“What is the best router to use to learn the Cisco IOS?”, or “what is the best router to use to practice for your CCNA exam?”, or even, “what is the best router to use to connect your home or small business to the Internet?” While there are certainly less expensive options that might try to fulfill all three of these needs. In fact, there is one clear answer. That is the Cisco 800 series routers. In this article, we will take a look at what this router line can do and how it can fulfill all of these needs.
What is the scoop on Cisco 800 series routers? The Cisco 800 series router lineup is the least expensive and least performance router that Cisco puts their name on (in their current product line up, that is).
Cisco 871W router looks like as follows:
Here is what you need to know:
- The 800 series routers run the Cisco IOS and have most of the latest and greatest features.
- The Cisco 800 series comes in at least 13 different models with varying versions of the IOS on each so take some time looking at the Cisco 800 series model comparison chart before you make up your mind which one to buy.
- There are 800 series routers that connect to all different types of WAN connections – Ethernet (such as to a cable model), ISDN, Serial (such as to a T1 circuit), and G.HDSL/ADSL directly.
- On the LAN side, the 800 series routers support 802.11 b/g wireless and your Ethernet LAN.
- Yes, the 800 series routers have a GUI interface (called the SDM, discussed below) but, candidly, if all you are going to configure the router with is the GUI interface then don’t waste your money – buy a Linksys instead. The real power of the 800 series router is the Cisco IOS CLI.
- When it comes to security, Cisco 800 series routers support IPSEC VPN tunnels, VPN remote access, SSL VPN, Stateful firewall, and basic IPS (but make sure you get the right version of the IOS to go on your router – the IOS Advanced Security Image).
So, all in all, the Cisco 800 series router packs a powerful punch.
What is the best router to use to practice for your CCNA exam?
People who are preparing for the Cisco CCNA exam and hope to move on to the CCNP exams at some point need to get at least one router to practice their IOS configurations – both for the hands-on portion of the CCNA exam and just to become competent navigating the Cisco IOS.
Cisco 800 may be the very right choice, because it can run the latest and greatest version of the IOS code. To run a version of the IOS that is even remotely current on a 2600, you will need to upgrade it to the maximum amount of Flash and RAM. To do this, you will spend at least $100-$200 on top of what you already paid for the 2600. In the case of the 2500, the latest version of the IOS that any 2500 series router can run is 12.3.x and even then it is only the IP PLUS IOS. To run the IP PLUS with IPSEC/VPN and FIREWALL, you have to go down to IOS version 12.2.
The CCNA exam really isn’t that demanding when it comes to what the router needs but if you are going to buy a router to prep for the test, why not buy a router that you could actually use and has all the current features instead of one that.
What is the best router to use to learn the Cisco IOS?
If you want to learn the Cisco IOS are you going to choose a simulator or a router that can’t run the latest IOS or the latest features? No, you want to use a router that has the latest and greatest IOS and, most likely, get it at the lowest cost possible.
What is the best router to use to connect your home or small business to the Internet?
While the Cisco 800 series are more complex to configure when compared to a Linksys home/small business router, there is a reason for that. The reason is the number of higher-end features that are offered. Still, the Cisco 800 does offer a decent graphical interface called SDM (deceivingly named, security device manager).
As you can see, it is a GUI that is similar to a Linksys web-based interface. As the router can do a lot more than a Linksys router can, so can SDM. However, unlike Linksys routers, not everything can be done in the GUI interface. Eventually, you will have to go to the IOS CLI and learn how to use it.
Cisco 800 series routers are the least expensive Cisco routers that run the full Cisco IOS. They also pack a ton of wireless, routing, and security features into a small package. While Cisco doesn’t need my help to sell routers, I am recommending the 800 series Cisco router to those of you out there where it makes a good fit.
More Related: Cisco 800 Series, a Big Family Containing Cisco 870, Cisco 880 and Cisco 890 Series
