Data Sheet

Packet Tracer v4.1: Network Simulation SoftwareCisco Networking AcademyWe live in an increasingly connected world, creating a global economy and a growing need for technical skills. Cisco Networking Academy delivers information technology skills to over 500,000 students a year in more than 165 countries world-wide. Networking Academy students have the opportunity to participate in a powerful and consistent learning experience that is supported by high quality, online curricula and assessments, instructor training, hands-on labs, and classroom interaction. This experience ensures the same level of qualifications and skills regardless of where in the world a student is located.

Networking Academy students will become the architects of the networked economy; enabling everyday experiences on the global human network. With the ever-increasing demand for their skills, Networking Academy students have the chance to dream about business-critical positions never before imagined, in industries ranging from medicine and finance to entertainment and aerospace. Networking Academy opens doors to rewarding

careers and opportunities for economic advancement and local community development. Students only need to be ‘Mind Wide Open’ to the possibilities.

The Packet Tracer SolutionPacket Tracer is a self-paced, visual, interactive teaching and learning tool. It is designed to increase interaction between students and instructors, promote student learning, and enhance instructor presentations.

Lab activities are an important part of networking education. However, lab equipment can be a scarce resource. Packet Tracer provides a visual simulation of equipment and network processes to offset the challenge of limited equipment. Students can spend as much time as they like completing standard lab exercises through Packet Tracer, and have the option to work from home.

Although other simulation products for Cisco equipment are available, they do not include the unique visualization features of Packet Tracer. This technology is a new and fun way to expand teaching and learning experiences beyond the limitations of the traditional lab environment. Packet Tracer helps resolve some common challenges that instructors face on a daily basis, while enabling us to explore new frontiers in networking education.

The Teaching ExperiencePacket Tracer provides multiple opportunities for instructors to demonstrate networking concepts. Although Packet Tracer is not a substitute for real equipment, it allows students to practice using a command line interface. This “e-doing” capability is a fundamental component of learning how to configure routers and switches from the command line.

Packet Tracer’s simulation mode allows instructors to demonstrate processes that were formerly hid-den to students. Showing internal functions in “easy-to-see” tables and diagrams simpli-fies the learning process. The simulation mode

also decreases instructor presentation time by replacing the white board and static slides with real-time visuals.

Package Structure using Visualization Feature

Data Sheet

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The Student ExperienceStudents who spend more time in an e-doing mode of learning, with simulation and interaction, will be better equipped to apply concepts and configuration fundamentals when exposed to real equipment. As students gain practical experience with tasks, such as troubleshooting, they become more confident in their abilities.

Another impor-tant aspect of Packet Tracer is discovery learn-ing. Packet Tracer generally provides a greater variety of equipment combinations than a student would encounter in a lab environ-ment. Students have the ability to

connect the equipment in as many different combinations as they would like for each simulation. For example, students can create a network that has 50 routers, connect the routers, and configure the network to function properly. These types of capabilities give students an opportunity to experiment and develop an in-depth understanding of network processes and equipment. Another important element of student learning that Packet Tracer encour-ages is that it is fun, which can be a very important motivation.

Key FeaturesIn the Simulation and Visualization Mode, students can see and control time intervals, the inner workings of data transfer, and the propagation of data across a network. This helps students un-derstand the fundamental concepts behind network operations. A solid understanding of network fundamentals can help accelerate learning about related concepts.

The physical view of devices such as routers, switches, and hosts, presents graphical representations of expansion cards and identifies the capabilities of each card. The physical view also provides geographic representations, including multiple cities, buildings, and wiring closets.

The Activity Wizard allows users to set-up a scenario using text, a basic network topology, and predefined packets. The activity feedback is shown in summary format. Students can create and answer “what if” scenarios and instructors can create their

own self-evaluated activities that present immediate feedback to students on their proficiency in completing the activity.

The Real-Time Mode provides students with a viable alternative to real equipment and allows them to gain configuration practice before working with real equipment.

Additional Features• Lab grading function

• Modular devices

• User-friendly CLI and integrated help feature

• Different device models for creating custom networks

• Tutorial

• International language support

• Simple mode

For more information

Cisco Networking Academy Program www.cisco.com/go/netacad

Networking Academy Course Catalogue www.cisco.com/edu/courses

Locate a Networking Academy www.cisco.com/edu/locate

Certifications www.cisco.com/go/certifications

Wire Closet using Physical Visualization Feature

Geographical Representation of Network