Cuatro Switch 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 Switch 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 Switch Pod includes four (4) switches. The table below shows the recommended switches based on the official CCNP 5.0 equipment list (available on Academy Connection). 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 Cuatro Switch Pod requires switch configuration commands on control switch ports ALS1, ALS2, DLS1 and DLS2.

 

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.
• Currently, there is one configuration only, Configuration A, for the CSP.

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

 

CSP A - Cisco Standard Topology Configuration

NETLAB Versions: NETLAB+ VE, NETLAB AE/PE

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 Switch Pod supports four (4) 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 Switch Pod

The Cuatro Switch Pod requires 4 consecutive ports on a control switch.

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

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

For More Information

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