Your Network Engineering Student Toolkit
Postgraduate • Windows
Beginner-friendly network simulation, analysis and remote-access tools for networking students.
Who this toolkit is for
For networking students, including those studying for Cisco-style qualifications. Start with simulation and the built-in tools; add advanced labs later.
Essential (5)
Core tools that are broadly useful.
Virtual Labs
Most practical networking coursework happens in a simulator or emulator, so this is usually the first thing to install.
Why you may need this: Simulate networks to practise routing, switching and subnetting; needs a free Networking Academy account.
Visit Official Website
Packet Analysis
Seeing real packets is the quickest way to understand what each protocol in your modules actually does.
WiresharkOpen Source
Why you may need this: Learn how protocols work by inspecting traffic in your own lab.
Winget (verified)winget install --id WiresharkFoundation.Wireshark --exact --source winget
Connectivity
The most basic and most used troubleshooting check, already built into every operating system.
- pingBuilt into Windows
Why you may need this: Check whether a device responds; built into Windows.
ping example.comMicrosoft documentation
Research / Citation
Keep references organised for reports and dissertations.
ZoteroOpen SourceAlso on iPhone/iPad
Why you may need this: Organise research sources and generate citations for coursework and dissertations.
Visit Official Website
Office / Documents
Lab reports and coursework.
LibreOfficeOpen Source
Why you may need this: A free office suite for essays, spreadsheets and presentations.
Winget (verified)winget install --id TheDocumentFoundation.LibreOffice --exact --source winget
Recommended (6)
Useful for particular parts of the work or course.
Routing
Shows the path traffic takes, which makes routing theory concrete.
- tracertBuilt into Windows
Why you may need this: See the path traffic takes; built into Windows.
tracert example.comMicrosoft documentation
DNS
Query DNS directly to see how names are resolved.
- nslookupBuilt into Windows
Why you may need this: Check how names resolve to addresses; built into Windows.
nslookup example.comMicrosoft documentation
Network Discovery
Find the hosts and services on your lab network. Only scan networks you own or are permitted to use.
NmapOpen Source
Why you may need this: Discover devices on lab networks you're authorised to scan.
Winget (verified)winget install --id Insecure.Nmap --exact --source winget
Remote Access
Connect to routers, switches and servers over SSH, and to device consoles over serial.
- PuTTY
Open Source
Why you may need this: Connect to devices and servers over SSH and serial.
Winget (verified)winget install --id PuTTY.PuTTY --exact --source winget - OpenSSH
Open Source
Why you may need this: Connect securely to lab servers.
Visit Official Website
Documentation
Topology diagrams are expected in most networking assignments.
draw.io DesktopOpen Source
Why you may need this: Draw network diagrams for assignments.
Winget (verified)winget install --id JGraph.Draw --exact --source winget
Specialist / Optional · Show specialist tools (2)
Consider these for particular modules, tasks or environments.
Virtual Labs
Most practical networking coursework happens in a simulator or emulator, so this is usually the first thing to install.
- GNS3
Open Source
Why you may need this: Build advanced virtual labs with emulated devices.
Visit Official Website
Notes for Network Engineering students
Networking courses are built around labs. At college level and in the first year of a degree, Cisco Packet Tracer is the usual starting point; it needs a free Cisco Networking Academy account. Later modules and certification study often move to GNS3, which emulates real devices but needs router and switch images that you or your institution must obtain legitimately.
Your main computer matters less than on many courses. Packet Tracer, GNS3, Wireshark and Nmap all run on Windows, macOS and Linux, and every operating system includes ping, traceroute and an SSH client. A serial console cable and PuTTY are worth having once you start working with physical equipment.
Only scan or capture traffic on lab networks or networks you are permitted to use.
Course requirements vary. Software requirements differ between schools, colleges, universities and modules. Check your course materials before purchasing software.
Build your student setup
Build My Setup lets you add or remove apps, see why each is included and, where verified packages exist, get one install command. Nothing is installed automatically.