Possible Hypervisor Project (Next Year Maybe?)

After my Vyatta build, I've since had the bug to do another build. I have been planning a type 1 hypervisor build to integrate into my network lab as a server farm of sorts. This is a possible build later this year or early next year. Check out my minimum requirements. 

• Hypervisor Requirements
• VMWare Vsphere 
• Citrix XenServer (I believe this is free) 
• Virtual Machines/Server Farm
• Mixed Windows & Linux environment
• Physical/Case Requirements
• Rackmount
• 1U - 2U
• HDD/SSD Requirements
• 120-160GB SSD (Hypervisor OS)
• 2x 2TB HDD (VM Storage)
• CPU Requirements 
• 2x 8 Core (affordably, AMD Opteron)
• RAM Requirements
• 32 - 64GB 
• NIC Requirements
• 2x 1Gb 2port NIC (total 4) --- A single 4 port would be too expensive.
• VLAN QoS/Trunking Support 
• Intel --- Intel has the best Network Card features/support if you ask me. 
• PSU Requirements
• Redundancy
• 2x Server Power Supplies 

I believe that a NAS will probably be necessary as well for my datastore (images, backups, etc).

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

CCNA Achieved: What's Next?

Today marks a transition in my career. I was able to successfully pass the CCNA 640-802. As of 7/6/13, I am officially certified. This doesn't mean I'm going to get a 50% salary increase or every door in the job market is going to open for me but it does mean that I am officially recognized as a network professional now by the networking community, the job market, and most importantly; myself. It also means I have passed the entry level networking hurdle and I am now paving the roadway to the future of my career as an IT professional. In short it was a good day. My final score was a 947/1000, I WILL NOT go into any detail about the test for confidentiality purposes. Cisco has validated my official status as "Certified" as of 3:48pm. I'm now only waiting for my certificate. 

What's next? Next I take a much needed break from intense studying. I am definitely setting my sites on CCNP but I am also thinking of going after another CCNA in another discipline before tackling the CCNP track. Again, not for the certification, but to pick up a new skill-set along the way. Maybe CCNA Data Center? We'll see.