Packet Tracer

Packet Tracer

Cisco Packet Tracer 5.0 in Windows 7
Developer(s)	Cisco Systems
Stable release	5.3.3
Preview release	6 beta
Development status	Active
Operating system	Linux and Microsoft Windows
Available in	English, Russian, German, Portuguese, Spanish and French
License	Proprietary
Website	www.cisco.com/web/learning/netacad/course_catalog/PacketTracer.html

Cisco Packet Tracer is a powerful network simulation program that allows students to experiment with network behavior and ask “what if” questions. As an integral part of the Networking Academy comprehensive learning experience, Packet Tracer provides simulation, visualization, authoring, assessment, and collaboration capabilities and facilitates the teaching and learning of complex technology concepts.

Packet Tracer features

The current version of Packet Tracer supports an array of simulated Application Layer protocols, as well as basic routing with RIP, OSPF, and EIGRP, to the extents required by the current CCNA curriculum. While Packet Tracer aims to provide a realistic simulation of functional networks, the application itself utilizes only a small number of features found within the actual hardware running a current Cisco IOS version. Thus, Packet Tracer is unsuitable for modeling production networks. With the introduction of version 5.3, several new features were added, including BGP. BGP is not part of the CCNA curriculum, but part of the CCNP curriculum.

Use in education

Packet Tracer is commonly used by Cisco Networking Academy students working towards Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification. 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.

See also

• Dynamips
• Network simulation
• Cisco Networking Academy

External links

• Official website