![is boson netsim 11 for ccnp network simulator worth is boson netsim 11 for ccnp network simulator worth](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4A26XHbyJRY/SiwZfC_C30I/AAAAAAAAA60/Dbmo9tQKTH0/s512/sshot-7.jpg)
- #Is boson netsim 11 for ccnp network simulator worth install
- #Is boson netsim 11 for ccnp network simulator worth portable
The PEMU support in GNS3 (for PIX/ASA emulation) does make it tempting for portable use when I don't want to VPN home to try something on a real hardware PIX or ASA device.
#Is boson netsim 11 for ccnp network simulator worth install
Since the current GNS3 install doesn't mess up an existing Dynagen/Dynamips install, I do have it loaded on one of my laptops - but I'm still not impressed enough to give up my notepad created. Once you know what you're doing with real Cisco Hardware, then using Dynamips/Dynagen with real Cisco Switches and a couple real Cisco Routers is a fine way to save money building a nice CCNP/CCIE Lab (and even parts of a CCVP & CCSP lab). I do think Dynamips/Dynagen is great for the BSCI, BGP, and MPLS exams where you might want to run scenarios with a larger number of routers then you bought for CCNA studies. But since the CCNA covers routing AND SWITCHING and Dynamips has poor switching support, I don't get why people rave about for the CCNA. But since Dynamips is emulating a MIPs processor and running a real IOS image, you need access to a supported image (which violates the Cisco Software License). Some people rave about GNS3 - which is a memory/performance sucking graphical version of Dynagen (which works with Dynamips). But you can build a good home Cisco Lab with real hardware for just a little more than the simulator cost - plus the real hardware keeps working after a year or two (Boson when to a subscription model, right?). If you learn the CCNA stuff well, you can think of finding the software bugs trying to lab up some of the popular book exercises as proof that you've truly learned the CCNA material. But you hit the software bugs when you try things that aren't part of their scripted labs. But, if you've already gone to the trouble of setting up GNS3, I'd probably just go ahead and use that. Although, the (old) CCNA has not changed much in the last few years, so that's really not much of a knock. And it's definitely better than nothing for 3rd World Network Academies that don't have the proper hardware available for all their students.īoson - the real product, not the lobotomized demo - does at least cover most (if not all) of the important stuff you need to learn for the CCNA. 'I'm aware a lot of free material is often old or incomplete.' This applies equally to Boson Netsim 8.0. It is a great tool for Academy Instructors to give their students homework assignments. It's fine for a bunch of the ICND1 stuff. I'm a Cisco Network Academy Alumni and have the latest Packet Tracer - and it doesn't even do all the things you need to learn for the CCNA.