About beginner's labs

The summer is almost over and i became lazy. Given this i thought to do some changes and make myself some time to blow the dust off this blog.

It happened to me a few times to meet people who asked me about how i do my labs. So, i decided to share some of my learning experience in the following article, which i hope to be helpful for fellows who are just starting to learn about networking.

I remember back when i built my first lab, alot of networking concepts were new to me and i was so excited that i wanted to use everything that i knew about in that lab. Looking in hindsight i realise now that i was way off course about what a beginner’s lab should be about. If my present self could give an advice to me back then, it would be to practice one concept at a time, in simple labs, until i fully understand what is going on there. I think this would have speed up the learning process considerably.

The ideea of this article came to me after viewing on forums many new comers to the networking world posting large topologies with lots of end devices, but when breaking it down and looking at the actual networking equipments involved in that topology you can find some access switches and one, maybe two routers.

There is nothing really wrong with that and it is good that they practice in labs, this shows passion for what they are doing and it is a good thing. Either we are talking about Packet Tracer, GNS3 or real gear, all hands on practice is good when you begin studying. My point is that you can do this better. Every lab consumes time and you should make the most of that time instead of spending it on countless repetitive tasks.

Some of my biggest “A-ha!” moments came from labs with only two or three routers. Myself, i never open a Study Guide without also having opened a GNS3. Even if  i learn about one command i always want to see what it does when used on the equipment. And for that you don't need a ten router topology. Most of the times two or three will do just fine.

As the saying goes “How do we eat an elephant ? With many small bites.”