0-Capstone Project 2-2
Install and Use Packet Tracer
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Objective: Given a scenario, use the appropriate network software tools and commands. (Obj. 5.3)
Resources:
A computer or user account with application installation rights
Internet access
Context: If you plan to pursue networking or security as your area of specialty in IT, you might consider
earning a few Cisco networking certifications after you complete your CompTIA Network+ certification.
The Cisco Networking Academy website provides many useful tools for advancing your networking
education. One of those tools is a network simulator called Packet Tracer.
In this Capstone Project, you download and install Packet Tracer and take a tour of the simulator
interface. This version of Packet Tracer is free to the public, and your school does not have to be a
member of Cisco’s Networking Academy for you to download and use it. In later projects, you’ll return
to Packet Tracer to build networks and even learn some basic Cisco IOS commands. Cisco IOS
(Internetworking Operating Systems) is the operating system used on Cisco networking devices, such as
routers and switches (with minor variations in the specific IOS for each different type of device). Many
other manufacturers of networking devices use the same or similar commands, and those that use
different commands typically use very similar functions, even if they call it something a little different.
Create your account
To get the Packet Tracer download, you must first sign up for the free Getting Started with Cisco Packet
Tracer online course on the Cisco Skills for All website. Complete the following steps to create your
account:
1. Go to https://skillsforall.com/course/getting-started-cisco-packet-tracer?courseLang=en-US.
Click the Getting Started button next to the language selection drop down box.
2. Near the bottom of the Login page is the text “Don’t have an account?” with a Sign up link next
to it. Click the Sign up link to begin the process.
3. Choose your country or region of residence, year of birth, and month of birth from the different
drop down boxes. Click the Continue button to continue.
4. Enter your first name, last name, email, a password you will use to login, and then type the
password in a second time to confirm it. I recommend using your Kirkwood student email or a
third party email with a professional email address for this. Click the Create account button to
create your account.
5. Read through the terms and conditions. Check the boxes for “I have read and agreed to the
terms & conditions”. Click the Accept & Continue button to proceed to the course.
6. You may be asked to activate your account. If so, please open the email account you used and
click on the link in the email from Cisco.
Note: You can log back in later if you need to come back to the content at a later time by clicking the
Login button on the Skills for All website (https://skillsforall.com/). You then need to click the play
button on the image for the Getting Started with Cisco Packet Tracer course or the three dots next
to the name where you can then choose Resume.
Install Packet Tracer
Now you’re ready to download and install Packet Tracer. Proceed through the Getting Started with Cisco
Packet Tracer course until you reach section 1.0.3 Download Cisco Packet Tracer. Complete the
following steps:
1. Click the link to the lab downloads page (https://skillsforall.com/resources/lab-downloads)
which will open in a new window.
2. Scroll down to the Learning Resources section to find Packet Tracer. Choose the correct version
for your computer (macOS, Ubuntu, or Windows).
3. After the download is complete, install Packet Tracer using the steps from the Skills for All lab
downloads page. Please use the detailed installation instructions available by clicking on the
Cisco Packet Tracer Download and Installation Procedures link.
Notes:
1. You may be asked if you would like to run Packet Tracer in multi-user mode. You can safely
choose No to stop Packet Tracer from asking you to log in every time you open it.
2. If you see a Windows Security Alert, allow access through your firewall.
Continue through the course
The information you learn in the Getting Started with Cisco Packet Tracer course will help you complete
the Packet Tracer activities and final project used in this class by getting you familiar with how to use the
software. Please make sure to complete the following sections in the Getting Started with Cisco Packet
Tracer course:
1.0 Install Cisco Packet Tracer
1.1 The Cisco Packet Tracer Interface
o Activity 1.1.6 will ask you to type in responses to the Free Response Questions it shows
you before you can continue. Don’t worry if all of your answers aren’t correct! This
activity is to get you familiar with Packet Tracer.
o Activity 1.1.6 will ask you to connect a USB cable from Laptop_1 to Backup_Router. Right
click on Backup_Router in the rack and choose Inspect Rear from the menu. The USB
port is one of the connectors on the front side.
o Activity 1.1.6 will ask you to reflect on what you’ve done after configuring the
Backup_Router with a hostname. Cisco provides feedback at the end in case you aren’t
sure what you might answer here.
o When you close Packet Tracer you can answer no to saving the results.
2.0 Packet Tracer File Types
2.1 Build a Home Network
o Click both the “Create a Simple Network” instructions and “Create a Simple Network”
Packet Tracer download link to record your progress in this section. The instructions
should be identical between both of these because Packet Tracer includes the
instructions.
o Pay close attention to the completion percentage located at the bottom of the
instructions. As you proceed through the activity it should go up until it reaches 100%. If
you aren’t sure what is missing, you can use the Check Results button and then click on
the Assessment Items tab to see what is marked with a red X to indicate it hasn’t been
completed or is incorrect.
o Save this Packet Tracer when your completion percentage is 100% and upload it in Talon
to the Capstone Project 2-2: Install and Use Packet Tracer assignment box.
2.2 Summary of Course
Getting Started with Cisco Packet Tracer Course Final Exam
o Complete the Course Final Exam. Make sure you download the Packet Tracer activity
used on the exam to answer the questions.
o Take a screenshot of your completed exam once you have reached a minimum score of
70%.
Windows: You can use the Print Screen button the keyboard or Snipping tool.
Mac: You can press Command-Shift-3 keys for a full screen shot or Command-
Shift-5 keys on the keyboard for something similar to the Snipping tool.
o Paste the screenshot into a Word document or save it as an image file and upload it in
Talon to the Capstone Project 2-2: Install and Use Packet Tracer assignment box.
Congratulations, you’re done!
