---
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
```

### Other Distro (Including Fedora) Manual Install
Since they only provide a .deb version, we have to manually install it on other distros. This will require the `binutils`, `tar` and `xf` packages to be installed.
```sh
# Create a working folder and move the downloaded file into it
mkdir ~/Downloads/PacketTracer && mv ~/Downloads/CiscoPacketTracer_900_Ubuntu_64bit.deb ~/Downloads/PacketTracer

cd ~/Downloads/PacketTracer

# Extract the program
ar x CiscoPacketTracer_900_Ubuntu_64bit.deb
tar xf data.tar.xz

# Install the program
sudo mkdir -p /opt
sudo mv opt/pt /opt/pt
sudo ln -s /opt/pt/packettracer.AppImage /usr/local/bin/packettracer
```

## Usage

### Starting App

The first time you launch this app needs to be from the command-line to accept the EULA, the exact command depends on your distribution. Debian/Ubuntu/Mint and where we installed it manually, you should just be able to run the `packettracer` command, on Arch-based you need to run `/usr/lib/packettracer/packettracer.AppImage`

On Arch you may need to launch from CLI every time in testing.

### 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)