Current Projects (7/17/13)

This week I've been on vacation and decided to take on a couple of home/lab projects before me and my wife make the 8 hour drive to our chosen vacation destination this year; Myrtle Beach, SC. Check out them out.

• Upgraded laptop from Ubuntu 12.04 to Ubuntu 13.04 (3-4hrs)
• It is mandatory to do it sequentially (12.04 to 12.10 then 13.04)
• The only exception is from LTS(long-term support) release to LTS
• First major Linux OS upgrade; surprisingly automated and smooth
• Decided Career Path
• After some professional advice, I have to decided to pursue CCNP R&S next
• I have been told it's best to solidify my current skill set, then go for another.
• New Equipment/Wish List (Below should satisfy my personal lab requirements)
• 1x Cisco 2821 (final)
• 3x Cisco 3750 (to complete LAN/WAN setup)
• 2x Cisco ASA5505 (for security/firewall practice)
• Vyatta based firewall
• TACACS+ Server -- Open Source Maybe?
• vSphere or XenServer
• Juniper router/firewall (just to mix things up). SRX100 or SRX110 (one or the other) maybe? I hear there is a STEEP learning curve to Juniper(JunOS), so it isn't to be taken lightly.
• Either way, I figure this will help me strengthen my weaknesses with firewalls, firewall policies, and ACLs. 
• I hope to simulate Cisco and mixed site-to-site VPNs. 

Cisco ASA 5505

Juniper SRX110

Juniper SRX100