This webpage lists the equipment requirements for the Internet
Lab. We recommend to have one set of equipment ("rack") for every 15-20
students. The rack can be placed in a public computer lab (e.g., as
used for programming assignments).
Content
Overview of Equipment
The following two tables summarize the equipment needs for a single Internet Lab rack. More details are provided in the Section "Shopping List".
| Qty. | Equipment |
| 1 | 19” equipment rack with 3 shelves |
| 4 | Cisco Routers (Cisco 2514, 2611,
2611XM, 2621, 2621XM, 2811, 7000, or 7010) Required: IOS 12.0 or later |
| 4 | Ethernet Hubs |
| 4 | Linux PCs (Linux 2.4 or later) with 2 Ethernet NICs |
| 1 | keyboard, mouse, monitor |
| 1 | KVM switch |
| 1 | UPS unit (optional) |
| Qty. | Cables |
| 16 | Ethernet cables (CAT5, straight through wiring, RJ45 connectors) |
| 4 | crossover cables (CAT5 cables, crossover wiring, RJ45 connectors) |
| 4 | rollover cable (twisted pair, rollover/nullmodem wiring, RJ45 connectors) Used as console cable for Cisco routers. Included with new routers. |
| 2 | WAN serial cable for Cisco routers (WIC2/T Smart Serial DTE - DCE Male / Male Crossover) |
| 1 | Cable kit for KVM switch< |
Comments and Hints
- We recommend to provide one equipment rack for 15 students (2 racks for 30 students, 4 racks for 60 students).
- The book uses RedHat Linux 9.0. However, any Linux distribution with a 2.4 kernel or later should be fine.
- If a PC has an on-board Ethernet NIC, it is sufficient to purchase one additional NIC. However, we recommend to install two Ethernet NICs, and disable the on-board NIC.
- The book assumes that the PCs have floppy drives and a DB-9 serial port. Both are now uncommon. The floppy drive should be replaced by a USB Flash Drive (ThumbDrive).
- On our most recent installation (U. Toronto, 2007), we use a Live CD, where Linux is booted from a DVD. The advantage is that the file system or operating system cannot be corrupted. In fact, the hard drive is not used at all in our Live CD installation.
- The Cisco 2811 routers are the lowest-end Cisco routers suitable for the lab. Predecessor models of this router also work well: Cisco 2611XM, Cisco 2514. Any Cisco router with IOS 12.0 should be fine as long as it has 2 Ethernet interfaces and at least 1 serial interface.
- The lab uses different types of twisted pair. We strongly recommend to color code your cables, and use the same color for the same type of cable.
Price Estimates for a Rack ("Shopping List")
The following lists the pricing of a new rack with current equipment. The listed vendors and prices are not endorsements. We don't guarantee the accuracy of the provided data. Older shopping lists for 2600 series routers and 2500 series routers can be found here.
Rack with new Cisco 2811 RoutersApproximate cost US-$ 15,000 (updated in August 2007) |
||||
| Qty. | Equipment | Cost per unit (US-$) |
Total cost (US-$) |
Comments |
19'' Rack: Company: Milestek |
||||
| 1 | Milestek
19" Steel Rack (19"x72") Part #: 50-70377 |
~200.00 | ~200.00 | This is a very basic rack. |
| 1 |
Milestek
Rack Base Cantilever Support Base Part #: 50-70119 |
~100.00 | ~100.00 | |
| 3 | Milestek
Vented
Center-Mount Shelf 2 Rack Space Part #: 50-70121 |
~80.00 | ~240.00 | |
Cisco Routers: CDW |
||||
| 4 |
Cisco 2811 Integrated
Services Part# CISCO2811 |
~2,000.00 |
~8000.00 |
Predecessor
models of this router are also fine (2611XM, 2611,
2621, 2621XM, 2514). Any Cisco router with 2 Ethernet LAN ports and at least 1 WIC port is suitable. |
| 4 | 2
port
Serial WAN Interface Card Part# WIC-2T |
~550.00 | ~2000.00 | |
| PCs |
||||
| 4 | PC (min. 2 Ghz, 256 MB RAM,1 USB port | ~600.00 | ~2400.00 | |
| 8 | EZ
Card 10/100 Fast Ethernet PCI Network SMC1255TX/LP |
~20.00 | ~160.00 | |
| 1 | Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse | ~500.00 | ~500.00 | 17" or 19" monitor is fine. |
| KVM switch Cables to Go |
||||
| 1 | Cables
to Go TRULINK 4-Port VGA/USB and PS/2 KVM Switch with Cables Part #: 35555 |
~120.00 |
~120.00 | KVM switch for USB ports and VGA video. |
| Ethernet Hubs Netgear |
||||
| 4 | Netgear DS108 8 PORT 10/100 Mbps Dual Speed Hub | ~70.00 | ~280.00 | Simple
(non-buffered) Ethernet hubs are increasingly difficult to find. Buffered hubs or Ethernet switches will work for all but a few lab exercises. (see Note) |
| WAN serial cable for Cisco routers Pro-Link LLC |
||||
| 2 | 10
ft 26-pin to
26-pin Smart
Serial DTE - DCE M/M Crossover
cable Part #: CAB-SS-2626X-10 |
~70.00 | ~140.00 |
|
| Ethernet cables |
||||
| 16 | Straight Ethernet CAT5 Cable with RJ45 connectors (approx. 10ft) | ~10.00 | 160.00 | |
| 4 | Crossover Ethernet CAT5 Cable with RJ45 connectors (approx. 10ft) | ~10.00 | ~40.00 | The crossover and straight cables should have a different color |