Packet Tracer
Encyclopedia
Packet Tracer is a Cisco router simulator that can be utilized in training and education, but also in research for simple computer network simulations
. The tool is created by Cisco Systems
and provided for free distribution to faculty, students, and alumni who are or have participated in the Cisco Networking Academy
. The purpose of Packet Tracer is to offer students and teachers a tool to learn the principles of networking as well as develop Cisco technology specific skills.
, as well as basic routing with RIP
, OSPF, and EIGRP, to the extent 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.
.
Network simulator
A network simulator is a piece of software or hardware that predicts the behavior of a network, without an actual network being present.-Uses of network simulators:Network simulators serve a variety of needs...
. The tool is created by Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in San Jose, California, United States, that designs and sells consumer electronics, networking, voice, and communications technology and services. Cisco has more than 70,000 employees and annual revenue of US$...
and provided for free distribution to faculty, students, and alumni who are or have participated in the Cisco Networking Academy
Cisco networking academy
Cisco Networking Academy, a global education initiative from Cisco Systems, offers networking programs, like the CCNA and CCNP courses, which prepare students for the certification exams of the same name, and other computer-related courses...
. The purpose of Packet Tracer is to offer students and teachers a tool to learn the principles of networking as well as develop Cisco technology specific skills.
Packet Tracer features
The current version of Packet Tracer supports an array of simulated Application Layer protocolsApplication layer
The Internet protocol suite and the Open Systems Interconnection model of computer networking each specify a group of protocols and methods identified by the name application layer....
, as well as basic routing with RIP
Routing Information Protocol
The Routing Information Protocol is a distance-vector routing protocol, which employs the hop count as a routing metric. RIP prevents routing loops by implementing a limit on the number of hops allowed in a path from the source to a destination. The maximum number of hops allowed for RIP is 15....
, OSPF, and EIGRP, to the extent required by the current CCNA
CCNA
CCNA is the certification from Cisco.CCNA certification is a second-level Cisco Career certification...
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
Cisco IOS
Cisco IOS is the software used on the vast majority of Cisco Systems routers and current Cisco network switches...
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 switchesNetwork switch
A network switch or switching hub is a computer networking device that connects network segments.The term commonly refers to a multi-port network bridge that processes and routes data at the data link layer of the OSI model...
.