Jump to content
From ArchWiki

Cisco Packet Tracer is a powerful network simulation program that allows students to experiment with network behavior and ask “what if” questions. As an integral part of the Networking Academy comprehensive learning experience, Packet Tracer provides simulation, visualization, authoring, assessment, and collaboration capabilities and facilitates the teaching and learning of complex technology concepts. Source

## Disclaimer

Understand if you have permission from Cisco Systems to use this software. If you do not meet eligibility, discontinue your progress and consider alternatives such as GNS3.

## Installation

### Download source package tarball

packettracerAUR can not be installed using automated methods (e.g. AUR helper) because the software's tarball must be downloaded first before building the package.

So, first acquire the build files for packettracerAUR package.

### Download Packet Tracer deb package

It is time to download the Packet Tracer deb package distributed in Cisco's website so it can be used to build packettracerAUR for Arch Linux.

1. Log into Cisco Networking Academy (netacad) using your Cisco Account. Register an account if you do not have it.
2. Once in the Networking Academy portal, download the Packet Tracer from Resources menu > Download Packet Tracer (you should land in here). The downloaded filename should be something like `PacketTracer_800_amd64_build212_final.deb`.
3. Place the .deb file inside the folder where packettracerAUR's build files are located—that is the same folder where the PKGBUILD file is found.

### Build and install

With all the build files and the deb file ready, time to build and install:

1. Change the directory to where build files (e.g. `PKGBUILD`) are (if you are not in there already)
2. Build the package; alternatively, build in a clean chroot
3. Install the package.

### End-user License Agreement

Finally, please read the copyright file at `/usr/share/licenses/packettracer/COPYRIGHT` for the End-user License Agreement (EULA) and the Supplemental End-user License Agreement (SEULA), and uninstall if you do not agree with them. If you agree, the program can be found under most menu systems in the Internet category, or you run the packettracer binary.

### Assessment environment check

This article or section is out of date.

Reason: The command below does not work, and the package does not have this file. (Discuss in Talk:PacketTracer)

The Cisco Packet Tracer-based Assessment Environment Check is used to confirm that students can start packet tracer activities for assessments such as practice and final exams. It is critical that you have a working version of Java installed. Perform the check at https://assessment.netacad.net/check/check.html to confirm whether or not this ability is functional.

    javaws PT-Assessment-Client.jnlp

## Troubleshooting

### Crashes under Wayland

If Packet Tracer crashes when started in a Wayland session, try running it with the `QT_QPA_PLATFORM` environment variable set to `xcb`. See Wayland#Qt for more details.

### Wrong UI Size

If Packet Tracer renders the incorrect size, try modifying the `QT_DEVICE_PIXEL_RATIO` environment variable, and then either reboot or logout.

## See also

- GNS3
- Cisco Packet Tracer - Networking Academy
- Cisco Packet Tracer-based Assessment Environment Check
- PacketTracer -- video visualizing the installation process

Categories:

- Networking
- Simulation

Hidden category:

- Pages or sections flagged with Template:Out of date