Cisco Packet Tracer is a 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.

Contents

• 1 Packet Tracer features
• 2 Packet Tracer 6.1.1 - New features
• 3 Packet Tracer 6.0 - New features
• 4 Packet Tracer 5.3 - New features
• 5 Use in education
• 6 See also
• 7 External links

Packet Tracer features

The current version of Packet Tracer supports an array of simulated Application Layer protocols, as well as basic routing with RIP, OSPF, and EIGRP, to the extents required by the current CCNA curriculum. While Packet Tracer aims to provide a realistic simulation of functional networks, the application itself utilizes only a small number of features found within the actual hardware running a current Cisco IOS version. Thus, Packet Tracer is unsuitable for modeling production networks. With the introduction of version 5.3, several new features were added, including BGP. BGP is not part of the CCNA curriculum, but part of the CCNP curriculum.

Packet Tracer 6.1.1 - New features

Users of previous versions of Packet Tracer will note a variety of new features in this version of Packet Tracer.
Student Version & Instructor Version

• Now there are 2 versions of Packet Tracer.

Protocol Improvements
Packet Tracer now models these new or improved features:

• Netflow
• Zone-Based Policy Firewall for IPv6
• AAA Accounting Commands
• IPv6 CEF
• IPv6 IPSEC
• IPv6 over IPv4 GRE Tunnel Protection
• Etherchannel Expansion (Layer 3)
• IOS 15 [15.0.2-SE4(ED)] image support for 2960
• OSPF - OSPFv3 Enhancements

1. OSPF distance command
2. "ipv6 ospf neighbor [ipv6-add]" interface subcommand
3. "neighbor router-id" command
4. "area [area] range" command
5. ip ospf network point-to-point (loopback interface only)
6. "auto-cost reference-bandwidth"

• EIGRP - EIGRPv6 Enhancements

1. EIGRP distance command
2. "debug ip eigrp summary" commands
3. EIGRPv6 across FR
4. EIGRP authentication commands

• RIP - RIPng Enhancements

1. Default-information originate for RIPng
2. RIP distance command update

• DHCP Enhancements

1. DHCP for IPv6
2. show and clear ip dhcp conflict
3. DHCP snooping commands
4. IPv4 Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA)
5. ipv6config /renew and /release on PC
6. DHCPv6 commands for IOS 15
7. NDv6

• Show Commands

1. show ip route
2. Show ip/ipv6 route summary

General Improvements

• Converted Qt3 code to Qt4.82
• Supports Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. Stopped support for Windows Vista.
• Activity Wizard

1. Scripts - Text popup on topology
2. Scripts - Supported in instruction window
3. Add variable manager import / export
4. Explanation of answer tree nodes names
5. Add show variables to pools and variables page

• Simulation Mode

1. Filter based on IPv4 and IPv6 traffic
2. Update PDU index in the PDU Window
3. Expanded buffer for PDUs.

New Devices Security

• ASA 5505

Packet Tracer 6.0 - New features

• IOS 15
• HWIC-2T and HWIC-8A modules
• 3 new cisco routers (Cisco 1941, Cisco 2901, Cisco 2911)
• HSRP support
• Activity Wizard and Variable Manager improvement
• BGP configurations

Packet Tracer 5.3 - New features

• Improved Linksys models, wireless security
• Cable and DSL enhancements
• Call Manager Express (VOIP support)
• FTP server and routers/switches - Server and Client
• 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

Taken From: http://www.cisco.com/web/offer/emea/7130/docs/PT5.pdf

Use in education

Packet Tracer is commonly used by Cisco Networking Academy students working towards Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification. Due to functional limitations, it is intended by Cisco to be used only as a learning aid, not a replacement for Cisco routers and switches. Packet Tracer can be used to understand various concepts of networking with simulation, It can be used to design a network by connecting various networking devices and running various troubleshooting tests to check the connectivity and communication between different networking devices. Packet Tracer can be used to understand the use of different networking devices appropriately and the difference in their working. As it is costly to buy various networking equipment while learning networking, Packet Tracer can be used to understand computer networks.