Frequently Asked Questions: Cisco Packet Tracer Version 5.

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Last updated March 12, 2010

Q. What is Cisco® Packet Tracer?

A. Cisco Packet Tracer is a comprehensive, networking technology teaching and learning program that offers a
unique combination of realistic simulation and visualization experiences, assessment and activity authoring
capabilities, and opportunities for multiuser collaboration and competition. Innovative features of Packet Tracer
will help students and teachers collaborate, solve problems, and learn concepts in an engaging and dynamic
social environment. Some of the benefits of Packet Tracer are as follows:

● Provides a realistic simulation and visualization learning environment that supplements classroom
equipment
● Enables multiuser, real-time collaboration and competition for dynamic learning
● Enables authoring and localization of structured learning activities such as labs, demonstrations, quizzes,
exams, and games
● Empowers students to explore concepts, conduct experiments, and test their understanding
● Allows students and teachers to design, build, configure, and troubleshoot networks using virtual equipment
● Supports a variety of teaching and learning opportunities such as lectures, group and individual labs,
homework, and competitions
● Supports feature expansion through external applications using an API to enhance the functionality of Cisco
Packet Tracer in areas such as curriculum and assessment delivery, games, accessibility, and interfacing
with real equipment.

Q. Why did the official name for Packet Tracer change to Cisco Packet Tracer and why has the version
number been eliminated from the name?
A. We changed the name to Cisco Packet Tracer and removed the version number to better align with Cisco’s
naming practices and to minimize changes required for new releases. The software version number remains
visible in the About screen of the Packet Tracer software. To access the About screen, start Packet Tracker,
click the Help menu at the top of the user interface, and then select About.

Q. How can I obtain Packet Tracer?

A. Packet Tracer is available free of charge to all Cisco Networking Academy® instructors, students, and alumni.
The software can be downloaded from the Packet Tracer resource page on Academy Connection. To access
this page, log in to Academy Connection and click the Cisco Packet Tracer graphic on the left of the page,
select Software Downloads, then select the appropriate download package for your needs.

Q. What’s new in Packet Tracer 5.3?

A. Packet Tracer 5.3 is a minor release that includes the following new protocol support and enhanced
functionality:

● Improved Linksys models, wireless security

● Cable and DSL enhancements
● Call Manager Express (VOIP support)
● FTP server and routers/switches - Server and Client

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 ● Email system (SMTP – POP3) - Server and Client
● BGP – limited implementation that allows for a more realistic representation of the Internet for scenarios
● Generic IP end devices – to create more versatility in device creation
● Activity Wizard Initial Tree enhancements – more scenario variations

Q. Do I need to upgrade to Packet Tracer 5.3 immediately?

A. Although there are no curricula requirements that make it necessary to move to Packet Tracer 5.3, we
recommend upgrading to the new version to take advantage of the many improvements included in this
release.

Q. Is Packet Tracer 5.2.1.8 still available?

A. Yes, the previous version of Packet Tracer, version 5.2.1.8, will continue to be available for download.

Q. Can I use activities created in a prior Packet Tracer version with Packet Tracer 5.3?
A. Yes. Packet Tracer 5.3 supports activities authored in Packet Tracer 5.0, 5.1, and 5.2.x. All activities included
in the CCNA Discovery, CCNA Exploration, CCNA Security, and IT Essentials curricula are also fully
compatible with Packet Tracer 5.3.

Q. Can I use a new activity created in Packet Tracer 5.3 with a prior version of Packet Tracer?
A. No. Activities authored or saved with Packet Tracer 5.3 can only be used with the version 5.3 software. Packet
Tracer 4.x, 5.0, 5.1 and 5.2.x cannot load Packet Tracer 5.3 data files; they will open as blank activities.

Q. What if students download and use Packet Tracer 5.3 but their instructor is using a prior version?
A. Important: Please note that if a student using Packet Tracer 5.3 creates a new activity, or saves an existing
activity originally created in a prior version of Packet Tracer, it will not open correctly in an older version of
Packet Tracer. If the student submits the activity to an instructor who is using an older version of Packet
Tracer, it will open as a blank file. The instructor will need to upgrade to Packet Tracer 5.3 to open the file or
the student will need to redo her or his work in the older version of Packet Tracer. To prevent this type of issue
from occurring, please ensure that students use the same version of Packet Tracer for homework assignments
that is being used by the instructor and in the classroom lab. Students must use the version of Packet Tracer
that their academy currently supports.

Q. What if I’m using an older version of Packet Tracer and have an issue?
A. If you are using Packet Tracer 4.x, 5.0, 5.1, or 5.2.x and encounter an issue, please download and install
Packet Tracer 5.3. Most known issues in older versions of Packet Tracer were fixed in the 5.3 release. If the
issue persists in the latest version, please contact the Global Support desk for assistance. To access the
Support Desk, log in to Academy Connection and click Help at the top of the page, then select Academy
Support.

Q. Can students and instructors install Packet Tracer on their home computers or personal laptops?
A. Yes. Packet Tracer can be freely distributed to any Networking Academy instructor, student, or alumni. This
enables students to use Packet Tracer on any computer outside of class for homework, practice, and
exploratory learning.

Q. On what platforms can I install and run Packet Tracer 5.3?

A. Packet Tracer 5.3 is compatible with the following platforms: Windows (Windows XP, Windows 2000, Vista
Home Basic, and Vista Home Premium) and Linux (Ubuntu 7.10 and Fedora 7).

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 Q. What are the system requirements for Packet Tracer 5.3?
A. To successfully install and run Packet Tracer 5.3, the following minimum prerequisites must be met:

● CPU: Intel Pentium 300 MHz or equivalent

● OS: Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, Vista Home Basic, Vista Home Premium, Fedora 7, or Ubuntu
7.10
● RAM: 96 MB
● Storage: 250 MB of free disk space
● Screen resolution: 800 x 600 or higher
● Macromedia Flash Player 6.0 or higher
● Language fonts supporting Unicode encoding (if viewing in languages other than English)
● Latest video card drivers and operating system updates
For optimal performance when running PT 5.2, the following capabilities are recommended:

● CPU: Intel Pentium II 500 MHz or better

● OS: Microsoft Windows XP
● RAM: 256 MB or more
● Storage: 300 MB of free disk space
● Screen resolution: 1024 x 768
● Sound card and speakers
● Internet connection: 56K dial-up or faster (if using the multiuser feature)

Q. What protocols can be modeled using Packet Tracer 5.3?

A. Packet Tracer 5.3 models the following protocols:

Layer Cisco Packet Tracer Supported Protocols

FTP , SMTP, POP3, HTTP, TFTP, Telnet, SSH, DNS, DHCP, NTP, SNMP, AAA,
Application
ISR VOIP, SCCP config and calls ISR command support, Call Manager Express

Transport TCP and UDP, TCP Nagle Algorithm & IP Fragmentation, RTP

BGP, IPv4, ICMP, ARP, IPv6, ICMPv6, IPSec, RIPv1/v2/ng, Multi-Area OSPF,
Network
EIGRP, Static Routing, Route Redistribution, Multilayer Switching, L3 QoS, NAT,
CBAL , Zone-based policy firewall and Intrusion Protection System on the ISR,
GRE VPN, IPSec VPN

Ethernet (802.3), 802.11, HDLC, Frame Relay, PPP, PPPoE, STP, RSTP, VTP,
Network Access/Interface
DTP, CDP, 802.1q, PAgP, L2 QoS, SLARP, Simple WEP, WPA, EAP

Q. Why isn’t IGRP available in Packet Tracer 5.3?

A. IGRP is a protocol that is being phased out on Cisco equipment and is being replaced by EIGRP. The version
of the Cisco IOS® software that Packet Tracer 5.3 emulates does not contain IGRP.

© 2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information. Page 3 of 5
 Q. What can I create using the Activity Wizard?
A. The Activity Wizard allows users to set up scenarios using text, basic network topologies, and predefined
packets. Users can create customized network scenarios and add instructional text. The Activity Wizard also
includes grading and feedback capabilities that can be used to create an unlimited number of guided and
exploratory learning experiences that provide immediate feedback to users. These activities can also be saved
and shared with others in the Networking Academy community.

Q. Why won’t the Packet Tracer tutorials launch so I can view them?
A. If your browser has a pop-up blocker enabled, it may prevent the tutorials from launching. Disable all pop-up
blockers to view the tutorials.

Q. Why can’t I set up a wireless connection to another copy of Packet Tracer using the multiuser
functionality?
A. Wireless connectivity uses a distance parameter set within each instance of Packet Tracer to establish
connectivity. In a multiuser connection, the distance parameter cannot be specified, so a wireless connection is
not possible.

Q. Is the multiuser functionality fully supported in the Activity Wizard?

A. Multiuser functionality is supported in the Activity Wizard for connectivity purposes only. There is currently no
way to pass evaluation data across a network between multiple instances of Packet Tracer because Packet
Tracer evaluates the networks in an activity based on a single PKA file. The scoring of multiple file
combinations is not available.

Q. Why can’t I copy devices and clusters between two open copies of Packet Tracer on my desktop?
A. The primary reason that we don’t allow this is to prevent one student from completing an activity and then
distributing it to other students. An additional measure of authenticity is provided by the ability to lock a user’s
name to an activity file using the profile feature in Packet Tracer.

Q. Why can’t I create a custom device in the Linux Ubuntu version of Packet Tracer?
A. In order to create a custom device, the Packet Tracer application needs to be able to write to the PT/template
folder. In Ubuntu, Packet Tracer must be installed at the root level, and then run as root to successfully write to
this folder.

Q. What is the PT Updater and what does it do?

A. Packet Tracer supports feature expansion through external applications using an API. PT Updater is an
external application (ExApp) included with Packet Tracer version 5.3. The PT Updater application checks the
Cisco servers on a regular basis for updates to the Packet Tracer application. Like any ExApp, PT Updater can
be disabled by the user if they choose to do so but the associated functionality is then lost. For more
information on ExApps and the PT Updater, click Help at the top of the page, then select IPC (Inter-Process
Communication).

Q. Where can I get help with issues related to downloading or installing Packet Tracer?
A. For general assistance, contact the Global Support Desk. To access the Support Desk, log in to Academy
Connection and click Help at the top of the page, then select Academy Support.

Q. How can I report bugs in the Packet Tracer program or Packet Tracer activities?
A. Please report bugs and errors through the Curriculum and Assessment Quality Support site. To access this
site, log in to Academy Connection and click Help at the top of the page, then select Curriculum and
Assessment Quality Support. Select the Contact Curriculum Team tab, provide as much detail as possible,
and then click Submit.

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 Q. Where can I discuss using Packet Tracer in the classroom, ask other instructors for ideas and
feedback, or share Packet Tracer activities that I’ve developed?
A. To collaborate with other instructors, join the Cisco Packet Tracer community discussion. To access the
discussion board, log in to Academy Connection and click Forums & Chat under Resources, then select
Instructor Community > Packet Tracer.

© 2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco, the Cisco logo, Cisco Systems, CCNA, CCNP, and Networking Academy are registered trademarks or trademarks of
Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective
owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company. (1001R)
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