Cisco Lab w/ serial WAN WIC1T cards

I'm looking to expand my Cisco lab and design more production type networks in a lab environment. To do this, I will need to create a WAN topology where I can create RIP, RIPv2, EIGRP, and OSPF routing protocols.

Currently I have the following routers in the Cisco lab:

1 - Cisco 2610 series router
1 - Cisco 2620 series router
2 - Cisco 1720 series router

Only my 1720's have WIC1T cards installed with a DCE/DTE cable connecting them.

If I purchase 2 more WIC1T cards and install them in my 2600 series routers, how do I daisy chain the DCE/DTE cable to create a four wide WAN topology setup?

Would I configure one router for clocking(DCE end) and then daisy chain DTE cables to the other routers?


Cheers,

ZiPPy

If I understand you well, to connect the four routers ONLY via WAN cards, you need 4 more WIC-1T modules. Because the 2 routers at the middle of the chain would need 2 WIC-1Ts each.

Regrading DCE/DTE, as you know you just have to set the clock rate on each DCE side of each cable.

With the added WIC1Ts would this suffice in creating Frame Relay labs?

Would this topology be correct in regards to the DCE/DTE connectivity?

Cheers,

ZiPPy

With the added WIC1Ts would this suffice in creating Frame Relay labs?

Yes, but not in a chain topology. For Frame Relay you need to configure one of your routers to act as a Frame Relay switch. Then you will need to connect all other routers directly to this Frame Relay switch. Some thing like this:



Notice here that the center router (i.e Frame Relay switch) will need 3 WIC-1Ts while all others will need only one. This tutorial might help on the setup of the center router: www.thebryantadvantage.com/Frame%20Relay%20Switch.htm

By the way, if you don't have enough slots on the router, you could get a WIC-2T. It's a single module that has 2 serial interfaces, however the jack is different so you need different cables.

Would this topology be correct in regards to the DCE/DTE connectivity?

Yes, there is no problem here if you want to simply chain them without Frame Relay.

S0Lo,

I was just showing the DCE/DTE connectivity point, not a definite Frame Relay setup. But I can see how you would think it was, as I did asked a Frame Relay question.

To have more slots available, I would probably need a 3000 series or higher router, correct? I'm debating whether to purchase a new higher series to accommodate this Frame Relay lab, or to just purchase the WIC-2T card. I'll be sure to watch which cable I purchase.

I don't know if you have seen my other post about GNS3, but that issue is frustrating me. So I would like to heavily invest in a REAL Cisco lab. But nothing is better than the real thing!!


Cheers mate,

ZiPPy

Yes you could get a 3000 series router to install more interfaces, For instance, the 3640 has 4 NM slots (which means 8 WICs max), but I'm not 100% positive about wither they can support working as a frame relay switch or not. They probably can, but just make sure. You could also get a 2520 or 2522 which has built in serial interfaces and can work as a frame relay switch as far as I know. Try searching ebay for "frame relay switch". you'll quickly find several others that can do as well.