Introduction to Cisco Packet Tracer

Introduction:

Packet Tracer is a platform for visual representation/ simulation tools for Network development, developed by Cisco system, which allows users to create networks, and gives the privilege to configure routers, PCs and network devices through the virtual command line.

Key Features:

• Packet Tracer Workspace: Cisco Packet Tracer has two workspaces; one physical and another logical. The logical workspace allows users to build virtual networks by providing virtual switches, hubs, PCs, Routers and connecting devices as cables, connecting wires. Users can make virtual network topologies by placing, connecting the virtual network devices. The physical workspace shows the graphical representation of the logical network.

  

  1. Logical Workspace

2. Physical Workspace

• Packet Tracer Modes: Cisco Packet Tracer provides users with two operation modes to get the essences of the networks by visualizing the behaviour networks. One is Real Time Mode and another is Simulation Mode. In Real Time Mode the networking devices act as real devices in which you can get to know, how they will work in the real world, whereas in simulation mode you can actually see the inner workings of the network by sending virtual data packets and can see the propagation, and transfer of that data packets across the network.

Details:

The components of the Packet Tracer interface are as follows:

• Area 1: Menu bar -This is a common menu found in all software applications; it is used to open, save, print, change preferences, and so on.
• Area 2: Main Toolbar - This bar provides shortcut icons to menu options that are commonly accessed, such as open, save, zoom, undo, and redo, and on the right-hand side is an icon for entering network information for the current network.
• Area 3: Logical/ Physical workspace tabs - These tabs allow you to toggle between the Logical and Physical work areas.
• Area 4: Workspace - This is the area where topologies are created and simulations are displayed.
• Area 5: Common tools bar - This toolbar provides controls for manipulating topologies, such as select, move layout, place note, delete, inspect, resize the shape, and add simple/complex PDU.
• Area 6: Realtime/Simulation tabs - These tabs are used to toggle between the real and simulation modes. Buttons are also provided to control the time, and to capture the packets.
• Area 7: Network component box - This component contains all of the network and end devices available with Packet Tracer, and is further divided into two areas:
• Area 7a: Device-type selection box - This area contains device 
• Area 7b: Device- specific selection box - When a device category is selected, this selection box displays the different device models within that category.
• Area 8: User-created packet box - Users can create highly-customized packets to test their topology from this area, and the results are displayed as a list.