Introduction

Welcome to Cisco Packet Tracer.

Packet Tracer is a medium fidelity, network-capable, simulation-based learning environment for networking novices to design, configure, and troubleshoot computer networks at a CCNA-level of complexity. Packet Tracer is an integrated simulation, visualization, collaboration, and assessment environment. Packet Tracer supports student and instructor creation of simulations, visualizations, and animations of networking phenomena. Like any simulation, Packet Tracer relies on a simplified model of networking devices and protocols. Real computer networks, experienced both in-person/hands-on and remotely, remain the benchmark for understanding network behavior and developing networking skills. Packet Tracer was created to help address the Digital Divide in networking education, where many students and teachers lack access to equipment, bandwidth, and interactive modes of learning networking. We invite you to use the help files and tutorials to learn about the major features of the program, which include the items in the following table.

Item | Description
Protocols | LAN: Ethernet (including CSMA/CD*), 802.11 a/b/g/n wireless*, PPPOE Switching: VLANs, 802.1q, trunking, VTP, DTP, STP*, RSTP*, multilayer switching*, Etherchannel, LACP, PAgP TCP/IP: HTTP, HTTPS, DHCP, DHCPv6, Telnet, SSH, TFTP, DNS, TCP*, UDP, IPv4*, IPv6*, ICMP, ICMPv6, ARP, IPv6 ND, FTP, SMTP, POP3, VOIP(H.323)

Routing: static, default, RIPv1, RIPv2, EIGRP, single-area OSPF, multi-area OSPF, BGP, inter-VLAN routing, redistribution

Other: ACLs (standard, extended, and named), CDP, NAT (static, dynamic, inside/outside, and overload), NATv6

WAN: HDLC, SLARP, PPP*, and Frame Relay*

Security: IPsec, GRE, ISAKMP, NTP, AAA, RADIUS, TACACS, SNMP, SSH, SYSLOG, CBAC, Zone-based policy firewall, IPS

QoS: Layer 2 QoS, Layer 3 Diffserv QoS, FIFO Hardware queues, Priority Queuing, Custom Queuing, Weighted Fair Queuing, MQC, NBAR*

* indicates substantial modeling limitations imposed

Logical Workspace | Network topology creation Devices: generic, real, and modular with customizable images Routers, switches, hosts (Server, Desktop and Laptop), hubs, bridges, wireless access points, wireless routers, clouds, and DSL/cable modems Device interconnection through a variety of networking media

Multiuser remote networks

Physical Workspace | Hierarchy of device, wiring closet, building, city, and intercity views Structured cabling: create BendPoints and GroupPoints in cables and color code cables Ethernet cable length display and length limitation connectivity enforcement Images for devices now customizable and scalable

Loading and scaling of user-created graphics

Wireless association management

Realtime Mode | Realtime protocol updates Medium-fidelity Cisco IOS CLI configuration of routers and switches Menu based configuration of DHCP, DNS, HTTP, TFTP, Syslog, AAA, and NTP servers
Simulation Mode | Packet animation Global event list (packet sniffer) OSI Model, Detailed PDU, and Device Table Views User-defined multiple packet scenarios
Local Authoring and Sharing | Extensive file-saving options Multi-level Activity Wizard for authoring automatically scored practice activities and formative assessment Challenge Mode allowing users to make device algorithm decisions on packets Easily translated GUI Extensive textual and graphical annotation features

External Applications (ExApps) through Inter-Process Communication (IPC)