Packet Tracer

Packet Tracer can be run on Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS. Apps for mobile operating systems like Android{{Cite web|title=Cisco Packet Tracer Mobile|date=2017-05-12|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.netacad.PacketTracerM&hl=en|publisher=Cisco Systems, Inc.|accessdate=2017-11-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115171523/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.netacad.PacketTracerM&hl=en|archive-date=2017-11-15|url-status=dead}} and iOS{{Cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/cisco-packet-tracer-mobile/id1015041980?mt=8|title=Cisco Packet Tracer Mobile on the App Store|website=App Store|language=en|access-date=2017-11-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115171642/https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/cisco-packet-tracer-mobile/id1015041980?mt=8|archive-date=2017-11-15|url-status=dead}} were also available. Packet Tracer allows users to create simulated network topologies by dragging and dropping routers, switches and various other types of network devices. A physical connection between devices is represented by a 'cable' item. Packet Tracer supports an array of simulated Application Layer protocols, as well as basic routing with RIP, OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, to the extents required by the current CCNA curriculum. As of version 5.3, Packet Tracer also supports the Border Gateway Protocol.{{cite web|url=http://www.cisco.com/web/offer/emea/7130/docs/PT5.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120914231610/https://www.cisco.com/web/offer/emea/7130/docs/PT5.pdf|title=Cisco Packet Tracer 5.3|accessdate=26 August 2018|archivedate=2012-09-14}}

In addition to simulating certain aspects of computer networks, Packet Tracer can also be used for collaboration. As of Packet Tracer 5.0, Packet Tracer supports a multi-user system that enables multiple users to connect multiple topologies together over a computer network.{{cite journal|url=http://journals.co-action.net/index.php/rlt/article/view/7777|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816061022/http://journals.co-action.net/index.php/rlt/article/view/7777|title=Development of a Simulated Internet for Education|author=Andrew Smith|journal=Research in Learning Technology|date=31 August 2011|archivedate=2017-08-16}} Packet Tracer also allows instructors to create activities that students have to complete.{{cn|date=February 2023}} Packet Tracer is often used in educational settings as a learning aid.{{cite web|url=https://www.education.umd.edu/EDMS/mislevy/CiscoPapers/DPs_for_Learning.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816021935/https://www.education.umd.edu/EDMS/mislevy/CiscoPapers/DPs_for_Learning.pdf|title=Simulation-Based Environment for a Community of Instructors: Design Patterns for Learning and Assessment|author=Dennis C. Frezzo|author2=John T. Behrens|author3=Robert J. Mislevy|archive-date=2017-08-16|accessdate=26 August 2018}}{{cite journal |last1=Zhang |first1=Yongbin |last2=Liang |first2=Ronghua |last3=Ma |first3=Huiling |title=Teaching Innovation in Computer Network Course for Undergraduate Students with Packet Tracer |journal=IERI Procedia |date=2012 |volume=2 |pages=504–510 |doi=10.1016/j.ieri.2012.06.124 |doi-access=free }} Cisco Systems claims that Packet Tracer is useful for network experimentation.{{cite web|url=http://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en_us/training-events/netacad/course_catalog/docs/Cisco_PacketTracer_DS.pdf|title=Cisco Packet Tracer|publisher=Cisco Networking Academy|accessdate=26 August 2018}}

Packet Tracer allows students to design complex and large networks, which is often not feasible with physical hardware, due to costs. Packet Tracer is commonly used by NetAcad students, since it is available to download after creating a free account.{{Cite web |title=Skills for All Resource Hub |url=https://www.netacad.com/resources/lab-downloads |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=Cisco Networking Academy |language=en}} However, due to functional limitations, it is intended by Cisco to be used only as a learning aid, not a replacement for Cisco routers and switches. The application itself only has a small number of features found within the actual hardware running a current Cisco IOS version. Thus, Packet Tracer is unsuitable for modelling production networks. It has a limited command set, meaning it is not possible to practice all of the IOS commands that might be required.{{cite conference |url=http://www.iaeng.org/publication/WCECS2010/WCECS2010_ppgdfhdfgh169-174.pdf |title=Using Visual Educational Tools for the Teaching and Learning of EIGRP |first1=Jesús |last1=Expósito |first2=Valentina |last2=Trujillo |first3=Eric |last3=Gamess |conference=Proceedings of the World Congress on Engineering and Computer Science 2010 Vol I|date=20–22 October 2010|accessdate=27 August 2018 |citeseerx=10.1.1.301.4894 |isbn=978-988-17012-0-6 }} Packet Tracer can be useful for understanding abstract networking concepts, such as the Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol by animating these elements in a visual form. Packet Tracer is also useful in education by providing additional components, including an authoring system, network protocol simulation and improving knowledge an assessment system.

In 2019, Cisco registered a new URI scheme with the IANA called "pttp". This protocol is used as part of Packet Tracer 7.2.2 capabilities to transmit data between Packet Tracer and Cisco's CSR routing platform.{{cite web |author1=Deng, Tony |author2=Hoang, Tuan |author3=Hinkle, Bob |author4=Chen, Mark |title=pttp Resource Identifier Scheme |url=https://www.iana.org/assignments/uri-schemes/prov/pttp |website=Internet Assigned Numbers Authority |access-date=24 May 2022 |language=English |date=24 June 2019}}{{cite web |title=What's new in Packet Tracer 7.2.2 ? |url=https://www.packettracernetwork.com/features/packettracer-722-newfeatures.html |website=Packet Tracer Network |access-date=24 May 2022 |language=en-gb}} As of mid-2022, little is known about this protocol or its functionality.{{cn|date=July 2022}}

• GNS3

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.netacad.com/portal/resources/packet-tracer}}
• [https://www.netacad.com/portal/news/s/S-packet-tracer-8-1-0 Packet Tracer 8.1.0]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160306140750/https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cisco-packet-tracer-mobile/id1015041980?mt=8 Packet Tracer 3.0 for Apple iOS 8 or above]
• [https://www.geekdashboard.com/cisco-packet-tracer-download/ Old versions of Cisco Packet Tracer - V7.1, v7.0, v6.3, v6.2]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20180806210856/http://iutsa.unice.fr/~frati/wireless_LP/TP/__TOOLS_2016/Cisco%20Packet%20Tracer%207.1%20FAQ.pdf Frequently asked questions about Cisco Packet Tracer]

Category:Cisco software

Category:Computer science education