As I blogged earlier, there are no online racks available yet for CCIEW-v2.0 blueprint (except fastlane racks for $196/day, which is beyond my affordable limit).
So I have set up my home lab to practice the technology as much as I can. I have been fortunate finding these equipment within my current company. We have recently replaced our 44xx/21xx controller with 5508s & therefore I have 3 WLCs(two 44xx & 1 2106) in my home lab (though it is not 5508 I can still run the version of codes in the blue print). Also got 2x1310G, 2x 1252, 1x 1142 & 1×3502 Access Points. Two 3750 switches (one with PoE) & 2960 (PoE) are acting as the core wired network infrastructure of my lab. Also I found Cyclades ACS terminal server which I can use to console in to each devices without much of trouble . This also help to open up multiple console sessions at the same time.(had to order some RJ45-RJ45 rollover cables from ebay to use this properly)
Dell Optiplex 760 (with 6 GB RAM) has been used as VM for hosting WCS, ACS, AD & DHCP. Being in a University environment I got the privilege to download Microsoft server 2008 R2 for my study purposes for free.(If you are student or staff with an email address provided by them you would be able to download latest software from Microsoft for learning purposes). You can get the details from the below URL.
https://www.dreamspark.com/Default.aspx
ACS 5.2 & WCS are running on the evaluation version (normally 90 days for ACS & 30 days for WCS)
As I am planning to use IPExpert & Fastlane training materials try to follow their lab topology diagram (here is fastlane topology diagram FL-CCIEW-Topology). My rack is very close to IPexpert Topology ( you can see my lab Network diagram here MRN-CCIEW-HomeLab-v2.0). So here how it looks like.
At this stage I have not configured CME (C3725) stuff as I am not yet ready to go for Voice over wireless topics.
mrn-cciew 
Hi,
Nice home lab.
How do you deal with WCS 30 day evaluation ?
Do you re-install it every month ?
I have not managed a way to get around this… I need to talk to our cisco account manager to ask for a license for my test set up. They have provided me a ACS5.2 license when I requested.
Hey =)
I was curious what version CME is on the Lab? I can’t seem to find anything online that mentions it. Also, I recently purchased a Cyclades ACS terminal server, and I was curious if you could maybe share your config. Having a little trouble configuring it but if not then that is ok. i’m sure i’ll get it regardless. thanks !!
Hi Machan,
I would not worry about CME version in the real lab as no configuration expect to be done on that device. In my home lab I think I have CME 4.2 since it is old 3725 router.
Regarding Cyclades, I have used older version (AlterPath-ACS32-Linux V_2.3.1). Not sure if this version config is similar to what you need. If you are after specific config I can send you some screenshot of my configs. Pls drop me an email with some details (rasika.nayanajith@yahoo.com)
Hi Nayarasi,
I hope every thing is going well with your CCIE Wireless prep.
As far as I know NAC (Network Admission Control) configuration is part of CCNP-Wireless (IAUWS) . I was wondering if NAC is part of CCIE wIreless or not. If yes how did you get on with NAC? Did you buy the appliance one?…I am studying for both CCNP-Wireless and CCIE Wireless. I would appreciate if you can share your experience.
Regards,
Mohammad
Hi Mohammad,
NAC is not part of CCIE wireless v2.0 blueprint.
HTH
Thanks for your reply.
But it is part of CCIE Wireless written exam. Isn’t it?
https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/docs/DOC-11620
Hi Mohammad,
I meant to say NAC is not part of LAB exam. Yes I saw it is listed in written blueprint, but nothing in LAB exam.
I would think ISE will be in next v3.0 release which will cover the scope of all these devices (NAC, ACS, etc)
HTH
Hello Nayarasi ,
I’ve ckecked your lab again and I see that CAT1 and CAT2 are multi-layer switches with a firewall feature. Is it to create a DMZ for WLC1 ? If yes, do you use ACL to simulate the DMZ ?
For ACS end MSE, is there an evaluation version or is it mandatory to have a license even for a lab environement to use them ?
Regards.
CAT1 & CAT2 simulate two core switches in our lab topology & L3 image required to features like multicast, etc. No DMZ functionality require in the lab.
Evaluation version is fine, but you have to re-install every time when license expired.
HTH
Rasika
what is the absolute minimum number of controllers you need to follow the fastlane or ipexpert lab. Looking at your drawing you have 4 controllers, but from your write up you only have 2 4400’s and a 2106. I want to build a lab that I can use, but I only have one 4404 controller. I just built a Dell optiplex 780 with vmware workstation to install a DC, DHCP server as well as ACS, and WCS.
You require min 3 WLC (two in HQ & one in BR setup). Try to get at least one 4400 & then you can use it as redundant WLC at HQ or BR time to time
HTH
Rasika
Do you have a Windows 2003 server running your WCS. I’ve created a 2008 r2 server to install AD, DHCP, DNS on. Having issues creating a server 2003 in my vmware workstation. It doesn’t recongnize the disk, so won’t install.
I think I used linux version
how can i convert my wifi password psk into passphrase
Did you see below post
https://mrncciew.com/2014/08/16/decrypt-wpa2-psk-using-wireshark/
HTH
Rasika