For those who are curious, what’s a good theoretical and practical approach? Where should we start learning about virtual network devices (routers, switches, etc.)? Should we stick to theory or is it more effective to practice in virtual environments like GNS3 or EVE-NG? What are the alternatives for those without real hardware? Share your own experiences and let’s discuss together.
How should one start learning about virtual network devices?
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Oh man, there's always this kind of confusion when it comes to networking topics. At first, I was also like, "Do I need real devices or virtual ones?" Honestly, I think the best approach is to mix both. Theoretically, you should first get a solid grasp of the OSI model, TCP/IP, routing protocols, etc. CCNA books or Udemy courses (I recommend Jeremy Cioara's) are a great starting point. Then, use GNS3 or EVE-NG to practice alongside. My first experience was with GNS3 using Cisco IOS images, and after torturing myself enough, a lot of things started making sense.
If you don’t have real devices, don’t worry—it’s not a big deal. Even Cisco Packet Tracer is awesome for beginners. When you reach an enterprise level, instead of buying expensive real devices, you can get used routers/switches—you can find them cheap on eBay. Exactly, I messed up a lot of things in the virtual lab first, which saved me the hassle of repeating the same mistakes in real-world scenarios. If you're serious about understanding networking, it's way more fun to dive into frustrating questions like "Where did this routing loop come from?" in a virtual environment 😎