Then Cisco released Packet Tracer but made it available to only Cisco Network Academy students. You either used real hardware, which could be very expensive, or you used simulation tools like Boson NetSim. In the past, you as someone preparing for the CCNA exam had limited options for getting practical networking skills. While Cisco does not intend for Packet Tracer to be a replacement for real devices, this tool, even when used alone, can actually give you enough hands-on experience to prepare for certification exams such as CCNA Routing and Switching, CCNA Security and - if used properly - CompTIA Network+. Basically, it provides a platform for students to build, configure, troubleshoot and experiment with network topologies using simulated devices such as routers, switches, firewalls, access points and laptops. Cisco Packet Tracer is a simulation tool for network, security and other related technologies.
