Networking/CCNA Part 5: How to Install Cisco Packet Tracer: Ubuntu 24.04, Windows, and macOS

Installing Cisco Packet Tracer on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, Windows, and macOS

There are multiple tools that we can use for simulation of a Cisco network lab e.g. gns3, Cisco packet tracker. For a quick start, we will be using Cisco Packet Tracer, which is an essential tool for networking students and professionals. While Windows and macOS installations are generally straightforward, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS users face specific dependency challenges because newer Linux versions have phased out older libraries. This guide covers the installation process for all three major operating systems.

---

1. Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (The Linux Fix)

Ubuntu 24.04 has removed some legacy libraries that Packet Tracer needs to run. Follow these steps to resolve the dependency issues.

Step 1: Install Missing Legacy Libraries

Open your terminal and run the following commands to download and install the required libgl1 package from the Ubuntu 22.04 archives:

# Download the legacy library
wget [http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/m/mesa/libgl1-mesa-glx_23.0.4-0ubuntu1~22.04.1_amd64.deb](http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/m/mesa/libgl1-mesa-glx_23.0.4-0ubuntu1~22.04.1_amd64.deb)

# Install the downloaded package
sudo dpkg -i libgl1-mesa-glx_23.0.4-0ubuntu1~22.04.1_amd64.deb

# Install the cursor library (required for the GUI)
sudo apt install libxcb-cursor0

Step 2: Install Packet Tracer

Navigate to your Downloads folder (or wherever your .deb file is located) and run:

sudo dpkg -i CiscoPacketTracer_822_Ubuntu_64bit_signed.deb

# If you see errors about other dependencies, run this to fix them:
sudo apt-get install -f 

2. Windows 10 & 11

The Windows installation is the most straightforward and usually requires no extra troubleshooting:

• Download the Installer: Get the .exe file from NetAcad.**
• Run as Administrator: Double-click the installer and grant permissions.
• Follow the Wizard: Accept the license agreement and click Next through the prompts.
• Launch: Open Packet Tracer and log in using your Networking Academy or Skills For All account.
• Cisco Packet Tracer is a must-have tool for any IT professional or CCNA student. While the Windows and macOS installations are fairly standard, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS requires some specific terminal commands to fix missing dependencies.

3. macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon)

Packet Tracer works on both Intel and M-series chips (M1/M2/M3) using macOS, here are steps to install:

• Open the DMG: Double-click the downloaded .dmg file and run the .pkg installer inside.
• Security Gatekeeper: If macOS says the developer cannot be verified: Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security. > Scroll down to find the “Open Anyway” button for Packet Tracer. > Finish Setup: Complete the installation and launch it from your Applications folder.

Summary Cheat Sheet

Platform	Format	Key Requirement
Ubuntu 24.04	.deb	Manual install of libgl1-mesa-glx
Windows 10/11	.exe	Standard Admin privileges
macOS	.dmg	Privacy & Security permission

Troubleshooting

• Login Loop: If the login window keeps popping up, ensure your default web browser is updated. Packet Tracer uses the browser for OAuth.
• No Icon on Linux: If the application doesn’t show in your app drawer, try launching it via terminal with the command packettracer.

Happy Networking!