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 Cisco offers a tool with which it is possible to design networks and perform simulations on their use. This free application is called Packet Tracer and can be downloaded from the official Cisco website.

With this tool, students, teachers and professionals can test the operation of networks, cybersecurity and the Internet of Things (IoT) .

Packet Tracer has an intuitive interface that facilitates its use when adding the different elements that make up the network, being able to connect with each other and make the necessary network configurations in just a few clicks.

How to Use Packet Tracer for the First Time

Cisco Packet Tracer has functional versions on different operating systems, Windows, Linux, MacOS, and versions for mobile devices, Android and iOS.

In order to install it, you must perform the following steps: on the Cisco Networking Academy website you must enroll in the "Introduction to Packet Tracer" course and complete the enrollment; On the main page, go to Resources> Download Packet Tracer and choose the version of Cisco Packet Tracer you want to download.

With a simple installation, you can perform the first Packet Tracer session, in which you must use the registration data and accept the permissions for the Firewall.

What can be done with Packet Tracer

Cisco Packet Tracer is an application through which you can perform a wide variety of functions related to networks, such as designing and building a network from scratch, working on pre-built projects (includes a large variety of interesting examples), testing new designs and network topologies, test network changes before applying them to the network, examine the flow of data through a network, simulate the Internet of things,  or prepare network certification exams.

Packet Tracer interface

The various areas of the Packet Tracer work zone are:

Main menu : has options such as File, Edit, Options, View, Tools, Extensions and Help.

Main Toolbar : with the typical functions such as open, save, print, zoom in / out, undo, redo, etc.

Secondary Toolbar : these are the Packet Tracer options, such as selecting, deleting, adding shapes or submitting data.

Button Toolbar : contains all the devices and connections that the program has and that are added in the design and configuration of a network. This bar is divided into two parts, the first on the left, where the different categories of the devices are, and a second where the devices and connections are displayed to add them

Work Area : the widest area of ??the interface, where the network design is carried out, adding the devices and connections, and where the simulation is displayed.

Create a new network project

From the main menu you can create a new blank project. On the main screen you can start adding the different devices that make up the network.

Add Devices

Inside the Button Toolbar menu are all the devices and connections available in the application. Navigating between them we can see:

Network Devices : where routers , switches , hubs , Wi-Fi devices, and WAN emulation and security devices are located.

Devices : from where computers, printers, servers, telephones, etc. can be added. In addition, there are a large number of devices oriented to the internet of things, such as smart speakers, various types of sensors, smart appliances, etc.

Components : we can find MCU boards and SBS boards (microcomputers) and similar devices.

Connections : in this section we find all kinds of connections between devices, such as copper cable, fiber, console, telephone, USB, etc.

Duplicate devices

Clicking on any device while holding down the Control key, that device is duplicated (renamed), keeping the same settings. When doing a network project that requires a large number of equal devices, it is best to add one, configure it, and then duplicate it as many times as necessary.

Delete devices

Devices can be deleted in two ways: selecting the device and pressing the Delete button on the Secondary Toolbar, and without selecting device, pressing the Delete button, which will turn the cursor into a crosshair that when clicking on a device will remove it.

Rename device

Devices are added with a generic name that often does not make the topology easy to understand. Changing the name of the devices makes it possible to better differentiate each one of them and helps to understand the network (especially in the case of more complex topologies).

Add Connections

Once all the devices on the network are located, the ideal is to add the different connections between them. From the Button Bar menu, by selecting Connections, you can see the different ways of connecting the devices to each other. Selecting a connection, the cursor will change shape and when clicking on one of the devices a line will be drawn until the target device is selected, making the connection between both The service provider number .

By clicking on both devices, you can choose the type of connection to connect them (Ethernet, coaxial, USB, etc.).

Configure the different devices

After adding the devices and drawing the connections between them, it is necessary to proceed to configure the different devices so that there can be communication between them. Clicking on any device will open the settings window, where it is possible to perform different actions: configure the network options, IP, subnet mask, DNS, DHCP, turn off and turn on the devices or access the console for configuration by line of commands, for example.