Kat,
Are you aware of the gns3 app (Graphical Network Simulator, v3) which emulates/simulates a network of Cisco devices? I've also heard of a Cisco 7200/7600 VM that runs on i386 hardware.

For the first one: http://www.gns3.net/
And the second: http://www.ipflow.utc.fr/index.php/Cisco_7200_Simulator

They both appear to use the same underlying technology, I haven't actually tried either of them yet.

I'm sure there are a few people on this list who'd be be willing to provide the necessary IOS images, privately.
(i.e. DON'T just hit reply! It's still technically piracy, even for Cisco students!)

I might be able to get my hands on some old Cisco switches... not sure if they've already gone to the great static bag in the sky or not...

-Adam

On Wed, 2010-08-04 at 09:28 -0500, Kat wrote:

I'm interested in two of the cisco 2500 routers, if you're willing to let two go to one person. I'll be writing my CCNA in September and won't have equipment to play with after mid-August.

Unless someone will let me play with their Cisco equipment at work :)

Now to find a couple old Cisco switches...