# Requesting a CCNP (350-401), (350-410), and CCIE (R&S) Home lab assistance and study guidelines
**URL:** https://forum.networklessons.com/t/requesting-a-ccnp-350-401-350-410-and-ccie-r-s-home-lab-assistance-and-study-guidelines/10986
**Category:** Building a Home Lab
**Created:** [April 29, 2020, 3:30pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/requesting-a-ccnp-350-401-350-410-and-ccie-r-s-home-lab-assistance-and-study-guidelines/10986 "2020-04-29T15:30:55Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Eyad](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/Eyad)
#### Post date: [April 29, 2020, 3:30pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/requesting-a-ccnp-350-401-350-410-and-ccie-r-s-home-lab-assistance-and-study-guidelines/10986/1 "2020-04-29T15:30:55Z")
Hi,
I am a new to this community, and I am hoping to find a good guidelines to accomplish my goals.
My goals are to pass the new CCNP (R&S) as well as the new CCIE (R&S) exams.
What would be the recommended home lab for those two exams? Please be specific and include the IOS version.
Also, I can dedicate about two hours daily to study, however, what would be the best approach to NOT forget what you have learned since you are studying a new material daily and slowly?
For example if you learned EIGRP within like a three weeks, and then you moved on to the next topic (for example OSPF), and it took you for example five weeks to learn it. How you are still remembering the details for EIGRP? Also how about six months later after you have learned more about BGP, Wireless, SD-WAN, automation … etc. How you are going to keep this huge info in your memory if you are only studying two hour daily. I really need your help/ guidelines to accomplish my goals.
Your help is greatly appreciated!
---
### Author:  [@lagapidis](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/lagapidis)
#### Post date: [May 1, 2020, 6:28am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/requesting-a-ccnp-350-401-350-410-and-ccie-r-s-home-lab-assistance-and-study-guidelines/10986/2 "2020-05-01T06:28:59Z")
Hello Eyad and welcome!
> [@Eyad](#):
>
> My goals are to pass the new CCNP (R&S) as well as the new CCIE (R&S) exams.
I wish you success in achieving these goals. We’re here to help you along the way, so if you have any questions, you know where to find us.
> [@Eyad](#):
>
> What would be the recommended home lab for those two exams? Please be specific and include the IOS version.
Rene is in the process of updating the information on the forum concerning lab setups. In the meantime, you can take a look at the following two posts that will guide you in the right direction.
> [@Cisco CCNP Switch Lab Equipment](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/cisco-ccnp-switch-lab-equipment/1224/28):
>
> Hello Mohit Rene will soon have a lesson with various recommendations for lab equipment. However, until then, I can tell you that GNS3, VIRL, as well as EVE-NG can cover most of the requirements for these courses. This does not include the wireless content however. For wireless, you can cover most of it using [packet tracer](https://www.packettracernetwork.com/tutorials/pt71-wlc-configuration.html). If you can get your own equipment, it doesn’t hurt, because you get the full experience, which is beneficial for work experience too. But it is not strictly necessary f…
> [@CCIE R&S Lab Equipment](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/ccie-r-s-lab-equipment/1128/43):
>
> Hi Robert, Once I have a list, I’ll make sure it’s easy to find. The R&S part is no problem with the CSR 1000v, IOSv, and IOSv2-L2 images. If you study on your own, I would create two topologies. You could do this in VIRL. A topology with 4 switches, two links between every switch. Connect 1-2 routers to each switch that you can use as a host. A topology with 8-10 routers, something like this: Pre-configure these routers with IP addresses and multiple loopback interfaces. Yo…
As for IOS versions, there’s no clear cut answer, as the exams don’t focus on particular versions of IOS. However, if you’re using 15.X IOS, then you’re just fine, regardless of the particular version.
As for studying, the following two posts will help you and will most likely answer most of your (excellent) questions:
> **[How to study Cisco and Networking](https://networklessons.com/miscellaneous/how-to-study-cisco-and-networking)**
>
> This lesson explains some practices such as good note-taking to study Cisco and networking. These are helpful tips for beginners.
> **[How to study for Cisco CCNA](https://networklessons.com/cisco/ccna-200-301/how-to-study-for-cisco-ccna)**
>
> This post explains what steps to take if you want to become CCNA R&S certified. You need to study theory, do labs, try a practice exam, etc.
If you need any further clarification, please feel free to let us know!
I hope this has been helpful!
Laz
---
### Author:  [@Eyad](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/Eyad)
#### Post date: [May 1, 2020, 3:24pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/requesting-a-ccnp-350-401-350-410-and-ccie-r-s-home-lab-assistance-and-study-guidelines/10986/3 "2020-05-01T15:24:55Z")
Laz,
Thank you very much for your valued input. That was very helpful. I just started my journey. I will let you if I encounter an issue or question. Thanks again!