Description

XE Official Elite CCNA 200-301 Base Plus Kit - CCNA 200-301 v1.1 Primed and Ready

*Special Note - All of our kits are what we call "Primed and Ready" for the new minor CCNA 200-301 v1.1 Refresh coming on August 20, 2024. This means that the hardware recommendations and options are already optimized (there are no lab changes) and that the new small theory based additions/revisions are included! Once the new exam version is released, we will be working on an additional eBook that will cover the few new topics that are going to be added/revised and that will be digitally sent out to anyone who purchases a lab kit as soon as it is available. Please see our article here for the full breakdown of the minor exam refresh.

The XE Elite Series Kits are our top of the line lab kit options. With the 200-301 V7 CCNA exam, Cisco has made the 4000 series routers the new officially recommended devices. This kit comes with two 4331 routers running IOS XE. These actually exceed Cisco's standard 4221 router recommendation and will have you all set on a better than direct match to the exact routers the exam was written for and recommended for Cisco Networking Academy. These are the base license version of the 4331, which is an exact match to Cisco's recommendation. However, we do offer an option to upgrade one or both of your routers with the additional permanent security license if you want that extra capability. (more info info in the below description).

This kit meets Cisco's base requirement for a two router and two switch topology. While a 3 router and 3 switch setup is recommended by Cisco and we do always recommend a 3 router and 3 switch lab, (we write our labs for the full topology) you can certainly complete all of the labs using a 2 router and 2 switch setup.

For the switches, let’s talk about Cisco’s official recommendation of the 1000 series C1000-24T-4G-L switches. We thought long and hard about this and there is a bit to unpack here. First off, these are extremely expensive on the market right now and also highly unavailable. Why would Cisco make these their official recommendation? In short, the answer is for optics and because the main supply for them is to primarily buy the product directly from them, along with their dramatically expensive SmartNet contracts. More money for Cisco. As far as capability goes, other than adding gigabit ports to the recommended switch, the 1000 series doesn’t really provide any other benefits to lab purposes for the significant price increase that they require. So, we got to doing what we do best, and decided to get creative to provide a better alternative solution for our customers while also saving them a great deal of money. After much tinkering and research, we decided to offer the Cisco 3650 in place of these switches. The 3650 is a high end gigabit switch that runs IOS XE to match your 4331 series routers. The 1000 series switches are not on IOS, so they are a actually a step down. The 3650 is also a device that is well known for its reliability, proven in production environments and commonly deployed in live networks (You’ll see a lot of these in the field for quite some time). The best part about it is that, not only are you getting a switch with exceptional IOS XE capability, you’re matching IOS XE to your 4331 with your 3650 for considerably less money! So, everything in your lab will be running the same code.

*Please note that we screen our 3650 switches to be running a full and working IOS below where SmartNet is required. This works perfect for lab and learning purposes! However, if you choose to update the the IOS past 16.9.1, you will need to register SmartNet through Cisco.

This kit comes with (2) 3650 IOS XE Switches. So, you'll have layer 3 tech, gigabit ports and IOS XE across your entire topology! With everything in this kit, you can even explore using these devices in your home network if you get extra ambitious.

We have worked in partnership with Cisco NetAcad instructors and CCIEs to release our kits that are ready for the CCNA 200-301 exam. This time around, Cisco has released a couple topology options covering their minimum hardware topology/hardware requirements and their recommended requirements and the optimal learning experience. To satisfy the minimum requirement, Cisco is requiring two routers and two switches. However, our recommendation and Cisco’s recommendation is to run a three router and three switch lab. This is also the topology we write our lab workbook for because we know this is going to best prepare you to pass the CCNA! If you don’t want to go with a three router and three switch setup, don’t worry, you can still do all the labs by scaling back a two router and two switch kit. Cisco does have a small wireless component that will be part of the new exam, but this is simply a generic wireless router that you likely already have at home. We do however have an add-on option in this kit to add a Cisco Access Point and the labs to support it in our lab workbook if you want to go on a deeper dive into wireless.

CCNA is hotter and trending more than it ever has! Always remember that as the CCNA certification progresses, it proves more and more that you know your stuff! With this, so does the amount of money you can expect to make as a Cisco Certified Network Engineer! This is one of the fastest growing fields in the world and with that comes the rewards, if you have the drive! Passing the new CCNA demonstrates that you have the skills and know what it takes to advance quickly in the IT world. We promise you, scouts and HR representatives are hunting down qualified CCNAs more than ever before.

All of our CCNA 200-301 Kits will come with our awesome new, completely revised, CCNA 200-301 study material package!

-Our lab kits come with our famous and time proven CCNA Lab eWorkbook! Our labs have been proven to be the best on the market, producing thousands of certified individuals, over the course of over 24 years! The 200-301 Lab eWorkbook runs about 450 pages and is jam packed full of labs! Not only do we cover the entire, official 200-301 curriculum, we also go beyond that by fully covering topics otherwise listed only as "describe" so you can fully implement the concept and really understand how everything works. On top of that we included labs that will be very beneficial for your real world knowledge! Our study materials over prepare you to ensure your success! Don't just be a paper CCNA, be one that KNOWS what they are doing.

This lab eWorkbook comes in digital format on our awesome LockLizard reader. There is an option to pay a small up-charge to enable a single, one time printing right so you can print this off yourself. If you go this route, we highly recommend that you use a laser printer with adequate toner and have lots of paper on hand. It is a lot of pages.

-The CCNA 200-301 Bootcamp & Theory eBook is a completely revised, updated and power packed approach to the new Cisco CCNA 200-301 exam. This is a 864 page guide of easy to understand CCNA material written in a manner that won't bore you to sleep! It not only follows the format of the official Cisco CCNA 200-301 curriculum, but even goes further in explaining other key concepts that we feel are important to prepare you for the real networking world.

-Our How & Why We Subnet Workbook is a 120 page workbook designed to walk you through the theory of subnetting partnered with enough sample and practice scenarios to have you mastering this skill in no time. This has been newly revised and now includes a bonus IPv6 section! This even includes one time printing rights per copy so you can follow along on paper if you prefer.

-Our Tri-Fold Laminated CRAM Sheet and our TCP-IP poster. These are very similar to those "Cliff Notes" you may have used when you didn't want to read that novel for a book report. We cram these full of the important points so you can quick reference them daily or directly before your exam. Put the poster on your wall so it burns into your brain. Take the laminated tri-fold sheet with you on exam day to crunch down on essential topics while you are waiting to be called for your test! These have been a customer favorite for a long time.

-Our Cisco CCNA Routing & Switching 200-301 Training Disc includes all sorts of great study tools, the various software you will need, resources, mini videos, etc.

- Our new Question and Answer Practice Exam Bundle. Our CertificationKits CCNA 200-301 Practice Exams are a collection of 101 questions, answers and explanations (for the tough ones). This bundle comes with both Practice Exam A and Practice Exam B. They are a set of 101 questions, answers and explanation sets each. We thoroughly cover the full CCNA curriculum with the topics you can expect to see on exam day. We have a variety of questions from simple multiple choice, to a comparative version to drag and drop to simlets. These questions are so good and give you such a good feeling on what to expect, that if you can pass these practice exams, you'll know you are ready to go! Trust us, we have seen this test evolve over many, many revisions.

With this release as well as all of the other included eBooks, we even took things a step further by upgrading to our new awesome eBook reader through LockLizard. This is the same engine that Cisco actually uses to protect and distribute their corporate documents. This makes it extra cool because it is a format you will see in the field as a working network engineer. This new ebook reader works on multiple platforms such as PC, MAC, IOS, Android, etc. We include 2 activations with each purchase so you can install it on a desktop AND a mobile device, for example. On top of that you can highlight, make notes and work directly with your document. We know you will love it!

Please feel free to check out a demo selection from our new Bootcamp & Theory ebook and/or the Static Routing Sample Lab from our Lab eWorkbook:

1. Download and install the LockLizard viewer for your IOS and device type from this link: LockLizard Viewer

2. Download and install the License file for the eBook: License File

(If you don't see it open, the window for the license file may pop-up behind your active windows)

3, Download and open the .Pdc eBook file: Theory eBook File / CCNA Lab Workbook Sample Lab

The download and install is very straightforward and simple, but if you get stuck, please click here for a help guide on opening your eBook demo or official purchase. Upon purchase a unique license file and a .pdc file will be emailed to you,

Real hardware will always be the best solution to best prepare you for certification and career success! We can assure you that HR representatives will be thrilled to know that you have worked on real equipment and even have your own lab equipment! We are even finding that, “What does your home lab look like?” has become a common interview question as a way to weed out candidates that have never even touched real equipment. Simulators have spent a long time trying to mimic the real thing and after many years, they are still full of problems and capability issues. If you want to do things the right way, that will give you the best edge you can get on all fronts, real hardware is the best way to go. Remember, this is an investment in your future that will pay itself off quickly if you are dedicated. Networking remains one of the fastest growing career paths in the world and there is only room to grow!

Why would you spend hundreds of dollars or more on a lab kit if you don't get the labs that accompany your equipment? Other companies offer training packages, but they are generic or simply selling someone else's product that isn’t designed to work directly with your equipment. To ensure the highest quality, we invest an incredible amount of energy into providing CCNA training materials that are written by us and have been refined for over two decades. We are passionate about providing the best for our customers and love nothing more than when we get an email back from a customer with a snapshot of their EXAM PASSED certificate. Finally, we also include our TFTP Server, Subnet Calculator, 35 CCNA Instructional Videos and so much more.

We want to make a special note here that there is a field notice from Cisco on the 4000 series router in regards to a clocking bug. We ONLY sell 4000 series routers that are 100% cleared of this bug. Please do not be fooled by sellers that are misleading you by selling you a device with known issues!

Hardware Included:

Two 4331/K9 Base Licensed Routers. These Exceed and have more capability than the Cisco recommended 4221. IOS 16.09.04.SPA Capable
Two 3650 Gigabit IOS XE Switch Single AC
Five Ethernet Patch Cables
Five Ethernet Crossover Cables
Cisco Console Kit
Power Cords

Additional Items Include:

450 Page CCNA 200-301 Lab eWorkbook Covering 60+ Labs Plus Bonus Labs That Go Beyond the Scope of CCNA For Extra Real World Experience! ($57.99 value)
864 Page Bootcamp & Theory eBook that covers every 200-301 CCNA Topic Plus More! ($49.99 value)
How & Why We Subnet eWorkbook ($24.99 value)
Two Practice Exams. Both with 101 Questions, Answers and Explanations ($15.98 value)
CCNA CRAM Sheet ($14.99 value)
TCP/IP Study Poster ($9.99 value)
CertificationKits TFTP Server
CertificationKits Subnet Calculator
50 CCNA Instructional Videos
Cisco Network Assistant
Cisco Router Password Decryptor
Cisco VPN Client 5.0.04.0410
Port Scanner nmap-7.80
npcap-0.9987 & WinPcap 4.1.3
WireShark 1.10.05 & 3.2.1
TeraTerm & Putty Terminal Emulators
VritualBox 6.1.4
IOS Backup as noted above for the routers and switches
Cisco Configuration Professional (CCP) 2.8 for 1841/2800 Series Routers

The new 200-301 exam has removed the requirement for serial connections. This is awesome because that means you can get a lab even cheaper than ever before! However, we do still recommend that you add these on to your labs. Just because Cisco removed these from the exam does not mean that these have magically disappeared in the field. Serial connections can still be found everywhere and are especially still extremely common in international networks On top of that, Security, CCNP, etc still do have a requirement for serial connections and having experience with these only prepares you for moving up the certification tree and encountering these on the job.

As an added bonus, for a limited time, anyone who purchases any of the serial card and cable upgrades for their kit will also receive a free copy of our new 150+ page Beyond CCNA Serial Lab Workbook. ($29.99 Value) This will allow you to take your CCNA studies to the next level and get a strong grasp on serial technology. Since serial connections are part of CCNA Security and CCNP, this will also serve as a primer and introduction to topics you can expect to see on those certifications.

Optional xMFT-T1 Module Option Includes:

NIM-xMFT-T1 totalling 4 serial ports across two or four cards

Two WIC-Crossover Cable

Optional Smart Serial Cards & Cables Bundle Includes:

Four NIM-xT module/s totaling two smart serial ports across one or two cards

You will total four smart serial ports with the smart serial option

Two Smart to Smart Back to Back Serial Cables

***Why should you consider going with the Smart Serial Option over the 1DSU-T1 option***

The NIM-xMFT-T1 Modules are a great, budget friendly option for lab purposes and in this case a vey good pick because the smart serial option for the 4xxx series are a pricey upgrade. However, if your budget allows, we always recommend upgrading to the Smart Serial NIM Modules and Smart Serial-to-Smart Serial cables. Smart serial is a more current technology that offers a faster DCE/DTE connection that will also use the same clock rate command you will see when you see serial connections on Cisco exams. Once again, the T1 Serial cards will work just fine (there is a small work around that you will need to explore), but if you want to be the most up to date and want the clock rate commands to match identically like you would see when you are sitting an exam, the smart serial upgrade is an excellent choice.

The Add Permanent Security License For 4331 option allows you upgrade one or both of the included 4331 routers with the additional permanent security license. So, this would give you the base AND security license. The security license unlocks additional security features on your device that are unavailable with the base license. You do not need this license for CCNA level material, but if you are interested in getting into security content or CCNP, then these are recommended.

The Optional Wireless Access Point Option comes with an 1142 Wireless AP and the power brick for the unit. Once again, you do not need this to get through the wireless component of the 200-301 exam. However, this is a pretty cheap add-on that will give you an opportunity to expand your knowledge past the exam. There is nothing wrong with being a little over-prepared!

The Supplemental CCNA Training DVD is about 22+ hours of extra CCNA level training in a video format. Do you need this to pass your exam? Absolutely not because all the training your need is already included with your kit! This DVD does cover a lot of legacy material and is not entirely up to date, however it still has a great deal of very useful knowledge that every engineer should know and will run into on the job. We used to sell this DVD for a few hundred dollars, but have priced it super affordably for those who want to widen the scope of their curriculum. There is still a lot of overlap here with the current exam, so you will get a lot of topics covered that are on there, just not every topic.

The FTDI Console Cable Upgrade swaps out the classic console cable for this new solution to complete your console connection. This is our newest option for your console connection. This cable has the new FTDI chip installed and eliminates the need for both the classic console connection and the USB-Serial Adapter! It goes directly from USB to RJ-45! Another great bonus to this, from our testing, is that it has a near perfect success rate in the break sequence working! (used to reset the router, password recovery, etc). This is a big bonus because the converters can be a bit of a pain in that department. All around, this is an excellent addition to any techs tool box! *If you do not have a 9-Pin serial port on your computer (most modern computers do not) or a USB-to-Serial converter, you will need this to complete your console (management) connection. We highly recommend this.

The Access Server is purely a convenience tool and not a requirement for your exam. While these are common device types in data centers everywhere and a great thing to have knowledge of, they are not a requirement to pass your exam. However, if you don't want to physically move a cable every time you change devices, have an interest in remote access possibilities, or want to broaden you knowledge, an access server is a great device to have in your kit! All of our 2509 and 2511 access servers sold with kits also now come with the transceiver add-on so you can get the device on the LAN, perform upgrades/recovery and explore remote access capability. The new Access Server Conversion Kits options are composed of a 2811 256/64 router and HWIC-16A module. There are two options. One with (1) 8 connection octal and one with (2) 8 connection octals (16 connections).

For more info on access servers, please follow this link: https://www.certificationkits.com/what-is-an-access-server-or-terminal-server-in-my-ccent-ccna-lab/

You can see our Rack options in the slide carousel images above. We strive to create as much of a modular solution as possible. So, you can simply choose no rack and just stack your units on a desktop. If you already have a rack you can just purchase the rack mount kits for the devices so you can attach them. Then lastly, we have three rack options that you can see in the slides. All racks come bundled with the rack mounts when purchased with a kit!

This is a complete Cisco certification kit and much more than just the hardware to build a lab. Obviously we include the hardware you need, but we also include ALL of the study material you need to pass your exam in one kit. No other kit on the market offers such an in-depth solution that will have your prepared from every angle!

*Due to high demand, in some cases, XE kits may have a short lead time*

Please note that it is company policy not to alter the IOS of any internal flash device. We provide an IOS backup disc for educational purposes that will have backups of the IOS mentioned in the kit description. These are for educational training and recovery purposes only.