The Logical Workspace

The Logical Workspace is where you will spend the majority of your time building and configuring your network. In conjunction with Realtime Mode, you can use this workspace to complete many of the labs you encounter in your CCNA coursework.

First, you will want to create devices. This is done by choosing devices from the Network Component box. Then, you can do any of the following:

- Add modules to your devices to install additional interfaces. Note that you must turn off a device (by clicking its power button) before you can add a module.
- Connect your devices by choosing the appropriate cables (also found in the Network Component box).
- Configure device parameters (such as the device name and IP address) through graphical dialogue boxes or the Cisco IOS (in the case of routers and switches).
- Make advanced configurations and view network information from the CLI interface on a router or switch.

Creating Devices

To place a device onto the workspace, first choose a device type from the Device-Type Selection box. Then, click on the desired device model from the Device-Specific Selection box. Finally, click on a location in the workspace to put your device in that location. If you want to cancel your selection, press the Cancel icon for that device. Alternatively, you can click and drag a device from the Device-Specific Selection box onto the workspace. You can also click and drag a device directly from the Device-Type Selection box and a default device model will be chosen for you.

To quickly create many instances of the same device, press and hold the Ctrl button, click on the device in the Device-Specific Selection box, and then release the Ctrl button. The device is now locked and you can click on the workspace multiple times to add multiple copies of the device. Cancel this operation by pressing the Cancel icon for that device. To duplicate devices, you can press and hold the Ctrl button and then drag a device on the workspace or select the devices and then use the Copy and Paste buttons.

Adding Modules

Most Packet Tracer 5.1 devices have modular bays or slots into which you can insert modules. In the workspace, click on a device to bring up its configuration window. By default, you will be in the Physical Device View subpanel of the device. An interactive picture of the device is on the right of the panel, and a list of compatible modules is on the left. You can resize the picture with the Zoom In, Original Size, and Zoom Out buttons. You can also resize the entire configuration window by dragging its borders with the mouse. Alternatively, you can undock the window so that you can move it around and freely resize it. You can browse (by clicking) through the list of modules and read their description in the information box at the bottom. When you have found the module you want to add, simply drag it from the list into a compatible bay on the device picture. You can remove a module by dragging it from the device back into the list.

You must turn off a device (by clicking its power button) before you can add or remove modules, and you should turn the device back on after you are done.

Creating Custom Devices

The Device Template Manager allows you to save devices as templates and create devices from saved templates. For example, you may save a template of a Cisco 2621XM router with an NM-2FE2W and two WIC-2T modules already installed. To create a device template, first add the device and the appropriate modules that you want as would before. Once you have done that, click on the Custom Devices Dialog on the Main Tool Bar to open the Device Template Manager. Click on the Select button in the Device Template Manager. The Device Template Manager will disappear. Now click on the device that you want to make a template of. The Device Template Manager will reappear. Enter a description for the template (e.g., 2621XM with NM-2FE2W and (2) WIC-2T). Click on the Add button. Packet Tracer 5.1 will prompt you to save your device template. Browse to the 'templates' directory in the Packet Tracer installation directory, give it a file name, and save your device template file there.

To add a custom device on the Logical Workspace, click on the Custom Made Devices icon in the Device-Type Selection Box to display the custom devices in the Device-Specific Selection Box. Here you will find all of the device templates that have been created. You can then add the custom devices to the Logical Workspace as you would with other devices as described in the Creating Devices section above.

To remove a custom device on the Logical Workspace, click on the Custom Devices Dialog on the Main Tool Bar to open the Device Template Manager. Under the Edit section, select the device template that you want to remove in the drop down menu and then click on the Remove button. The device template file that was saved in the 'templates' directory will be removed as well.

Making Connections

To make a connection between two devices, first click the Connections icon from the Device-Type Selection box to bring up the list of available connections. Then click the appropriate cable type. The mouse pointer will change into a "connection" cursor. Click on the first device and choose an appropriate interface to which to connect. Then click on the second device and do the same. A connection cable will appear between the two devices, along with link lights showing the link status on each end (for interfaces that have link lights). For a full list of connections supported in Packet Tracer 5.1, please read the "Connections/Links" help page.

To quickly make many connections of the same type, press and hold the Ctrl button, click on a cable type in the Device-Specific Selection box, and release the Ctrl button. The connection cursor is now locked and you can repeatedly make the same connection type between devices. Cancel this operation by pressing the Cancel icon for the cable type.

Logical Topology Editing Tools

You can use the tools in the Main Tool Bar, Logical/Physical Workspace Bar, and Common Tools Bar to edit and annotate your topology.

Tool | Use
Copy | Copy the selected items.
Paste | Paste the selected items.
Undo | Undo the previous action.
Zoom In | Zoom in the workspace.
Zoom Reset | Reset the zoom back to default.
Zoom Out | Zoom in the workspace.
Palette | Create lines, rectangles, and ellipses.
New Cluster | Refer to the "Clustering Devices" section below for information.
Move Object | Refer to the "Clustering Devices" section below for information.
Set Tiled Background | Set a tiled background on the workspace.
Viewport | View a scaled version of the workspace.
Select | Click objects and drag them around. This is the default tool. You can also select multiple objects by holding down the mouse button and then dragging your cursor over them. This action draws a rectangle around the objects so you can drag all of them simultaneously. Press the keyboard Esc key for quick access to this tool.
Move Layout | Move your entire workspace around with the click-and-drag mouse action.
Place Note | Write and place sticky notes anywhere on the workspace.
Delete | Delete objects from the workspace. When you select the Delete tool, the mouse cursor will change into an "X." You can then click on any object (a device, connection, or note) that you wish to delete.
Inspect | Look at tables of a device (such as ARP and MAC tables) that have been modeled in this version of Packet Tracer.
Add Simple PDU | Refer to the "Simulation Mode" help section for information.
Add Complex PDU | Refer to the "Simulation Mode" help section for information.

Configuring Devices

To make most of the devices useful, you need to configure some basic settings (for example, an interface IP address and subnet mask). You can set basic parameters through the GUI configuration screen of the device (click the Config tab from the configuration window). Different devices have different settings available. Refer to each help page of the device for detailed information.

Cisco IOS: Routers and Switches

For routers and switches, you will have access to a model of the Cisco IOS with a limited set of commands. You can use the software to make advanced configurations and view various network information in real time (if you are in Realtime Mode). Here are a few examples of the commands available to you: ping, traceroute, show interfaces, ip access-list, and switchport access vlan. Refer to the "Configuring Devices" section of the help files for all supported Cisco IOS commands.

Clustering Devices

Clustering devices allows you to simplify the appearance of the Logical Workspace by visually reducing a group of devices and connections into a single image. By default, all devices are created on the Logical Workspace are located in the Root level, which is indicated on the Logical/Physical Workspace Bar. You may reduce the amount of clutter on the workspace by clustering multiple devices together with the New Cluster feature. To cluster a group of devices, select the devices on the workspace and then click on the New Cluster button. You can then click on the newly created cluster to go inside its lower level (i.e., Cluster0 by default) and create subclusters within the main cluster as well. You may also rename the cluster by clicking on its label to enable the label textbox. You can navigate between levels by clicking on the appropriate level on the Navigation Bar. Note that only up to four levels of clustering hierarchy are available with the Logical Workspace (including Root level). To uncluster a group of devices, highlight the cluster and then delete it with the Delete tool.

Once you create a cluster, you can make connections to devices in a cluster. To make a connection to devices in a cluster, you first select the connection type and then the cluster. A menu showing the devices in the cluster appears, allowing you to select a device. When you select the device, a menu showing the available interfaces appears. Select the interface and a connection is made if the selected connection type and interface are compatible.

Also, when you can create a cluster, you can move objects and devices within the cluster hierarchy with the Move Object button. To do so, click on the Move Object button and then select an object or device. This opens a menu showing the cluster hierarchy. You can then select the location to which the object should be moved.

Managing Workspace Clutter (Docking/Undocking Subwindows)

There may be times when you need multiple windows open on your screen (especially when you start running simulations and have to keep track of many things at once). To minimize the visual clutter, you can arrange popup and sub-windows in various ways. Many windows can be docked to or undocked (floated) from the workspace. You can drag floating windows (via their title bar) and dock them to the left, right, or bottom edge of the workspace. Simply drag a window by its title bar until your cursor is near an edge and then release the mouse button. The window will dock to that edge. To undock a window, drag the window by its docked title bar and move it out of the workspace edge to anywhere on your screen.

Some more hints regarding docking and undocking windows: In a docked position, the title bar of a window is unnamed; the window may be at the top or left border. Use the Close button (x) on the window as a hint to where the title bar is. You can double click the title bar of a window to quickly toggle between the docked or undocked state. If there is already another window at an edge, you can dock a second window next to that first window. If you do not want a window to dock anywhere as you drag it around, press and hold the Ctrl key as you drag it.