Cisco Packet Tracer 8.x new features

Cisco Packet Tracer 8.2 build 0162 has been released for download !  Have a look at Cisco Packet Tracer 8.2 new features.

Packet Tracer 7.0 is a major Packet Tracer release with major improvements and new features : new Cisco switch and routers, SPAN/ERSPAN,  improved server device, ... Internet Of Everything features, sensors ans programmig languages is the main improvement of this new version which become a good network simulator for prepaing the new CCNA Industrial exam.

Update 06/04/2024 : A new Cisco Packet Tracer 8.2.2 version has been released for download on Netacad website. This is a bugfix release fixing several bugs on accessibility, usability, and security of Packet Tracer 8.2. Cisco Packet Tracer 8.2 introduced a new  command as well as bug fixing regarding incompatible DLLs that caused Packet Tracer crashes.

Cisco Packet Tracer 8.2 has been released for download in August 2022 on Cisco Netacad. Current build is Packet Tracer 8.2.2.0400. This is a maintenance release of Packet Tracer 8.X family with many message boxes being reworked for better clarity, bug fixes and a fix regarding incompatible DLLs that caused Packet Tracer crashes.

GNS3 3.0.0 is the next major version of the GNS3 network simulator used by many large companies for network simulation. 

Contrary to Cisco Packet Tracer, which only emulates Cisco devices, GNS3 runs real network devices OS images in a virtual environment, providing network engineers with the same CLI environment than the real equipment they are configuring on a daily basis.

Cisco Packet Tracer 8.2.2 and GNS3 v2.2.48.1 have been released ! GNS3 v2.2.48 features a new option to keep the compute IDs unchanged when exporting a project and forbid use of unsafe Qemu additional options. Check download page !

GNS3 3.0 is under active development and should include at least the following major changes :

• Faster GNS3 server/controller based on FastAPI (API v3).
• Swagger UI / Redoc API documentation.
• Streamlined web interface
• User management and experimental RBAC API
• Zstd compression for importing/exporting projects

Introduction

Cisco Packet Tracer 8.2 and GNS3 v2.2 are two major network simulation software used for certification exam training (Cisco CCNA and CCNP for example) or network feature test without having to buy expensive real world equipment. The two software have been designed to address different needs.

Packet Tracer is a network simulator and embeds only limited real equipment features. GNS3 is a network emulator based on Dynamips and QEMU running real IOS images, virtual machines, ... The main limitation of GNS3 is the amount of ressources (CPU / memory) available on the PC for running the lab's emulated IOS images and virtual machines for clients & servers simulation.

GNS3 v2.2 official release is now available for download on GNS3 website. This new version released on September 30, 2019 with hyperV virtual machine and link status detection on QEUM. GNS3 also introduced support of new L4 / L7 devices :

• Cisco security devices  : this powerful network emulator now supports new Cisco security appliance to help network and security administrators to prepare security certification exams : Cisco Firepower Next-Generation IPS (NGIPS) threat appliances, Cisco Firepower Threat Defense Virtual NGFW appliances and Firepower Management Center Virtual.
• Citrix ADC VPX load-balancer now available on GNS3 marketplace

Current GNS3 build is 2.2.48.1 as of July 12, 2024.