INTRODUCTION

headerimage

Cisco Packet Tracer is a powerful network simulation tool developed by Cisco, widely used for learning and practicing networking concepts without the need for physical hardware. It allows students, network enthusiasts, and IT professionals to design, configure, and troubleshoot virtual networks in a safe environment.

While Cisco officially provides Packet Tracer for Windows and Ubuntu/Debian-based Linux distributions, running it on Arch Linux requires a few extra steps due to differences in libraries and package management. In this guide, we’ll walk through the process of installing and configuring Packet Tracer on Arch Linux, including handling dependencies, setting up AppImage execution, and ensuring a smooth, fully functional setup.

By following this tutorial, you’ll be able to run Packet Tracer seamlessly on your Arch system, enabling you to practice networking concepts, experiment with configurations, and document your learning efficiently.

SETUP GUIDE

Step 1 : Install Required Dependencies

sudo pacman -S git base-devel axel 

git   : clone the source code from aur repository

base-devel : group of  basic tools for compiling source code

axel : For faster download of files

Step 2 : Clone the source code

git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/packettracer
cd packettracer #move inside the packettracer director

Step 3 : Get the .deb file

This Downloads the deb file for Cisco Packet Tracer to current directory which is packettracer

axel --num-connections=8 --output CiscoPacketTracer_900_Ubuntu_64bit.deb  --verbose
https://archive.org/download/packettracer900/CiscoPacketTracer_900_Ubuntu_64bit.deb

Step 4 : Compile and Build the Cisco packet Tracer from source code

Note : Keep The .deb file in the packettracer directory clone from aur arch repository

makepkg -sirc

Step 5 : If desktop icons not created automatically…

Create a manual .desktop file and save it to /usr/share/application

[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Name=Cisco Packet Tracer
Comment=Newtrok Simulation
Exec=/usr/lib/packettracer/packettracer.AppImage
Icon=/path/to/iconfile
Terminal=false
StartupNotify=true
Keywords=simplex;chat;anonymous;
Categories=Office;

use below command to update the desktop menu entries

update-desktop-database /usr/share/applications/

If feeling to lazy u can to carry out this steps i have premade script for complete setup . For the script contact me any of the platform in my contact section

Conclusion

Installing Cisco Packet Tracer on Arch Linux requires a few additional steps compared to Debian-based systems, but with the right dependencies and AUR build process, the setup becomes straightforward and reliable. By following this guide, you can successfully compile and run Packet Tracer on your Arch system, create a functional desktop entry, and ensure a smooth user experience.

Whether you’re practicing networking concepts, preparing for Cisco certifications, or exploring virtual network setups, this installation provides a stable environment for all your learning needs. If you prefer an automated approach, feel free to contact me for a ready-to-use setup script.