1. WASTC, Cisco Regional Academy Conference, June 19, 2014
Packet Tracer – Overview of Activity Wizard
Bob Samson
Professor – Computer Information Technology
Mesa Community College Networking Academy

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

3. What is Cisco Packet Tracer?
Comprehensive networking technology teaching and learning software developed by Cisco Networking Academy
Cisco Packet Tracer is far more than just another network simulation tool, it is primarily a teaching and learning software application and an integral part of the Cisco Networking Academy’s comprehensive learning experience.

4. 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 .

5. 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
Packet Tracer has superseded PT 5.2 and is the only version of Packet Tracer that is currently available for download from Academy Connection.

6. Pre-Made Sample Files

7. Help Files - Tutorials
Load advanced tutorials for the Activity Wizard

8. Help Files – Some of the Tutorials

9. Packet Tracer Activity 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.

10. 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.
PT Activity Wizard Vocabulary
Answer network: The network that you want students to end up with after they perform the configuration tasks they are instructed to complete. You might want to think of the Answer network as the “correct” answer.
Initial network: The network that you give students to begin with in completing the activity. This network can be as complete or incomplete as you want. Just remember that you need to give clear instructions so that students know what Answer network you are expecting.

11. 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.
Planning: Create the Answer first…
Creating the answer network first allows you to construct a working network with all of the elements that you would like to assess.
The answer network can be as complex or as simple as needed for the purpose of the activity.
The answer network is edited to remove any of the elements that you wish for students to complete.
For instance, if the goal of the activity is to test a student’s ability to apply an IP address to an interface and bring it up to operational status, the Answer network would have the interface configured and working. Then the IP address would be removed and the interface would be shut down to create the initial network.

12. Sample Activity – Answer Network

13. Activate the Activity Wizard
The Activity Wizard can be accessed from the Extensions menu, from the tool bar, or with Ctrl+W.
Activity Wizard
Create or open the .pkt file that you want to use as the Answer network. You should thoroughly test this network to ensure that it has all of the elements that you wish to assess, and that those elements are operational.
Then open the Activity Wizard.
The Activity Wizard can be accessed from the Extensions menu or by clicking on the Activity Wizard button on the tool bar. It can also be opened by typing CTRL+W.

14. Activity Wizard – Create Answer File
You will be prompted to use the current file.
Activity Wizard
Create or open the .pkt file that you want to use as the Answer network. You should thoroughly test this network to ensure that it has all of the elements that you wish to assess, and that those elements are operational.
Then open the Activity Wizard.
The Activity Wizard can be accessed from the Extensions menu or by clicking on the Activity Wizard button on the tool bar. It can also be opened by typing CTRL+W.

15. Welcome Screen
Update the Author & Comments section with your contact information and any special instructions
Welcome Screen
The Welcome screen lists the basic steps you will need to create your activity.
You can see that the steps to create the activity are:
Create (or import) the answer network, and set the assessment items.
Create (or import) the initial network, which will be the user’s starting point. A blank initial network may also be used. Note: For accurate scoring, device display names in the initial network must match the display names in the answer network.
Put constraints on the user’s ability to use certain features during the activity.
Write a clear set of instructions for the activity. (This step is one of the most important steps to ensure accurate scoring.)
Password-protect the activity to prevent unauthorized changes to activity parameters.
Save the activity. Activity files are .pka files.
The following slides will provide more detail for each of these steps.
Note: Intermediate adds the variable manager, and Advanced adds the scripting.

16. Variable Manager Activated
Don’t forget to check this box!

17. Variable Pools There are three possible variable types.
Each pool may then be associated with a named variable.

18. 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.

19. 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:
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.

20. 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; D0A16
This matches “cisco” or the hashed value for it
DNS-Server
; ;
This will match several different IP addresses
Login-Normal 1
This will match a single numeric value
PHX-SNM
This will match a Subnet Mask
Clock-Variable
9600;38400;56000;125000; ;
Several possible Clock Rates

21. 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.

22. Associating Variables with Pools
This associates the pool information to the variable name and specifies how it relates.

23. 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.

24. Instructions
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.
Instructions
You can complete the tasks along the left side in the order that works best for you. The third button is Instructions.
From the Instructions tab, you can add detailed instructions describing what must be done to complete the activity successfully.
HTML tags such as <b> for bold, <i> for italics, or <u> for underline may also be used when typing in the instructions field. For a full list of supported HTML tags, please go to the QStyleSheet Class Reference page at
1. Type in the text or paste in copied text.
2. Edit the text to include HTML tags, if desired.
3. Click on the Preview as HTML tab to see how the instructions will appear to the students.
4. Click on the Edit tab if more changes are needed.
Remember that clear instructions will ensure that students understand the task and will make scoring more accurate. You do not want students to get items incorrect due to poorly written instructions.
PT4.1 or greater has the option to have multiple pages of instructions.
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.
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.

25. Instructions in HTML
You can also use most basic HTML tags to format your instructions, as shown here.
Instructions in HTML
You can use many basic HTML tags or copy HTML code in from an outside HTML editor.
Copying code from an HTML editor works well!
There are free HTML editors available on the web.
Copying code from an HTML editor works well!

26. Create Instructions in an Editor First
Mesa Community College
Skills Final
Note: Variables in brackets

27. Save as an HTML Document

28. Delete Existing text and Import Page

29. Preview the HTML instructions
Mesa Community College
Skills Final
Previewing the HTML
Click Preview as HTML to verify your coding.
If the instructions need edits, remember to go back to your HTML editor to make the changes and then paste the code into the Edit screen.
Note: Variable values assigned from the pools.

30. 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.

31. Answer Network – Lots goes on here!
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
The Answer Network tab allows you to customize the activity’s answer network, assessment options, timer settings, connectivity testing, and feedback options.
You can see the answer network at any time by clicking on the Show Answer Network button. The answer network can then be modified, if necessary.
You can also import a different answer network from an existing .pkt file or you can export the current answer network to a .pkt file.
The Answer Network screen allows you to customize the activity’s answer network, assessment options, timer settings, connectivity testing, and feedback options.

32. 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.
What can be assessed?
An assessment item is a feature in the student configuration that must match that feature's configuration in the answer network.
You choose the assessment options by checking items in the expandable tree.
You can check specific features or entire categories. For example, you can check just the IP address of a port of a particular router, or click on the Ports category to check all settings of all ports on the router.
Assessment categories are
IP (for example, IP addresses on interfaces)
Physical (for example, bandwidth, power, and duplex settings)
Routing (for example, static routes and routing protocols)
Switching (for example, VLANs)
ACLs
NAT
The Answer network used in creating the activity will dictate which items may be assessed. If the Answer network contains a router configured with an ACL, then the student could be assessed on creating that ACL. If the Answer network doesn’t have the ACL configured then the student cannot be assessed on creating that ACL.
In the Assessment Items, only the items marked with a green dot can be assigned a variable.

33. 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.

34. Assessment Options and Items
By default all available Assessment Options will be displayed but will be unchecked. This means that no items under those categories will be assessed unless you make changes within the Assessment Items tree.
This is a good example of the value of clear instructions. Packet Tracer may evaluate an answer as wrong, even if it works in the scenario.
You can add feedback specific to each item to be assessed. Click once in the space to the right of the assessment item. Type the text to use. After typing, press the Enter key.
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.

35. Show Only Checked Items
Use this box to show only checked items

36. Connectivity Test
Connectivity Test
The connectivity tests are based on the first scenario (Scenario0's PDU list) of the answer network’s User Created PDU list. There are three test conditions to choose from: "Do Not Test”, "Successful”, or "Fail”.
If the PDU is supposed to succeed after all tasks are completed properly then the Test Condition should be marked as Successful.
If the PDU is supposed to fail after all tasks are completed properly then the Test Condition should be marked as Fail.
If the success or failure of the PDU should not be evaluated, then the Test Condition should be marked as Do Not 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”.

37. Activity Timer
Activity Timer
Under Time Settings tab, you can have PT track how much time has elapsed since the activity was started or make this a timed activity.
You can use Countdown to give students a limited amount of time to complete the activity.
You can also simply turn the timer off by choosing None.
The default is Time Elapsed.
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.

38. The Show Initial Network button switches to the Initial Network
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!
Initial Network
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
The Initial Network tab allows you to set up the initial network and lock certain options within PT.
The Show Initial Network button will display an empty topology.
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 removed.
You can also import and export the initial network.
For this example, only remove the IP addressing and the routing information. Do NOT remove the WICs from the routers.
The Initial Network screen allows you to set up the initial network and lock certain options within PT.

39. Copy from Answer Network
Replacing the initial network with the answer network cannot be undone.

40. New Initial Network
Notice the Activity Wizard hat indicating which screen you are in- very handy!
Now, all the existing values need to be erased and the routers reloaded.

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

42. Set Locking Options
Under Locking Options, you can specify which features are not accessible within the activity. Check items you want locked.
Set Locking Options
Under Locking Options, you can specify which features are not accessible within the activity. For example, you can prevent devices from being deleted or disconnected.
Any item with a checkmark in the list of Locking Items indicates that students are locked out of that feature. In other words, students will not be allowed to perform the tasks with a checkmark.
If you place a checkmark next to Use Config Tab, then you have locked students out of using that feature. This will force students to only use the CLI Tab to configure devices.

43. Lock View Assessment Items
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.

44. 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.

45. Password Options Click Enable Password to be sure the password is set.
The lock icon will lock if the password is enabled.
Password Options
The Password button allows you to set a password on this activity so that it cannot be changed. Notice the lock icon is unlocked when there is no password set.
Click Enable Password to ensure the password is set.
The lock icon will lock if the password is enabled.
The Password screen allows you to set a case-sensitive password.

46. 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!

47. 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.
Testing the Activity
The Test Activity wizard cap reminds you that you are testing the activity. Click on it to exit testing.
Note that the instructions window cannot be closed. If you click on the close button of the instructions window, the window will be minimized and accessible from the Task Bar.

48. 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.
Check Results
You can minimize the instructions window or resize it so that only the title, Check Results, and Reset Activity buttons are showing.
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.

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

50. Saving the Activity
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
The “Save” button allows you to save the activity as a special .pka file.

51. Editing a .pka PT_ccna5 Editing a .pka
An existing activity file (.pka) can be edited if you know the password or if there was no password configured on the activity.
Open the .pka.
Move the instructions out of the way if necessary and use the Extensions…Activity Wizard menu.
If prompted for the password, enter it in the dialog box.
The default password for activities that have been embedded into PT6.0.1 or greater is PT_ccna5.

52. Packet Tracer Case Studies
I have created four Case Studies for the CCNA curriculum:
Introduction to Networking
Routing and Switching
Scaling Networks
Connecting Networks

53. Introduction to Networking Case Study
Primarily concerned with IP Addressing, Cabling
Basic Switch and RouterConfiguration

54. Routing & Switching Case Study
Primarily concerned with VLANs, Trunking, IPv6, Router-on-a-Stick, DHCP, Single Area OSPF, NAT

55. Scaling Networks Case Study
Primarily concerned with VLANs, Trunking, Router-on-a-Stick, Multi Area OSPF, EIGRP

56. Connecting Networks Case Study
Primarily concerned with Frame-Relay, PPP, NAT, Multi-Area-OSPF, DHCP, EIGRPv6 and Access Control Lists

57. WASTC, Cisco Regional Academy Conference, June 19, 2014
Questions?
Bob Samson
Professor – Computer Information Technology
Mesa Community College Networking Academy