Download Cisco Packet Tracer (Windows, Linux & macOS)

Cisco Packet Tracer is a free network configuration and simulation tool from Cisco. Build, configure, and troubleshoot virtual networks — routers, switches, firewalls, IoT devices — without needing real hardware. It's the standard tool used across Cisco's CCNA/CCNP training and Networking Academy courses.

⚠️ Note: Cisco no longer publishes permanent direct-download links. Every download goes through Cisco's official NetAcad Resource Hub and requires a free account. This guide walks through the full process.

📥 Download & Installation

Step 1 — Create a free Cisco account

1. Go to Cisco Networking Academy
2. Sign up for free — no course purchase required
3. You can also sign in via Google SSO

Step 2 — Go to the Resource Hub

1. Once logged in, go to netacad.com/resources/lab-downloads
2. This is Cisco's official hub for Packet Tracer and other lab downloads
3. Find Cisco Packet Tracer in the list and select the installer for your OS:
   • Windows 64-bit (.exe)
   • macOS 64-bit (.dmg)
   • Ubuntu 64-bit (.deb)

💡 Tip: The exact file link changes with every release — that's why it's hard to find directly. Bookmark the Resource Hub page above rather than any specific file URL, so you always land on the current version.

Step 3 — Install for your OS

Windows

1. Run the downloaded .exe
2. Accept the license agreement
3. Choose an install location and click through to Install

macOS

1. Open the downloaded .dmg
2. Drag Cisco Packet Tracer into Applications
3. Launch it from the Applications folder

Ubuntu / Linux

1. Open a terminal in your Downloads folder

2. Run:

   sudo apt-get install ./CiscoPacketTracer_<version>_Ubuntu_64bit.deb
   

3. Replace <version> with your downloaded Packet Tracer version

4. Use Tab + Enter to accept the license agreement if prompted

   ⚠️ Mouse input doesn't work during this CLI step

Step 4 — Sign in inside the app

1. On first launch, Packet Tracer shows a login screen
2. Use the same Cisco / NetAcad account created in Step 1
3. Toggle "Keep me logged in" if you're on a personal device

Step 5 — You're ready

Packet Tracer opens fully and you can start building network topologies.

⚙️ System Requirements (Packet Tracer 9.0.0)

• CPU: amd64 (x86-64)
• RAM: 4 GB free minimum
• Disk space: 1.4 GB free

📝 Notes

• Always download from netacad.com — never from third-party mirrors or torrents
• Cisco publishes SHA256 checksums on the Resource Hub page if you want to verify your download
• Stuck? Cisco's official Download and Installation Instructions PDF covers every OS step-by-step with screenshots