This is a CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure Lab based on the equipment recommendations given by INE (Internetwork Expert) for the CCIE EI Lab Exam
It's built using a Quiet Dell T5600 Server w/ 128GB RAM (Max. RAM) + 1TB SSD Drive
The Dell T5600 is a Very Powerful Server with 2 x Octa-Core Processors (Xeon E5-2650 or higher).
Octa-Core Processors have 16 vCPU's. Therefore, this Server has a total of 32 vCPU's
Physical Server's Main Features:
- 2 x Octa-Core Processors (Xeon E5-2650 ==> 32 vCPU's)
- 4 x Gigabit Ethernet Interfaces - 128GB RAM (Max. RAM)
- 1TB SSD Drive - Dell H310 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 for the CCIE EI Lab:
These are the main VM's for the CCIE EI Lab:
- 1 x EVE-NG VM ver 2.0.3 (enabled to emulate a Viptela SD-WAN Network)
- 1 x CML-2 VM (License not included)
- 1 x Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) ver 2.6 with 90-Day Demo License
- 1 x Windows 2019 Server VM with 180-day Trial version
- 1 x Ubuntu Server ver 20.04.2 configured with NSO (Network Services Orchestrator)
- 4 x IOSv-L2 Virtual Switches built inside EVE-NG - 20 x CSR-1000v Virtual Routers built as independent VM's
CCIE EI Equipment Requirements:
The Cisco website provides a List of the Equipment & Software needed for the CCIE EI Lab Exam:
INE's Topology uses 20 x Virtual CSR1000v Routers with IOS XE 17.3.2 (SD-WAN compatible)
This 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
- CSR1000v Cloud Routers (SD-WAN version)
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:
- 20 x CSR1000v 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:
- CSR1000v Routers connected to Virtual Switches
- CSR1000v Routers connected to Physical Switches
- IOSv-L3 Routers connected to Virtual Switches
- IOSv-L3 Routers connected to Physical Switches
Of course you may also add extra Virtual Routers (CSR 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!
CML-2 is just an optional element of this Lab and there is no real need to buy a License for it!
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.
There are a few options for the Physical Switches. So please contact us for details.
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.
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.
