Experiment 5

Aim: To study about packet tracer.

Theory:

Packet Tracer is a cross-platform visual simulation tool designed by Cisco Systems that allows users to
create network topologies and imitate modern computer networks. The software allows users to simulate
the configuration of Cisco routers and switches using a simulated command line interface. Packet Tracer
makes use of a drag and drop user interface, allowing users to add and remove simulated network devices
as they see fit. The software is mainly focused towards Certified Cisco Network Associate Academy
students as an educational tool for helping them learn fundamental CCNA concepts.

Functionality of the Cisco packet tracer:

As networking systems continue to evolve in complexity, new curricula and educational tools are emerging
to facilitate teaching and learning about networking technology. The Cisco Networking Academy® program
is designed to keep pace with the evolution of networking systems by providing innovative curricula and
educational tools that help students understand the complexities of information and communication
technologies (ICTs). Within this framework, the Cisco® Packet Tracer e-learning software was developed to
help Networking Academy students gain practical networking technology skills in a rapidly changing
environment. Students seeking ICT skills can now benefit from the accessibility of online curricula and new
opportunities for social learning, collaboration, and competition.

Features:

 Cisco Packet Tracer has two workspaces—logical and physical. The logical workspace allows users
to build logical network topologies by placing, connecting, and clustering virtual network devices.
The physical workspace provides a graphical physical dimension of the logical network, giving a
sense of scale and placement in how network devices such as routers, switches, and hosts would
look in a real environment. The physical view also provides geographic representations of
networks, including multiple cities, buildings, and wiring closets.
 International language support.
 Can run on multiple platforms such as windows, Linux ,etc.

Advantages of the packet tracer:

 Packet tracer provides network simulation and visualization.

 It can be used to enhance and improve the practical knowledge of computer networking principles
among students.
 Moreover, students can design mini-projects with solutions with more innovation and creativity. As
with other tools, students are able to understand the use of different networking protocols but
they are not able to understand the application of
these protocols in the real networks, thus packet tracer can be used to design and configure a
network, and understand the application of various protocols.
 As students can’t access different networking devices, because of the cost, also devices may be
damaged and further, movement of packets from source to destination can’t be seen in a real-
time, thus by using packet tracer, students can access the virtual network devices any time and no
damage can be caused to devices, moreover the movement of packets can be shown by
simulations.
Disadvantages:

 With options such as blank routers and PCs dragging one of the incorrect entities into the program
can leads to errors which can be annoying and hard to find and fix and overcome.
 some of the entities in the program have to be manually turned on to function. This includes routers
and switches which if not turned on will not work and this can also lead to networks not working
properly and again errors in running your networks.

Functioning:

Conclusion:

The features and functionalities of the packet tracer have been studied.