Buying guides
Read one of these before you buy. They cover checking a used switch or router from the listing photos to the first console session, licenses and software updates, noise and power at home, which Cisco switch to get for a CCNA lab, and a first router for routing practice. New to used gear? Start with how to check it.
How to check a used switch, router or firewall, from the listing photos to the first console session
What to check on used network gear: the part number, show version, reset and password recovery by maker, console cables, power, PoE, rack ears and optics.
Read the guide →Licenses and software updates on used network gear, and what transfers to you
What licenses come with used Cisco, Juniper, HP, Ubiquiti and MikroTik gear, what transfers to a new owner, and what end of support means for a home lab.
Read the guide →Quiet network gear for a home lab, with fanless models, noise figures and power draw
Which used switches, routers and firewalls are fanless, the maker noise figures that exist, power draw for each model, PoE, and where each one can live at home.
Read the guide →Which used Cisco switch to buy for CCNA practice
Catalyst 2960-24TT-L, 2960S-48LPS-L, 3560CG-8PC-S or 3750X-48P-S for a CCNA lab: feature sets, PoE, stacking and support dates, plus the ISR 2921 and ASA 5505.
Read the guide →Choosing a first used router for a home lab
EdgeRouter X or 4, MikroTik hEX, RB4011, CCR1009 or hAP ac², Juniper SRX300, SRX210 or SRX240, or a Cisco ISR 2921: what each runs, its ports, fans and support.
Read the guide →