Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Yz-6MqfDhkU?si=3RjqF5dqzbmNhpZ3

Install Cisco Packet Tracer on Arch Linux

This is an Arch Linux-only guide based on my video, How to Install Cisco Packet Tracer on Arch Linux (AUR) | Complete Step-by-Step Guide. It covers the Arch package prerequisites, AUR installation workflow, application launch, and basic troubleshooting.

The workflow is: update Arch Linux, install the AUR build tools, install or use yay, install the current Packet Tracer AUR package, launch Packet Tracer, and verify it with a small networking lab.

Video: Watch the full Cisco Packet Tracer installation walkthrough

Arch Linux Requirements

A working, updated 64-bit Arch Linux installation.
An active internet connection.
A normal user account with sudo access.
An AUR helper such as yay, or the ability to build an AUR package manually.
A Cisco Networking Academy account if the current Packet Tracer release requires sign-in.

Cisco Packet Tracer is distributed by Cisco. Accept the required application license through Cisco’s official resources, and use the Arch User Repository package only to automate installation of software you are entitled to use.

1. Update Arch Linux First

Update the system before building or installing an AUR package:

sudo pacman -Syu

Restart if the update includes a kernel or other core system components:

reboot

2. Install Arch AUR Build Tools

Install the packages needed to build AUR packages:

sudo pacman -S --needed base-devel git

If you already have yay, continue to the next step. Otherwise install it from the AUR:

git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/yay.git
cd yay
makepkg -si
cd ..
rm -rf yay

Review the PKGBUILD and any install prompts before allowing the package to build.

3. Install Packet Tracer from the Arch User Repository

Search for the current Packet Tracer package:

yay -Ss packettracer

Install the package that matches the current Cisco Packet Tracer release:

yay -S packettracer

The exact AUR package name can change. If packettracer is unavailable, search the AUR results and use the package maintained for the current release, checking its comments and build files first.

4. Launch Packet Tracer

Start it from the application menu, or try the command:

packettracer

On the first launch, accept the license terms if prompted and sign in with the account requested by the current Cisco release. If the application offers guest access, follow the current on-screen option.

5. Create a Test Lab

After Packet Tracer opens:

Create a new workspace.
Add a router, switch, and two end devices.
Connect the devices with suitable cables.
Assign IP addresses to the end devices.
Open the router or switch CLI and test the configuration.
Save the project as a .pkt file.

This confirms that the application launches, the device palette works, and projects can be saved correctly.

Troubleshooting

The AUR package cannot be found

Search again because package names and versions can change:

yay -Ss packettracer

Check the AUR page and Cisco release requirements before choosing another package.

The application does not launch

Run it from a terminal to see the error:

packettracer

Check whether the package installed successfully and whether all dependencies are present:

pacman -Qi packettracer

The window appears blank or closes

Update the system, relaunch from a terminal, and check the AUR package comments for current compatibility notes. Avoid downloading random replacement libraries from unofficial sites.

The command is not found

Find the installed files and desktop entry:

pacman -Ql packettracer | less

Launch the command shown by the installed package or use the application menu entry.