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 8.2.1 released !!
Update 09/03/2023 : A new Cisco Packet Tracer 8.2.1 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 8.2.1 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 with Packet Tracer 8.x. Students learning CCNA 7 should stay with Packet Tracer 72.2 which is still available for download.
Download Cisco Packet Tracer 8.2.1
Cisco Packet Tracer 8.2.1 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 8.2.1 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 7.4.0T has been released for download as a virtual machine for Cisco DevNet DEVASC students
Prepare 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 CCNP ENTERPRISE and CCIE certifications :
- 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 8.0.1 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 8.0.0 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.
Since Cisco Packet Tracer 5.3.3, it has been possible to connect Cisco Packet Tracer simulated environment to real world networks using PTBridge which is an external java application (PT533-Bridge-1.0.11.jar for Cisco Packet Tracer 5.3.3) working with the following components :
- Java JRE > 6
- WinPcap v4.1.2 (captures the packets)
- JnetPcap v1.3.0 (decodes the captured packets)
- Packet Tracer multiuser cloud configured on TCP 38000 port.
It translates Packet Tracer packets and protocols to real ones and allows real network interaction with Packet Tracer simulated environment. ASA features such as IPSEC VPN or SSL clientless will be tested soon. Wait for upcoming test results !
GNS3 3.0.0 Alpha 4 released !
GNS3 3.0.0 alpha 6 has been released on November 15, 2023. GNS3 3.0.0 will be the future major update of GNS3 with major changes including :
- 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
GNS 3.0.0 alpha 6 changes :
- Possible fix for stuck image upload.
- Fix timeout issue when creating Qemu disk image.
- Add ISO file to images filter in Image Manager.
- Update custom command help and protect against double quote in project name
- Refactor command variables support
- Pass os.environ in Popen()
- Add the ability to edit width and height in the style edit dialog.
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.