason is the number of higher-end features that are offered. Still, the Cisco 800 does offer a decent graphical interface called SDM (deceivingly named, security device manager). 

As you can see, it is a GUI that is similar to a Linksys web-based interface. As the router can do a lot more than a Linksys router or SDM can do. However, unlike Linksys routers, not everything can be done in the GUI interface. Eventually, you will have to go to the IOS CLI and learn how to use it.

Cisco 800 series routers are the least expensive Cisco routers that run the full Cisco IOS. They also pack a ton of wireless, routing, and security features into a small package. While Cisco doesn't need my help to sell routers, I am recommending the 800 series Cisco router to those of you out there where it makes a good fit.

The original material is from: 

http://www.cisco1900router.com/which-is-the-best-router-for-preparing-ccna-exam-cisco-ios.html

Best choice for network security---Cisco ASA firewall

Without firewall, without network security for business

No matter for businesses or home networks systems, keeping network secure is a constant struggle in this modern world. You may be doubt at my conclusion, but the following reasons will tell you the reason:
1. Make sure anti-virus software is uploaded on every computer for third-party software such as Java, Adobe products and browsers are often gateways for malware.

Cisco ASA 5505, Cisco ASA 5510, Cisco ASA 5580

2. PCs, tablets, switches and routers all need to be constantly updated and monitored to guard against network threats. Using a remote monitoring and management (RMM) tool that includes the ability for both operating system and third-party patching makes this process easy for a solution provider to update all software on an endpoint. （Juniper’s Care Plus and Cisco’s Smart Care are two examples. Those initiatives help solution providers ensure their entire customer networks are healthy, offer access to vendor technical support and also provide reporting on a scheduled basis.）
3. Be sure to change the default administrative password on the new devices such as wireless router, which is typically "password." If possible, create a new administrative user id, and disable the default, which is typically "admin." Perform all administration and configuration tasks through the LAN cable interface.
4. Pay attention to data encryption. Choose the highest encryption level that your computing equipment can support, and choose a pass-phrase that is easy for you to remember but hard for outsiders to guess.

 Basic functions of firewalls

Firewalls primarily provide access control for connections between networks. Usually this will be the connection between a corporate network and the Internet.

Normally, the LAN is allowed to access the WAN and DMZ which is allowed to access the WAN on certain ports for certain services determined according to your security policies. Services not explicitly allowed are blocked. And the WAN is allowed to access the WAN and DMZ on certain ports for certain services. (For example a Mail server in the DMZ may be allowed to access a few DNS servers on port 53 only; also it would be allowed outgoing access to any SMTP server on port 25. Incoming access would be on POP3, port 110. )

functions of Cisco ASA 5500 firewall

A setup as described above provides

1) Excellent security from external threat

2) Control the connections that LAN pcs are allowed out to the WAN

3) Proper utilization of expensive bandwidth

4) Full speed access to internal and external resources

Advantages of Cisco ASA Firewalls

1. Cisco ASA is a new safe appliance firewall against malicious software.

2. Cisco ASA series are all 5500 series including 4 Enterprise versions: Firewall, IPS, Anti-X, and VPN; and there are business versions for those middle or small and medium-sized companies.

3. On the whole, Cisco ASA has 5 models, and they all use ASA .7.2.2 software.

4. ASA provides IPS (intrusion prevention system) and VPN concentrator; in fact, it can replace the 3 independent devices: Cisco PIX firewall, Cisco VPN 3000 series concentrator and Cisco IPS 4000 series sensor.

Buy Used Cisco Equipment or New Cisco Network Hardware?

It’s so magic to contact with friends all over the world. However, how our network works? Generally, it is usually composed of devices; take the leading supplier Cisco as example, including Cisco routers, switches,  Cisco ASA firewalls and even Cisco power supply and Cisco cables. All of these different types of networking hardware come with a price tag that can lead to quite an extensive expense. Some business owners prefer to buy new knowing their hardware will be guaranteed to work while others will buy used to save on the price.

However, you will discover yourself wondering why you bought Cisco used equipment instead of new network hardware after reading the following:

Cisco used equipment

1.When buying used Cisco hardware, you can generally save 50% off or more compared to new.

2.Network resellers often have better customer support so you can actually speak to a human being without being charged for it.

3.Most popular network resellers offer warranties that rival any manufacturer warranty.

4.A new Cisco device will become used as soon as you open the box. Therefore, you could have done some homework to find how many locations the Cisco device was used before it comes into your possession.

5.Not only on price, but the best network resellers test the equipment to ensure it works saving you a headache.

6.When buying used Cisco hardware, you are preventing the device from ever touching a landfill. Electronic devices contain harmful materials that are dangerous to wildlife and environment in general.

7.Your boss will praise you for saving the company money by using your brain.

8.Network equipment resellers will offer you other used networking hardware solutions to ensure your network receives the best choice on product.

9.When dealing with Cisco equipment, there is an exception to the "buying new" rule. GBICs can be purchased as compatible for the manufacturer's product at a less expensive price.

10.You can take the money you saved your company and give your employees a surprise bonus increasing moral.

The 10 reasons above of buying used Cisco hardware instead of new Cisco network equipment may let you no hesitate to choose used one. Also purchasing new Cisco equipment, such as some advanced Cisco routers, switches or Cisco modules, will be considered by some large enterprises because of higher networking requirement and better networking solutions and service. These can be easily received from buying new Cisco network hardware. So new or used Cisco, that depends on your networking need and requirements.