The lab exam requires a depth of understanding difficult to obtain without hands-on experience. Early in your preparation you should arrange access to the equipment and the Cisco IOS Software versions indicated below. Occasionally, you may see more recent Cisco IOS Software versions installed in the lab, but you will not be tested on the new features of a release, unless indicated in the list below.
- Cisco 3800 Series Integrated Services Routers (ISR)
- Cisco 1800 Series Integrated Services Routers (ISR)
- Cisco Catalyst 3560 Series Switches
- Cisco ASA 5500 Series Adaptive Security Appliances
- Cisco IPS Series 4200 Intrusion Prevention System sensors
- Cisco Secure Access Control Server for Windows
Note: The IPS sensor can be configured using CLI and managed through the IPS Device Manager.
Software Versions
- Cisco ISR Series running IOS Software Version 12.4T Advanced Enterprise Services feature set is used on all routers
- Cisco Catalyst 3560 Series Switches running Cisco IOS Software Release 12.2(44)SE or above
- Cisco ASA 5500 Series Adaptive Security Appliances OS Software Version 8.x
- Cisco IPS Software Release 6.1.x
- Cisco VPN Client Software for Windows, Release 5.x
- Cisco Secure ACS for Windows Version 4.1
