Discover Cisco NetAcad and Cisco Packet Tracer
Introduction to Cisco NetAcad
Cisco Networking Academy (more commonly known as Cisco NetAcad) was founded in 1997 to provide training for network professionals. It’s a platform that provides training primarily for Cisco, but also other technologies, enabling learners to gain knowledge in IT networks and the equipment used in networking.
Cisco NetAcad is the company’s biggest Corporate Social Responsibility program (more info about these can be found here), and can be accessed online at https://www.netacad.com via your web browser:
Introduction to Cisco Packet Tracer
Before creating an account on Cisco NetAcad, let’s take a look at Cisco Packet Tracer. This software enables you to simulate large-scale networks and gain an essential understanding of how to configure the numerous devices that make up an IT network.
Register on Cisco NetAcad
Create an Account on Cisco NetAcad
If you want to download Cisco Packet Tracer and make the most of all of its features, you’ll need to create an account on Cisco NetAcad. There are two options for registering on Cisco NetAcad:
You can either complete a self-paced course on Cisco NetAcad, which is what we’re going to do here (although we’ll just start the course, we won't complete it).
Or you can contact your local Cisco academy where your instructor will give you the option of completing technical courses that are available on the Cisco NetAcad platform. Find an academy near you by clicking on this link: https://www.netacad.com/academy-name-search.
Set Up Cisco NetAcad
So, you're going to download Cisco Packet Tracer. To do so, first you need to access the platform using a browser: https://www.netacad.com.
Click on the Log In option found in the top right-hand corner of the screen and click Login:
Scroll down the page and select Sign Up.
Complete the sign-up pages with all requested details, including your email address and click on Register to submit.
Once the form has been submitted, you’ll receive an email confirming the creation of your account. Click the Activate Account button in the email and set a password for your new account.
Great! You now have access to the courses on NetAcad, and importantly, to Cisco Packet Tracer. Finally, click on My Learning to go back to your Cisco NetAcad home page.
To log out, click on your name in the top right-hand corner and click on Logout.
Let's Recap!
In this chapter, you’ve seen:
an introduction to the online training platform, Cisco NetAcad.
the purpose of Cisco Packet Tracer in a professional context to simulate IT networks, even large-scale ones.
how to register for a self-paced course on Cisco NetAcad so that you can download Cisco Packet Tracer and install it in the next chapter.
Now that you've created your account on Cisco NetAcad, you’ll download and install Cisco Packet Tracer in the next chapter.
