What's New


Users of Packet Tracer 3.2, 4.0, and 4.01 will note a variety of new features in Packet Tracer 4.11.

Protocol Improvements

Packet Tracer 4.11 models protocols not included in earlier versions. These protocols include models of HTTP, DNS, TFTP, Telnet, TCP, UDP, Single Area OSPF, DTP, VTP, and STP. Also, in many cases, existing models of IP, Ethernet, ARP, wireless, CDP, Frame Relay, PPP, HDLC, inter-VLAN routing, and ICMP have been extended. Models of Integrated Service Routers (ISRs), including the 2811, 1841, and Linksys WRT300N, have been added. Very simple models of cable modems, DSL modems, and IP Phones have also been added.

Extendable Architecture

Packet Tracer is designed in a modular fashion for future expansion and the Packet Tracer team is interested in learning what new features would be most useful to the community.

GUI Improvements

Packet Tracer 4.11 retains the logical topology as the primary workspace but adds additional physical representations of devices, realtime and simulation modes, and a wide variety of views and windows. The GUI supports multiple languages so the application may be locally translated. New features included in Packet Tracer 4.11 are the following: accessibility, copy and paste, undo, clustering devices, drawing palette, zooming, font adjustments, support for multiple device windows open at once, and improved window management.

Representation and Visualization Tools

An Event List, a form of global network sniffer, is included in Packet Tracer 4.11. This allows the display of the majority of simulated PDUs as events. For detailed protocol analysis, these events may be played in a continuous animation mode, forward, backward or in a stepped through process. Powerful OSI Layer view and PDU view, and more sophisticated custom PDUs, are also supported.

Annotation and Authoring Capabilities

Packet Tracer 4.11 improves upon the Activity Wizard of versions 3.2 and 4.0. It also includes templates, or "design patterns," for four different types of problem-solving activities: concept builders (network modeling problems), skill builders (pre-lab and post-lab implementation and practice activities), design problems, and troubleshooting problems.

Packet Tracer 4.11 models networking protocols