Your Network Engineering Student Toolkit
Professional / Certification • Chromebook
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.
On a Chromebook, this shows web apps and Android apps. Many Chromebooks can also run Linux apps; choose Linux to see those.
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.
No tools for this combination yet. Try another computer or level.
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.