Hello everyone,
As I get deeper into networking, I’ve started piecing together a basic home lab to practice configurations and simulate different environments. Right now, I’m using tools like Cisco Packet Tracer and GNS3, but I’m also looking into physical setups with old routers/switches.
The goal is to really understand how protocols behave in live conditions — not just pass exams, but be able to troubleshoot confidently in real-world scenarios.
Anyone here built a home lab recently? I’d love to hear what tools, platforms, or devices you’ve found most helpful — or even what to avoid. Let’s share setups and ideas!
As I get deeper into networking, I’ve started piecing together a basic home lab to practice configurations and simulate different environments. Right now, I’m using tools like Cisco Packet Tracer and GNS3, but I’m also looking into physical setups with old routers/switches.
The goal is to really understand how protocols behave in live conditions — not just pass exams, but be able to troubleshoot confidently in real-world scenarios.
Anyone here built a home lab recently? I’d love to hear what tools, platforms, or devices you’ve found most helpful — or even what to avoid. Let’s share setups and ideas!