Cuatro Router Pod - Quick Reference Page

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

For installation details specific to NETLAB+ VE, please refer to the NETLAB+ VE Real Equipment Pod Management Guide

 

Lab Topology

The Cuatro Router Pod includes four (4) routers.

 

Cisco Standard Topology Configurations

To simplify equipment purchasing, we have organized equipment requirements by pod type. Since these requirements change over time, we further categorized as Configuration A, Configuration B, Configuration C, etc... Equipment lists for each configuration are provided below, with the most recent configuration listed first.

• Configurations are presented in descending alphabetical order. For example, Configuration D is the most recent configuration among A, B, C and D. Configuration A contains hardware from the earliest bundle supported by NETLAB+ VE.
• The latest configuration is typically recommended for new purchases. Your selection of courses and equipment budget should also be considered when choosing a configuration.
• Earlier configurations are supported for reference until the equipment no longer supports the requirements of the Cisco Networking Academy.

The table below indicates the labs supported for each of the Cisco courses, for each of the topology configurations.

 

CRP C - Cisco Standard Topology Configuration

NETLAB Versions: NETLAB+ VE, NETLAB AE/PE

Notes

1. Not supported by 1921, 1941, 2901, 2911 router.
2. Third-party cable type, certified and sold by Converge One. An alternative, using longer cables is CAB-SS-V35MT= (V.35 Cable, DTE Male to Smart Serial, 10 Feet) + CAB-SS-V35FC= (V.35 Cable, DCE Female to Smart Serial, 10 Feet) in place of each CAB-SS-26MTC-02 (All-in-One, Smart Serial to Smart Serial Cable, DTE/DCE, 2 Feet).

 

CRP B - Cisco Standard Topology Configuration

NETLAB Versions: NETLAB+ VE, NETLAB AE/PE

Notes

1. Not supported by ISR 4321 router.
2. Third-party cable type, certified and sold by Converge One. An alternative, using longer cables is CAB-SS-V35MT= (V.35 Cable, DTE Male to Smart Serial, 10 Feet) + CAB-SS-V35FC= (V.35 Cable, DCE Female to Smart Serial, 10 Feet) in place of each CAB-SS-26MTC-02 (All-in-One, Smart Serial to Smart Serial Cable, DTE/DCE, 2 Feet).

 

CRP A - Cisco Standard Topology Configuration

NETLAB Versions: NETLAB+ VE, NETLAB AE/PE

Notes

1. Not supported by ISR 4321 router.
2. Third-party cable type, certified and sold by Converge One. An alternative, using longer cables is CAB-SS-V35MT= (V.35 Cable, DTE Male to Smart Serial, 10 Feet) + CAB-SS-V35FC= (V.35 Cable, DCE Female to Smart Serial, 10 Feet) in place of each CAB-SS-26MTC-02 (All-in-One, Smart Serial to Smart Serial Cable, DTE/DCE, 2 Feet).

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.

Router R3 requires four (4) serial interfaces. Interface name translation is only supported on two of the four R3 serial interfaces. If you are deploying more than one Cuatro Router Pod, please use the same router model and module slots for each R3 router to avoid configuration loading problems between pods.

Serial interfaces may be built-in, or provided by modular interface cards such as the WIC-2T. 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 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 Cuatro Router Pod supports five (5) virtual machines.

¹See the planning and installation guide for detaiils

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 Cuatro Router Pod

The Cuatro Router Pod requires 8 consecutive ports on a control switch.

The Cuatro Router Pod requires 4 async ports on an access server.

The Cuatro Router Pod requires 4 outlets on a switched outlet device.

For More Information

• NETLAB+ VE Real Equipment Pod Management Guide
• Cuatro Router Pod Planning and Installation Guide