Hi, Iḿ sort of a newbie (my first post. Iḿ using)using unity(Ubuntu 11.04) on pentium 5 desktop with 1 Gb ram.
Iḿ interested in becoming linux network administrator but can´t afford course fees so iḿ learning at home. I managed to get five Cisco routers(one 2600, three 2501, one 2514, and a Cisco 2900 switch. Also a D-Link 10/100 Fast Ehernet switch.
would any of this be useful in building a home lab for a Linux network?
Also does it matter which Linux distro I chose. Redhat seem to be be popular.
I have a Packard Bell imedia running Windows 7 with 3Gb ram and a much faster processor I can use this as a server or whatever role it can best play in the network.
Frankly, I don know which path to take as Iḿ still finding my way around. Please your help will be much appreciated.
Thank you for your time
Yours
Paul Mac

you've got yourself some nice Cisco hardware to play with. Even if a bit old. I hope you have all the documentation that goes with them.
Redhat is fine, used in many servers.
Ubuntu / Debian manage networks a bit differently, mostly different files, different syntax, different configuration tools.
But the network theory remains the same.
I suggest you get yourself some trendnet USB to RJ45 adapters to make your laptop have multiple network interfaces (will make your life easier to connect to those multiple networks and just costs about 20$).

Very good resources to read are:
http://www.linuxhomenetworking.com/w..._to_Networking
http://www.linuxhomenetworking.com/w...nux_Networking

1 members found this post helpful.

Really useful link those two websites and the info on the adaptor, highly appreciated
thanks buddy

You can also go for virtual box to have networking between different Os. Install Virtual box in the system where you have got more than 1 gb of RAM...
Enjoy Networking.. But best is to play with real tool as suggested by 16pide...