Packet 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 Experience

Packet 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 hidden to students. Showing internal functions in “easy-to-see” tables and diagrams simplifies the learning process. The simulation mode also decreases instructor presentation time by replacing the white board and static slides with real-time visuals.

The Student Experience

Students 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 important aspect of Packet Tracer is discovery learning. Packet Tracer generally provides a greater variety of equipment combinations than a student would encounter in a lab environment.

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 encourages is that it is fun, which can be a very important motivation. 

Key Features

In 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 understand 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