1. Co-director CCNA CATC - Ft. Worth, TX
Academy Conference 2010 Using Variable Manager in Packet Tracer Activity Wizard
Glenn Wright
Co-director CCNA CATC - Ft. Worth, TX
July 19, 2010

2. Finding information about Variable Manager
Where is it and how do I get it? 2

3. Finding Information about Variable Manager
There is additional information that can be obtained on using the Variable Manager and other Packet Tracer features.
Click on the Packet Tracer download icon in your Academy Connection home page.
Scroll down the page and click on the Cisco Packet Tracer additional tutorials and training materials link.
Select the Advanced Tutorials for Packet Tracer ZIP file to begin the download. 3

4. Finding Information about Variable Manager
Cisco Packet Tracer additional tutorials and training materials 4

5. Finding Information about Variable Manager
Topics that are available in the Advanced Tutorials on using Variable Manager are shown to the right.
= Used in this session 5

6. Packet Tracer
Variable Manager
So, What is the Variable Manager?

7. So, What is the Variable Manager?
The Variable Manager allows instructors to add dynamism to activities. Numbers, strings, and IP addresses may be assigned to a variable that is generated once or randomly each time the learner runs an activity.
This session will focus on introducing Packet Tracer users to the Variable Manager and how it can be used to modify or create activities that enable students to gain more practice with a task that provides multiple scenarios, but is structurally the same. 7

8. Enabling the Variable Manager
The Variable Manager is located in the Activity Wizard, which is located in the Extensions menu. OR 8

9. Enabling the Variable Manager
To enable the Variable Manager, select either Intermediate or Advanced as the Activity Creation Experience setting in the Welcome panel. 9

10. Enabling the Variable Manager
Notice that once either the Intermediate or Advanced option is selected, the Variable Manager tab becomes visible. 10

11. Enabling the Variable Manager
Click on the Variable Manager tab
Then click on the Show Variable Manager Interface checkbox at the bottom of the window. 11

12. Using the Variable Manager
In the Variable Manager window, there are two tabs that are used: Pools and Variables. 12

13. Creating Pools
In the Pools tab, you can create a pool of numbers, strings, or IP addresses.
For the Number pool, you can create a pool of numbers ranging from Min to Max.
For the Strings pool, you can create a pool of strings separated by a semicolon ";". The Strings pool can be a list of IP addresses, text strings, or even numbers where the pool is non-continuous.
For the IP Address pool, you can create a pool of IP addresses with the network address, mask address, and the range of IP addresses. 13

14. Example of Pools
Note the 1st IP Address & Last IP Address shown are the network and broadcast address. These addresses can be changed manually. 14

15. Creating Variables
In the Variables tab, you can create the variables which are drawn from an entire range of values, a random value, or element position from any of the three types of pools already mentioned. 15

16. Example of Variables 16

17. Assigning Variables
With Show Variable Manager Interface enabled, you can set or assign variables in the Instructions text, Assessment Items, and Initial Items.
In the Answer Network panel, place the cursor where you want the variable to be placed at and then click on the Insert "< " button in the Variable Manager Interface. 17

18. Assigning Variables
Variables can also be typed directly into the Assessment Items to create complex variables. As seen in this Regular Expression (using C++ format). 18

19. Assigning Variables
In the Assessment Items and Initial Items, only the items marked with a green dot can be assigned a variable. A solid dot represents a variable that is in use. 19

20. Assigning Display Names as Variables
Assigning display names for devices is done by going to the Answer Network and clicking on Show Answer Network. Then manually replace the default name by clicking into the name field and typing the variable name enclosed in double brackets. 20

21. Assigning Variables
When assigning variables in the instructions, the variable tag is inserted into the HTML code. 21

22. So, the Variable Manager is…
The Variable Manager is an extension of the Activity Wizard.
Using the Variable Manager to create or modify an activity will create new activities with dynamic features that give students a variety of learning experiences.
Remember further information on Variable Manager can be obtained in the Advanced Tutorials.
Now it is time to practice using the Variable Manager. 22

23. Packet Tracer
Variable Manager
Demonstration and Hands-on Activity

24. Variable Manager Demonstration
So, where do we begin? We will start by examining an activity that has already been created:
Demonstration - Variable Manager Class C Subnetting.pka
This demonstration contains multiple scenarios, uses string variables, uses variables in the display names, and accepts any valid IP address within the proper subnet.
How does it work?
What do the variables and pools look like?
What could we change or add to modify the activity?
How could we modify the activity? 24

25. Variable Manager Activity
Activity - Variable Manager VLSM Activity.pka
We will begin this activity with a partially complete .pka file. In this activity we will complete the following items:
Convert a .pkt file to a .pka file
Enable the Variable Manager
Create Pools
Create Variables
Copy / Paste Instruction into the Activity
Insert variables into the Answer Network
Test the activity 25