How to install Cisco packet tracer on Linux Desktop

Overview

Here in this post we will cover the process on how to install Cisco Packet Tracer on Linux Desktop. First we will go through the setup process for the Debian based distros, meaning that this procedure will apply for the Debian, Linux Mint , Ubuntu and etc. With these steps you can install Cisco Packet Tracer on Debian, Linux Mint, Ubuntu and other Debian/Ubuntu based systems.

Another network simulation you can try out as well is GNS3(free as well. You can check the installation and how it looks on this post.

Requirements:

  1. Cisco Packet Tracer installation file
  2. Libpng12 library package

Bellow is a video tutorial as well:

https://youtu.be/ap3F0aV_Xm8

Install Cisco packet tracer on Linux Desktop

Downloading the installation file

We need to download the installation file. The Cisco Packet Trace is free to use, and to acquire the installation is quite easy. I acquired the copy of the software from the official Cisco site, it only requires for you to create an account on the site, which is also available and free. Also, you can find the software available on other alternative sources.

install Cisco packet tracer on Linux

install Cisco packet tracer on Linux

Extracting the archive and running the installation

After you downloaded the installation, we now need to use the terminal. Run the terminal and navigate to the folder where the file is downloaded, in this case it is in Downloads folder:

cd Downloads

Now we will extract the installation from the archive, for that we need to use the following command:

tar xvzf PacketTracer7.2.1forLinux64bit.tar.gz -C PacketTracer/

install Cisco packet tracer on Linux

I created a new separate folder PacketTracer and in the command, I set the parameter to extract all the files in that folder.  While still in the Downloads folder, we need to go the new folder we created, PacketTracer :

cd PacketTracer

In this folder run the install file.

./install

install Cisco packet tracer on Linux

When you start the installation, hit space to pass the license agreement, accept the agreement in the end. After that, the installation will prompt you to use the default installation location or another which you can specify, but we will go with the default location. Then, installation will ask for your root password. Provide your root password.

install Cisco packet tracer on Linux

install Cisco packet tracer on Linux

Installing the missing library package

The installation will finish quickly, but we will not be able to run it yet and the shortcut which installation has created is not working, so we need to fix that as well.

install Cisco packet tracer on Linux

We can run the software using the terminal. Software is located in the /opt/pt/bin folder. Command to navigate to the Cisco Packet Tracer executable file:

cd /opt/pt/bin

But, if we try to run the software, we will get an error saying that a library is missing . We need to acquire that library package and install it.

install Cisco packet tracer on Linux

install Cisco packet tracer on Linux

Link to the library package to download it: Download the library

install Cisco packet tracer on Linux

We need to choose the package for the right PC architecture we have on our PC. In our case, it is amd64 which is a 64 bit version. When you download the package, just run it(double click on it) and the system will run the installation process.

install Cisco packet tracer on Linux

A new prompt window will appear, it will display the package. On the bottom right corner you’ll have the option to install the package. Click on it and it will ask for the root password.

install Cisco packet tracer on Linux

Running the Cisco Packet Tracer and creating a new shortcut

After we installed the library, we’ll be able now to run the Cisco Packet Tracer. We can run ti from the terminal. Since we installed the Cisco Packet Tracer version 7.2.1, the software will first prompt you to login with your netacad account in order to continue. But, if you don’t need to use the account anymore, you can use the Packet Tracer with the Guest login. Click on the Guest Login button on the bottom right corner. You’ll get a timer of 10 seconds. Wait for it and after that you’ll be able to use the software.

install Cisco packet tracer on Linux

install Cisco packet tracer on Linux

install Cisco packet tracer on Linux

What is left is to fix the shortcut. Actually, instead, we will create a new shortcut. Go to the /opt/pt/bin folder and copy to the dekstop a file CIscoPacketTracer.desktop. We need to edit that file with a text editor. You can use nano, gedit or some other. In this example, we used the gedit. So, start the terminal again and navigate to the Desktop:

cd Desktop

install Cisco packet tracer on Linux

Then run the command the edit the file with a gedit text editor:

gedit CiscoPacketTracer.desktop

install Cisco packet tracer on Linux

Now, edit the Exec= line and add the location of the Cisco Packet Tracer executable and that is /opt/pt/. Save the file, exit the text editor.

install Cisco packet tracer on Linux

Next step is to convert that new shortcut into the executable. Use the command:

sudo chmod +x CiscoPacketTracer.desktop

install Cisco packet tracer on Linux

And test the new shortcut.

Now, only thing left to do is to move the new shortcut we created to the applications folder in order for our new shortcut to show up in the start menu - this is optional. Use the command:

sudo mv CiscoPacketTracer.desktop /usr/share/applications

install Cisco packet tracer on Linux

Test the shortcut again from the start menu. You can delete the old shortcut and enjoy your virtual network lab.

Summary

With these steps we performed the procedure how to install cisco packet tracer on linux desktop. The steps we executed on this post can be used to install cisco packet tracer on debian, mint and ubuntu.

Thank you very much for your time. I hope you found the post useful.