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Classes:
  - IT Foundations
---

# Cisco Packet Tracer
Packet Tracer is a visual simulation tool for network topologies.

**Note:** This is not just a Linux issue as the issue is on Windows as well, but Packet Tracer does not play with with Dark Mode, so I recommend setting your system to Light Mode while using Packet Tracer

## Install
Note: a netacad account is required to download

You can download the "Ubuntu" version .deb from https://www.netacad.com/resources/lab-downloads?courseLang=en-US 

### Arch-based (AUR Package)

```sh
# Download the AUR Package
git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/packettracer.git
cd packettracer

# Add the downloaded .deb file to the package
mv ~/Downloads/CiscoPacketTracer_900_Ubuntu_64bit.deb .

# Build and install the package
makepkg -scri
```

### Debian/Mint/Ubuntu

```sh
sudo apt install ~/Downloads/CiscoPacketTracer_900_Ubuntu_64bit.deb
```

### Fedora

Unfortunately an rpm package does not exist so Packet Tracer can not be easily installed on Fedora.

Your best bet will likely to be to use [Distrobox](../Tools/Distrobox.md), or if available use a Windows or Debian/Ubuntu/Mint Virtual Machine.

## Usage

### Starting App

As far as I can tell Packet Tracer need to either be launched from the Command-line or when you open a file for Packet Tracer.

Regardless the first launch needs to be from the command-line to accept the EULA, the exact command depends on your distribution. Debian/Ubuntu/Mint should just be able to run the `packettracer` command, on Arch-based you need to run `/usr/lib/packettracer/packettracer.AppImage`

### Login

It seems that the "Open in Browser" function for the initial login seems to be broken, fortunately an in-app browser option is available and works.

On the initial screen select "Advanced Settings" and check "User internal web browser for Cisco Networking Academy login"

![Login Screen](Screenshots/packettracer-login.png)