This is a Cisco CCIE EI Lab based on the respective Lab Exam requirements posted by Cisco.
It follows INE's Lab Topology (ine.com). However, it can be used to implement any Lab Topology!
It's built using a Dell R620 Server w/ 128GB RAM + 1TB SSD Drive with VMware ESXi 6.5
Dell R620's are very Powerful Servers with 2 x Ten-Core Processors (Xeon E5-2660 or equivalent).
Ten-Core Processors provide 20 vCPU's. Therefore, this Server has a total of 40 vCPU's
Physical Server's Main Features:
- 2 x Ten-Core Processors (Xeon E5-2660 ==> 40 vCPU's)
- 4 x Gigabit Ethernet Interfaces - 128GB RAM (Server supports up to 768GB!)
- 1TB SSD Drive - Dell SAS SATA RAID Controller - VMware ESXi 6.5 Enterprise Version (with Permanent License)
Note: A Monitor is not included. You'll need a Monitor + Keyboard to operate the Server
Main VM's on the CCIE EI Lab:
These are the main VM's for the CCIE EI Lab:
- 1 x EVE-NG ver 2.0.3 (needed to simulate a Viptela SD-WAN Network)
- 1 x CML-2 ver 2.5.1 (Latest version; License not included)
- 1 x Windows 2019 Server with 180-day Trial version
- 1 x Cisco ISE Server ver 3.0 (Identity Services Engine) with 90-Day Demo License - 1 x Ubuntu Server ver 20.04.2 configured with NSO (Network Services Orchestrator)
- 4 x IOSv-L2 Virtual Switches built inside EVE-NG - 10 x CAT8000v Virtual Routers built as independent VM's
CCIE EI Equipment Requirements:
The original List of the Equipment & Software for the CCIE EI Lab can be found at this URL:
But this version is not active yet. It will become active in September 2023.
Therefore, our Lab is still based on the original requirements which include:
Main Virtual Machines:
- Cisco CSR1000v (now replaced with CAT8000v) with IOS XE SD-WAN ver 16.12 - Cisco IOSv-L3 Routers w/ IOS Software ver 15.8 - Cisco IOSv-L2 Switches w/ IOS Software ver 15.2 - Cisco DNA Center version 1.3.1 (now replaced with version 2.3)
- Cisco SD-WAN Software (vManage, vBond, vSmart, vEdge) ver 18.4
Supporting Virtual Machines:
- Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)
- Ubuntu Server ver 18.04.5
- Windows Server
However, our Lab does include some of the requirements of the new CCIE EI Lab Exam (ver 1.1)
For instance, CSR1000v Routers have been replaced with 8000v Routers with a higher IOS version: IOS XE ver 17.9
And we now offer DNAC version 2.3.3.7 (latest version) instead of the original DNAC 1.3.1
But please notice that this item does not include a DNAC VM
The reason is that the Hardware Requirements to implement a DNAC VM are very high.
In other words, DNAC can't be installed on a Dell R620.
As minimum an R630 is needed to deploy a DNAC VM.
Therefore, we offer DNAC only as an upgrade option.
SD-WAN Routers:
INE's Lab Topology requires a minimum of 10 x Virtual Routers, although some Lab Exercises require up to 20 Routers. In order to make them SD-WAN capable, they were initially implemented with the CSR1000v Software with IOS XE ver 17.3.2
But because of the new Lab requirements, they have been replaced with CAT8000v Routers with IOS XE ver 17.9. These Routers are deployed in Autonomous Mode (AM).
AM mode means that they are loaded with a non-SD-WAN-ready version of the IOS XE Software.
But they can be converted to the SD-WAN-ready version, which is known as Controller-Mode.
To switch to Controller-Mode you can simply enter the command controller-mode enable,
which enables them to be managed by SD-WAN Controllers.
You can use these Routers either for standard Routing functions or for SD-WAN related tasks.
Virtual Switches vs Physical Switches:
INE's Lab Topology also requires 4 x LAN Switches, which can be either Virtual or Physical
Our Lab provides Virtual LAN Switches using the IOSv-L2 Software through the EVE-NG VM
Having Virtual IOSv-L2 Switches ready to go in the EVE-NG VM allows you to use this Lab it right away without having to buy Physical Switches!
However, please notice that Cisco recommends using Physical Switches because the IOSv-L2 Software doesn't provide some of the advanced functions needed for the Lab.
IOSv-L2 Switches are good enough to provide basic connectivity and some basic L2/L3 functions. And this should be enough to do most Lab Exercises.
But if you want to do more complex Lab Exercises that deal with more advanced Switching functions, then you may want consider getting 4 x Physical Switches
Physical Switches can be connected to the Server at any time and they can be easily combined with Virtual Routers. Please check out the Upgrades Section below for more details.
EVE-NG Virtual Machine:
The EVE-NG VM is perhaps the most important component of this Lab!
This VM provides full SD-WAN functionality. That is, it provides all the Network Nodes needed to emulate a Viptela SD-WAN Network
This includes SD-WAN Controllers (known as Control Plane components) and WAN Edge Nodes - vBond
- vSmart
- vManage
WAN Edge Nodes (known as Data/Forwarding Plane devices) can be implemented in 2 ways: - vEdge Cloud Routers
- IOS XE Virtual Routers (CSR1000v or CAT8000v)
In our EVE-NG VM you'll find a Fully Configured and ready to use Sample SD-WAN Network
This is done just to demonstrate the full SD-WAN functionality of our EVE-NG VM.
We provide all the Configuration Files that you can use to build your own SD-WAN Network
Combining Virtual Routers with Virtual or Physical Switches:
As mentioned before, the EVE-NG VM is also used to implement 4 x IOSv-L2 Switches
But in addition to these Switches, the EVE-NG VM also includes a set of 10 x IOSv Routers
That is, this Lab has 2 sets of Virtual Routers:
- 10 x IOS XE Routers (built as Independent VM's)
- 10 x IOSv-L3 Routers (built inside the EVE-NG VM)
So you could use either set of Virtual Routers, both of which can be connected to the set of Virtual Switches
And if you add Physical Switches to the Lab, the Routers could be connected to either set of Switches (Virtual or Physical)
So you'll have 4 potential combinations:
- IOS XE Routers (independent VM) connected to Virtual Switches
- IOS XE Routers (independent VM) connected to Physical Switches
- IOSv-L3 Routers (within EVE-NG) connected to Virtual Switches
- IOSv-L3 Routers (within EVE-NG) connected to Physical Switches
Of course you may also add extra Virtual Routers (IOS XE or IOSv) and extra IOSv Switches
Thus, this item provides a very flexible Lab environment with many configuration options!
CML-2 VM:
This Lab also includes a CML-2 VM because INE uses CML for many of their Lab Exercises.
CML-2 is a Licensed product sold directly by Cisco; its price for a 1-Year CML-2 License for $200
The VM included in this Lab doesn't have a License though.
However, you could use the EVE-NG VM instead of CML-2 for almost all Lab Exercises!
In other words, CML-2 could be considered just an optional element of this Lab.
However, you may want to enable this VM because the latest version of CML includes very powerful Virtual Devices like the CAT8000v and CAT9000v.
The new list of requirements of the CCIE EI Lab Exam (ver 1.1) does include CAT8000v Routers.
CAT9000v devices are not explicitly included in the new list of requirements, but since they come with IOS XE ver 17.9, they could be used as a substitute of physical 9300 Switches.
For that reason alone it's worth considering activating a CML-2 License.
Upgrade Options:
As mentioned before, you may add 4 x Physical Switches to this Lab.
This will allow you to work on some advanced features not available in the IOSv-L2 Software.
The new list of requirements include 9300 Switches. But these Switches are very expensive!
However, there are some cheaper alternatives like the Cisco 3650 or 3850 that could be used instead of 9300 Switches.
It is also possible to upgrade some of the Server's main features, such as RAM and SSD Drive.
For instance, our Dell Server comes with 128GB RAM, but this can upgraded to 256GB or 384GB
A RAM upgrade may be needed to simulate large SD-WAN Networks, which are RAM hungry!
The standard Drive capacity is 1TB, but it can be upgraded to 2TB SSD or even 4TB SSD.
And as mentioned before, we also offer the possibility of adding a DNA Center
However, this would require a different Hardware (R630 instead of R620)
configured either as a separate Server or a single Server with all VM's in it.
Please contact us for price and availability of these upgrade options.
Warranty:
Our Servers are fully tested and therefore they are guaranteed to work!
If you experience any problems, we'll replace it!
Therefore, you can buy with confidence from us.
Processing Time and Shipping:
Due to the complex nature of this item, we need 3-4 business days to prepare it (Software installation, configuration & testing)
Ground shipping fee applies to the Continental USA (lower 48 states) only.
Typical Transit time is 2-5 business days via FedEx Ground (it depends on where you live)
Therefore, this item may take up to 8 business days for delivery. Please take this into account.
Please ask for a shipping quote for Orders outside the Continental USA or International ones.
