What is Cisco Packet Tracer ?
Cisco Packet Tracer 8.2 is a powerful network simulator for CCNATM and CCNPTM certification exam training allowing students to create networks with an almost unlimited number of devices and to experience troubleshooting without having to buy real CiscoTM routers or switches.
Cisco Packet Tracer features an array of simulated routing & switching protocols with STP, HSRP, RIP, OSPF, EIGRP, and BGP to the extent required by the current Cisco CCNA curriculum as well as application layer protocols (HTTP, DNS, …) to simulate network trafic .
It also includes Cisco IOS 15 with licence features, wireless capabilities with WLC and lightweight access point, security devices with ASA 5505 and 5506-X firewalls, and SDN controller
Packet Tracer 8.2.2 released !!
Update 06/04/2024 : A new Cisco Packet Tracer 8.2.2 version has been released for download on Netacad website. This is a bugfix release fixing several bugs on accessibility, usability, and security of Packet Tracer 8.2.
Packet Tracer 8.2.2 is a maintenance release of Packet Tracer 8.x serires which introduced a new SDN network controller as well as the API programming capabilities which can be accessed from the host PC using real world programming tools (curl, Python requests, VS code, ....)
Packet Tracer 8.x also introduced a new GUI apearence as well as a new Packet Tracer splash screen.
CCNA 7.0.2 is only supported from Cisco Packet Tracer 8.2 64-bits which is the minimum version for new activities and new PTSA to work properly. Packet Tracer 7.2.2 is not available for download anymore.
Download Cisco Packet Tracer 9.0.0 open beta
Cisco Packet Tracer 9.0.0 is created by Cisco SystemsTM and is freely downloadable for everyone on netacad.com .
Packet Tracer MD5 and SHA package checksums available on our download page.
Cisco Packet Tracer 9.0.0 open beta is available for free and unrestricted download on the Packet Tracer resource page on Cisco Networking AcademyTM website. Networking Academy registration is open to everyone and self-learners are now allowed to download Packet Tracer.
Cisco Packet Tracer 8.2.2 is still the stable version recommended for CCNA exam preparation.
Prepare 350-401 ENCOR exam with GNS3
Compared with Cisco Packet Tracer, GNS3 runs real IOS images and emulates all the features of real Cisco ISR routers, Cisco security devices, L4/L7 appliances, ...
From GNS3 installation through the creation of complex simulated netwoks, this guide to GNS3 will give you the know-how needed for Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (350-401 ENCOR) v1.1 and CCIE certifications exams :
- Install GNS3 on Windows, OS X, and Linux
- Build simulations using Cisco routers, layer 3 switches, and Virtual PCs
- Examine your simulated traffic with Wiresharks
- Include virtualized computers into your simulations
- Simulate Juniper and Vyatta routers
- Debug using the GNS3 command console
- [...]
Cisco Packet Tracer labs
Download free Cisco Packet Tracer 8.2.2 activity files (pka) designed by our team for CCNA and CCNP ENTERPRISE certification exams training.
Lab 2 : Configuring switch interfaces
Lab 3 : VLAN and VTP configuration
Lab 18 : ASA 5505 DMZ configuration
Lab 19 : ASA 5505 traffic inspection
Cisco Packet Tracer 8.2 ASA support
Cisco Packet Tracer 8.2 features Cisco ASA 5506-X firewall support. Firepower functionalities are not supported in this release.
ASA 5506 firewall security concept
Discover how to configure clientless SSL VPN on ASA 5505 firewall and to setup a DMZ using Cisco Packet Tracer 8.2 .
Connect Cisco Packet Tracer to real network
Cisco Packet Tracer 8.2.2 SDN Controller and API can be accessed from outside of Packet Tracer using the host web browser or programming tools. Default port is TCP/58000 (http[:]//localhost:58000).
External Access has to be enabled in Packet Tracer global preferences and in config tab of the SDN Controller.
GNS3 3.0.5 released !
GNS3 3.0.5 has been released on May 14, 2025. GNS3 3.0.0 is a major update of GNS3 with the following changes :
- Faster GNS3 server/controller
- Image manager to upload and manage images for Dynamips, Qemu and IOU
- New RBAC permission system with resource pools support
- Templates can be automatically created after images are uploaded
- Compression for importing/exporting projects
- UEFI boot mode option for Qemu VMs
- Deprecation of VMware and VirtualBox support
Packet Tracer 8.2 IoE features
In a rapidly growing IoE (Internet Of Everything) market, Cisco Packet Tracer 8.2 provides advanced IoE capabilities with the following devices and features:
- MCU and SBC IoT boards with wired and wireless connectivity
- New IoE service in server device and IOE home Gateway with centralized modular programming capabilities (javascript, python)
- IoX application deployment capabilities on ISR819HG-4G IOX router
- Several IoE activities such as an I2IoE "Home IoE Implementation" lab
Packet Tracer 8.2 also features real HTTP server and websocket capability to the SBC board which are reachable from a real web browser located outside of Packet Tracer.