Perhaps something like a Cisco 1720 would probably be ideal. Be good in a little lab environment, and should be able to get one cheap enough.

JimBob,

personally I'd agree with both suggestions so far. In terms of simulators the best of breed is Boson Netsim. I ordered the CCNA version as a complement to a Cisco Bootcamp and found it really useful (plus it stopped me breaking the live environment under the laws of snafu ). Only downside is that the versions can get costly depending on what functionality you are looking for.

I'm currently trying to evaluate GNS3, think I was introduced to it from a EH-net forum post but can't find the original (apologises to original poster). Looks promising, but you need to supply your own IOS images.

The hardware approach provides the most realistic (shockingly ) environment and allows for trying some activities that aren't available under simulators (for example hardware resets for password recovery or trying to figure out what is wrong with your MiniCom configuration). In terms of hardware the 1700 series devices are a nice, low-end place to start. Depending on your requirements and budgets I'd suggest taking a look at the Cisco 3750. As it has functionality at both layer 2 and layer 3, you can create some complicated logical setups using only one device, which can save cost and space when playing in a lab environment.

Hope this helps, let me know if you want some more pointers.
RR

To get into learning some of the basics, you can setup some in-computer virtual routers.  To learn more about that, go here: http://www.ipflow.utc.fr/index.php/Cisco_7200_Simulator .  You will need to get some images for that, but it can emulate more than just the 7200, it can do some of the smaller stuff as well.  That should let you setup some different links, play around with different routing, and all of that goodness.  You should be able to play around with cdp a little, and all of the basic good stuff.  It also will let you integrate with virtual pix devices and even your physical network if you desire.  If you want to try with the real thing, check out http://www.mindtechcom.com .  They were pretty inexpensive and I did my CCNA playing on that before I took the exam.  It worked out pretty well. 

HTH

I've never spotted a VMware appliance that runs IOS, is there one which provides an IOS emulator? I've not come across one so far...

Jimbob

my bad, my search-fu wasn't up to speed at the time

The instructor for my CEH training used a VMWare router for our hacking lab.  I assumed it was Cisco IOS but I didn't pay that close of attention.  I'm not sure where he got it from but I will double check the lab setup and post what I find out.   

How is it load-wise if you have several of them running?