Presentation_ID 1 © 2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Packet Tracer – Overview of Activity Wizard Bob Samson Professor – Computer

Presentation_ID 1© 2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public

Packet Tracer – Overview of Activity Wizard

Bob SamsonProfessor – Computer Information TechnologyMesa Community College Networking [email protected]

WASTC, Cisco Regional Academy Conference, June 19, 2014

Presentation_ID 2© 2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public

Packet TracerOverview

Packet Tracer is designed to enhance teaching and learning and supplements training on actual equipment

CCNA Overview 3© 2009 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public

What is Cisco Packet Tracer?

Comprehensive networking technology teaching and learning software developed by Cisco Networking Academy


Packet Tracer Simulation-Based Learning

Offers a unique combination of:

Realistic simulation and visualization experiences,

Complex assessment and activity authoring capabilities, and

Opportunities for multiuser collaboration and competition


Packet Tracer Availability

Packet Tracer is available free to all Networking Academy instructors, students and alumni on Academy Connection

Packet Tracer is available in both Windows and Linux versions

Recommendation:

Download to a local server at your academy and have students install Packet Tracer from the local server


Pre-Made Sample Files


Help Files - Tutorials

Load advanced tutorials for the Activity Wizard


Help Files – Some of the Tutorials


Packet TracerActivity Wizard

The Packet Tracer Activity Wizard is designed to enhance teaching and learning by allowing creation of multiple self grading scenarios within a structured environment.


PT Activity Wizard Vocabulary

Answer network: The network that you want students to end up with after they perform whatever configuration tasks they are instructed to complete. The “correct” answer.

Initial network: The network that you give students to begin with in completing the activity. This can be as “complete” or incomplete as you like. Just remember that you need to give clear instructions so that students know what Answer network you are expecting.


Planning: Create the Answer first…

Using the Activity Wizard is easier with a little up front planning.

The easiest way to create activities using the wizard is to create the Answer network first.

By removing or editing elements of the answer network, the Initial network is created.

… Or ...

Import a .pkt file that already contains all or most of the elements you might want to assess. This imported file becomes the Answer network.


Sample Activity – Answer Network


The Activity Wizard can be accessed from the Extensions menu, from the tool bar, or with Ctrl+W.

Activate the Activity Wizard


Activity Wizard – Create Answer File

You will be prompted to use the current file.


Welcome Screen

Update the Author & Comments section with your contact information and any special instructions


Variable Manager Activated

Don’t forget to check this box!


Variable Pools

There are three possible variable types.

Each pool may then be associated with a named variable.


Variable Pools - Number

Use Number variables for a continuous range of values. In this example, we are setting host IP address ranges for each LAN in this network.

The first range will include all values between 10 and 49, the second range is from 50 to 99.

When selected randomly, one value will be chosen from each range for this Activity. Different values will occur each time it is run.


Variable Pools - Strings

Use Strings to define a single value or a list of values. You may create complex values using “Regular Expressions”.

For more information, visit:http://www.regular-expressions.info

Multiple values are separated by semi-colons. When assigning variables, either a random choice may be made or the entire range may be compared for a matching value.


Variable Pools - Strings

Name Value

Wild-Match-Any {{RegEx::^.+$}} This will match any value

Wild-Not-Switch {{RegEx:^((?!Switch).)*$}} This matches anything but “Switch”

Match-class class;$1$mERr$9cTjUIEqNGurQiFU.ZeCi1 This matches “class” or the hashed value for it

Match-cisco cisco;0822455D0A16 This matches “cisco” or the hashed value for it

DNS-Server 172.25.72.2;140.198.8.14;217.23.44.197 This will match several different IP addresses

Login-Normal 1 This will match a single numeric value

PHX-SNM 255.255.255.192 This will match a Subnet Mask

Clock-Variable 9600;38400;56000;125000;1000000;4000000 Several possible Clock Rates


Variable Pools – IP Addresses

IP addresses and subnet masks are entered here. This will define a range of values that is shown in the last two columns.

Only the IP address is compared in the variable. If you wish to compare a subnet mask, you must create a string variable for it.


Associating Variables with Pools

This associates the pool information to the variable name and specifies how it relates.


Save it or Lose it!

Save your file.You might consider using the ‘Save as…’ feature to use a different name as you move through the process.


The Instructions screen provides a place where you can list the steps needed to complete this activity.

HTML tags such as <b> for bold, <i> for italics, or <u> for underline may also be used when typing in the instructions field.

Use the + button to add more pages to the instructions. Use the X button to delete a page of instructions.Use the < and > to move through the pages.

Instructions


You can also use most basic HTML tags to format your instructions, as shown here.

Copying code from an HTML editor works well!

Instructions in HTML


Create Instructions in an Editor First

Note: Variables in brackets

Mesa Community CollegeSkills Final


Save as an HTML Document


Delete Existing text and Import Page


Preview the HTML instructions

Note: Variable values assigned from the pools.

Mesa Community CollegeSkills Final


Save it or Lose it!



The Answer Network screen allows you to customize the activity’s answer network, assessment options, timer settings, connectivity testing, and feedback options.

You can view and modify the answer network at any time by clicking here.

You can import a different answer network from an existing .pkt file or export the current answer network to a .pkt file.

Answer Network – Lots goes on here!


What Can be Assessed?

Assessment criteria are Vast-

Almost any value in any device may be compared to the Answer Network.

The Answer network used in creating the activity will dictate which items may be assessed.

Connectivity tests may also be created to verify that the finished network actually functions properly.


Assigning Values with Variables

Variables can be used in place of absolute values. If a random option is chosen, the variable will take on a value for that session only.

Variables may only be selected for those values that have a green circle in front of them.

Simply select the assessment criteria with a check mark, and drag the variable from the list to the item.


Assessment Options and Items

Only checked items will be evaluated. Be careful not to just check a device at the outermost level – every item in the device will become checked! Clicking on the ‘+’ sign will expand a category.


Show Only Checked Items

Use this box to show only checked items


Connectivity Test

If selected, Connectivity Tests will be based on Scenario-0 in the Answer file.

Criteria can be set for “Do Not Test”, “Success”, or “Fail”.


Activity Timer

Time Elapsed tracks the time taken to complete an activity. Countdown sets a time limit for completing the activity. None turns the timer off. The default is Time Elapsed.


The Initial Network screen allows you to set up the initial network and lock certain options within PT.

The Show Initial Network button switches to the Initial Network. It begins as an empty topology, which means the student will start from scratch. Not a very good idea!

You can import a different initial network from an existing .pkt file or export the current initial network to a .pkt file.

Use the Copy from Answer Network button to copy the answer network to the initial network. Then click on Show Initial Network button and adjust the initial network so that the assessed items are missing.

Initial Network


Copy from Answer Network


New Initial Network

Notice the Activity Wizard hat indicating which screen you are in- very handy!


New Initial Network

All the existing values need to be erased from the PC’s and the routers need to be erased and reloaded.


Under Locking Options, you can specify which features are not accessible within the activity. Check items you want locked.

Set Locking Options


Another popular choice is to disable the ability for the students to review their individual assessment items. They will still see a “% Done”.

Often students ‘chase’ green check marks and lose the value of the exercise.

Lock View Assessment Items


Save it or Lose it!



Password Options

The Password screen allows you to set a case-sensitive password.

Click Enable Password to be sure the password is set.

The lock icon will lock if the password is enabled.


Test or Check Activity

The Test Activity button will allow you to test the activity from the beginning, just as a student would.

The Check Activity button allows you to continue an activity from the last point you exited it – Great for editing the assessment tree!


Testing the Activity

The Test Activity wizard cap reminds you that you are testing the activity. Click on it to exit testing.

The Instructions window cannot be closed. You can minimize the window or resize it.


Check Results

If you allowed assessment items, use the Check Results button at anytime to see how many of the assessed items have been completed so far.

Use the Reset Activity button to restart the activity.


When the student clicks Check Results, she can see exactly which assessment items have not yet been completed or were completed incorrectly.

Activity Results


When satisfied with the activity, click the Save button. Save the file with an appropriate name in the directory of your choice.Note that the file extension for activities is .pka.

Saving the Activity


Editing a .pka

PT_ccna5


Packet TracerCase Studies

I have created four Case Studies for the CCNA curriculum:

Introduction to NetworkingRouting and SwitchingScaling NetworksConnecting Networks


Introduction to Networking Case Study

Primarily concerned with IP Addressing, CablingBasic Switch and RouterConfiguration


Routing & Switching Case Study

Primarily concerned with VLANs, Trunking, IPv6, Router-on-a-Stick, DHCP, Single Area OSPF, NAT


Scaling Networks Case Study

Primarily concerned with VLANs, Trunking, Router-on-a-Stick, Multi Area OSPF, EIGRP


Connecting Networks Case Study

Primarily concerned with Frame-Relay, PPP, NAT, Multi-Area-OSPF, DHCP, EIGRPv6 and

Access Control Lists


Questions?

Bob SamsonProfessor – Computer Information TechnologyMesa Community College Networking [email protected]

WASTC, Cisco Regional Academy Conference, June 19, 2014

Documents

Presentation_ID 1 © 2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Packet Tracer – Overview of Activity Wizard Bob Samson Professor – Computer