Legally obtain Cisco IOS updates for free. They publish the IOS to your cisco account for 3 days to download. Thank you guys very much!! Saved me $$ and lots of trouble!! Baya says: March 26, 2018 at 3:28 pm March 2018, still works! I did the same process for my ASA that was running in 8.6. Cisco Packet Tracer 7.2.1 by Cisco Systems is available for download and installation. If you have already installed the software, you may need to download and install the new version in order to update.
Cisco Packet Tracer 7.2.1 by Cisco Systems is available for download and installation. If you have already installed the software, you may need to download and install the new version in order to update. The latest version is not a major update but a bug fix update fixing only one bug in the earlier version. The software is available for a majority of the Operating Systems including Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android.
The benefit of using Cisco Packet Tracer is that you can install any version of Cisco IOS on the router network you have created.
Quick Summary
- 6 How to use Packet Tracer?
Tip: You may also want to check out the latest Cisco AnyConnect VPN client if you’re interested in the VPN functionality.
What is the packet tracer?
Cisco Packet Tracer is a powerful network simulation software from Cisco Network Academy which can simulate/create a network without having a physical network. It has a drag and drop interface which is easy to use yet highly effective while configuring complex networks. Cisco Packet Tracer can also run as a hybrid network combining physical networks and the simulated networks. All this is achieved by using a drag and drop visual interface. This capability makes the software unique and highly useful across institutions and individuals worldwide who want to learn and practice their networking skills before touching the production networks.
The benefits of using Cisco Packet Tracer
A few benefits of using Cisco Packet Tracer simulator tool include the following:
- Free for everyone, institutions, and individuals around the world. Earlier, it was only free for Cisco Network Academy students.
- Practice complete Cisco Packet Tracer labs from the Networking Academy in their skills and career building program for learning (CCENT, CCN, CCNP Security and CCNP Switch exams, in fact, any Cisco certification).
- Equally useful program for learning for institutions and individuals.
- Users can run simulations on all devices compatible with Cisco Packet Tracer including Windows, Linux and Android mobile device (Cisco Packet Tracer Mobile)
- You can run and practice Cisco IOS Operating System without having a physical router and network.
- Last but not least, it can also run on a mobile device!
Let’s first discuss what’s new in Packet Tracer 7.2.1 and then move on to the Cisco Packet Tracer free download section. Although Cisco Packet Tracer is free to download and use, Cisco Networking Academy makes it compulsory to have a Cisco account in order to download and even use the software.
What’s new in Packet Tracer 7.2.1?
Just like Cisco Packet Tracer 7.1.1, the version 7.2.1 is a maintenance release and does not contain any major updates. The complete build no. of this release is 7.2.1.0218. Only one major bug was fixed in this release. The bug in previous versions of Packet Tracer was that if the user had logged into Packet Tracer software, the user was required to log in again after every system restart.
Here a video introducing Packet Tracer 7.2.1:
Apart from this, all the features of version 7.2 remain the same. Cisco has removed Packet Tracer 7.2 from their website and it is not available for download anymore. So you should download this latest version for future installations. Here were the major features of version 7.2 major release:
Packet Tracer 7.2 workspace improvements:
- New themes
- Align workspace objects
- Ability to deploy the device to a specific rack
- Accessibility update
- Ability to name a rack
Protocol and software improvements :
- PPPoE support
- 802.1x (useful for CCNP certification exam)
- Answer tree filter
- Real TCP server
- Real WebSocket
- Real-time activity grading
- Additional IOS security features
- Protocol improvements
New devices in Packet Tracer 7.2
- ASA 5506-X firewall (FirePOWER features not supported)
- Meraki security appliance
- Meraki server (for Meraki security appliance centralized configuration, emulating Cisco Meraki dashboard)
- Home router with advanced wireless capabilities (2.4G, 5G, beamforming, wireless bridge, …)
Getting started with Cisco Packet Tracer
The installation process of this version of Cisco Packet Tracer is quite simple and straight forward. Let’s go through the process visually:
Download Packet Tracer 7.2.1 from the below-given links and run the installer. After installation, if you have a browser open, you will be asked to close the browser with the following message:
For Packet Tracer Skill-Based Assessment (PTSBA) to use this version of Packet Tracer, please close all web browsers or restart your computer.
After that, you will be shown another notice that you are running Packet Tracer for the first time so your files will be saved in the default folder.
And then you will get a login screen. You can either log in with your Cisco Network Academy log in ID and password or run the software as a guest. For running the software as a guest, press the “Guest Login” button at the bottom right side of the window. One caveat of guest login is that you will have to wait for a few seconds and then click on “Confirm Guest” button to start using the software.
And then you can start using the software as per your choice.
Cisco Packet Tracer Download Latest Version
Cisco Packet Tracer is free to download but you need to register for Netacad Networking Academy which is also free. Registering is helpful because you will also need to sign in with the same ID when you run the simulation tool. Let’s walk through the registration and download process here.
- Go to this link and hover your mouse on Sign up today button. Click on English drop-down item from the button.
- Enter your details on the next step and click the Create Account button.
- Once the account has been created, you will need to activate it using the link sent to your provided email.
- Once confirmed, open this link which lists the download links to Packet Tracer active versions. Here’s the list of downloads available:
Windows Desktop Version 7.2.1 English (32-bit and 64-bit)
Linux Desktop Version 7.2.1 English (64-bit)
MacOS Desktop Version 7.2.1 English
You can download Packet Tracer for Android and iOS directly using the links below (without signing in)
How to use Packet Tracer?
There are a lot of tutorials on Youtube and the Internet which can guide you through the network learning process using Cisco Packet Tracer. Here are some good tutorials for learning the basics.
Introduction to Packet Tracer
Get some experience with Cisco equipment using Packet Tracker simulations
Troubleshooting networks Packet Tracer
Contents
Introduction
This document provides guidelines to help you choose the most appropriate Cisco IOS® Software release to meet your needs, and provides suggestions and tools to aid you in your choice.
Note: In order to use the troubleshooting tools described in this document, you must be a registered customer and you must be logged in.
Prerequisites
Requirements
There are no specific requirements for this document.
Components Used
This document is not restricted to specific software and hardware versions.
Conventions
Refer to the Cisco Technical Tips Conventions for more information on document conventions.
How Do I Choose a Cisco IOS Software Release?
The most important factors to take into account are:
Hardware Support
The first thing to check when you choose a Cisco IOS Software release is hardware support. You can find the software requirements of your hardware in the Cisco Product Documentation section of the Documentation CD, but Cisco recommends that you use the Cisco Feature Navigator (registered customers only) , which allows you to search for Cisco IOS Hardware Support.
Note: In order to use the tools, you must:
Compile a list of the different software versions that support all your hardware.
Determine which features have to be deployed within your network.
Refer to Cisco IOS Software for more information on features and hardware support for any particular Cisco IOS software release. From this page, choose the required Cisco IOS software release under The Latest Cisco IOS Software Releases section. Next, click the Bulletins link under the Product Literature section and refer to the Cisco IOS Release Features and Hardware Support document.
Feature Support
If you have the output of a show version command from your Cisco device, you can use the Output Interpreter Tool (registered customers only) in order to display potential issues and fixes. In order to use this tool, you must be a registered customer, be logged in, and have JavaScript enabled.
It is important to check for feature support, especially if you plan to use recent software features. If you want to keep the same features as the version that currently runs on your router, and you are not sure which feature set you use, issue the show version command on your router.
The second line of the show version command looks like this:
The 'JS' is the feature set. In this example, J stands for 'Enterprise' and S stands for 'Plus'. With this knowledge, you can choose a similar feature set.
In order to find out which Cisco IOS Software supports all of the features you plan to use, it is best to use the Cisco Software Research (registered customers only) , which allows you to search by feature(s) or by release, and it even allows you to compare two releases. Write down the different software versions that meet your requirements and that are compatible with your hardware.
Refer to Cisco IOS Software for more information on features and hardware support for any particular Cisco IOS software release. From this page, choose the required Cisco IOS software release under The Latest Cisco IOS Software Releases section. Next, click the Bulletins link and refer to the Cisco IOS Release Features and Hardware Support document.
Cisco IOS Software Release Version
You still have to choose the particular Cisco IOS Software release you want to run. All of them are fine as long as they support your hardware, contain the features you want, and are compatible with the memory of your router (see Memory Requirements). Here are some general recommendations and guidelines to make it easier for you:
Release Format
Cisco IOS Software releases use the format A.B(C)D where:
A, B, and C are numbers.
D (if present) is a letter.
A.B is a major release.
C is the maintenance version. A higher maintenance number means more bug fixes. Any feature, bug fix, and hardware support available in a particular maintenance version are also available in the next one.
D, if present, indicates that the release is not a major release, but an extension of a major release. These extensions usually provide new features and new hardware support.
Cisco IOS Software Image
The Cisco IOS Software image is either ED, LD, GD, or DF:
ED stands for 'Early Deployment.' Early Deployment releases offer new feature, platform, or interface support. Most non-major releases contain ED releases.
GD stands for 'General Deployment.' A major release of Cisco IOS Software reaches the 'General Deployment' milestone when Cisco feels it is suitable for deployment anywhere in customer networks where the features and functionality of the release are required. Criteria for reaching the 'General Deployment' milestone are based on, but not limited to, customer feedback surveys from production and test networks using the releases, Customer Engineer bug reports, and reported field experience. Only major releases are candidates for the General Deployment milestone.
LD stands for 'Limited Deployment.' A major release of Cisco IOS Software is said to be in the 'Limited Deployment' phase of its life cycle during the period between its first shipment and the GD milestone.
DF stands for 'Deferred.' DF releases are not available for downloading because of known defects. These should not be installed on your router.
When choosing a release, Cisco recommends a GD release when possible. Only choose an ED release if your hardware and software features leave you no other choice.
Memory Requirements
Before you install a new Cisco IOS Software image on your router, check if your router meets the memory requirements for that image. For this, issue the show version command on your router, and look for these lines:
The first line tells you how much Dynamic RAM (DRAM) and Packet memory are installed in your router. Some platforms use a fraction of their DRAM as Packet memory. The memory requirements take this into account, so you have to add both numbers to find the amount of DRAM available on your router (from a memory requirement point of view).
Example 1: Separate DRAM and Packet Memory
The 4000, 4500, 4700, and 7500 routers have separate DRAM and Packet memory, so you only need to look at the first number. This shows that the router has 65536 K (or 64 M) of DRAM.
Example 2: Combined DRAM and Packet Memory
Cisco Router Ios Download Free
The 1000, 1600, 2500, 2600, 3600, and 7200 routers use a fraction of DRAM as Packet memory, so you need to add both numbers to find out the real amount of DRAM. In this example, the router has 29696 K + 3072 K = 32768 K (or 32 M) of DRAM.
Cisco Ios Download Free Version
Example 3: Available Flash Memory
The bottom line tells you how much Flash memory is available. Some of it might already be in use. In order to find out the amount of free Flash memory, issue a show flash command:
Variants of the show flash command can be used to inspect different specific Flash devices on the platform. Refer to the show flash command definition for information on how to use these variants.
You need to satisfy both the DRAM and the Flash requirements to be able to use the software you choose. If you do not meet the requirements, you can either add more Flash or more DRAM in the router, or choose another Cisco IOS Software release. You may also consider a reduced feature set or an older release, since they have less features, and therefore fewer requirements.
You can use the Download Software area or the Release notes in order to find the memory requirements for a particular release. Complete these steps in order to access the release notes for a Cisco IOS Software release:
Go to the Download Software area.
Choose Cisco IOS and NX-OS Software.
Choose the Cisco IOS software release for which you are looking, for example, Main Line or Special and Early Deployment.
Choose your product, for example, Cisco 3800 or 2800 Series.
Choose the Cisco IOS software release, for example, General Deployment (GD), Limited Deployment (LD) or Maintenance Deployment (MD). Here on RHS you are able to view the DRAM and Flash memory required for the respective Cisco IOS image.
Bug Scrub
You can perform a bug scrub in order to check bugs on a new release. Refer to the Bug Toolkit (registered customers only) .
Download the Cisco IOS Software Image
You should now be ready to go to the Download Software area. Complete these steps:
Choose the major release in which you are interested.
Choose the platform.
Choose the exact version you want to download. (At this point, you can see which versions are GD, LD, or ED [DF releases are not available for downloading]).
Choose the feature set you want.
The memory requirements for that feature set are displayed. If your router matches them, go ahead and download the image.