How to setup Cisco Packet Tracer on a remote server
Published: 2022-08-16 21:07:43

---
title: How to setup Cisco Packet Tracer on a remote server
published: true
date: 2020-09-02 20:56:59 UTC
tags: 
canonical_url: https://blog.livialima.net/how-to-setup-cisco-packet-tracer-on-a-remote-server
---

[https://youtu.be/JZQOX3Bj9dY](https://youtu.be/JZQOX3Bj9dY)

## Step Zero : Requirements

- An [AWS account](https://aws.amazon.com/getting-started/)
- A Cisco [Network Academy](http://netacad.com) account
- A RDP client of your choice

## Step 1 : Launch an EC2 instance

**Launch a Windows instance:**

- Navigate to EC2 in the AWS Console.
- Click **Launch Instance**.
- Select a free-tier eligible **Windows** image.
- Click **Next** - leave the **Instance Type** panel as is.
- Click **Next** - leave the **Instance Details** panel as is.
- Click **Next** - leave the **Storage** panel as is.
- Click **Add Tag**. Set key to **Name** and value to the name you choose to your instance. (Optional step)
- Click **Next**.

![aws-ec2-create-instance.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1658774131786/chESLjlc-.png)

**Create a Security Group:**

- Assign a security group: **Create a new security group**
- Set the security group name and description as you choose.
- Type: **RDP**
- Protocol: **TCP**
- Port Range: **3389**
- Source: **My IP**
- Description: (optional)
- Click **Review and Launch**.
- Click **Launch**.

![aws-ec2-sg-rdp.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1658774112254/tkC4nXHa2.png)

**Create a Key Pair:**

- Select: **Create a new key pair**
- Set the key pair name as you choose.
- Click **Download Key Pair**
- Click **Launch Instances**

![aws-ec2-keypair.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1658774092728/XlB7rNcTEq.png)

**Connect to instance:**

- Back to EC2 Instances panel in the AWS Console.
- Select the instance.
- Click **Connect**.
- Connection method: **A standalone RDP client**
- At the RDP client of your choice, input the details provided.
- Target: **Public DNS**
- User name **Administrator**
- Password: Click **Get Password**
- Key Pair Path: Click **Browse** to select the keypair downloaded on the previous step.
- Click **Decrypt Password**
- **Connect**.

![aws-ec2-connect-rdp.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1658774068360/memCqWA27.png)

## Step 2 : Install Cisco Packet Tracer on the instance

**Download/Install Cisco Packet Tracer:**

- Inside the server, open a browser and login to: **netacad.com**
- Click **Resources**
- Click **Download Packet Tracer**
- Download the **Windows 64 Bit** version.
- **Run** the file downloaded.
- Accept the agreement. Click **Next** ; **Next** ; **Next** ; **Next** ; **Install** ; **Finish**

## Step 3 : Enjoy!

Now you have the Cisco Packet Tracer installed and ready to go!

![aws-ec2-windows-pt.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1658774005790/auL_P3lh5.png)

## Step 4 : But before you go... save your work!(and some money)

Don't leave your instance running without any purpose. Save your instance (all configured and tweaked) to use it whenever you're up to lab again.

**Save your files:**

Install the AWS CLI as instructed on the [User Guide](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/userguide/install-cliv2-windows.html)

**Create a S3 bucket:**

```
aws s3 mb s3://mybucket/

```

Upload the files to the bucket:

```
aws s3 cp local-file s3://mybucket/

```

You can also pull files from the bucket:

```
aws s3 cp s3://mybucket/remote-file /local-folder/

```

**Create an AMI**

- Back to EC2 Instances panel in the AWS Console.
- Select the instance.
- Click **Actions** ; **Image** ; **Create Image**

Your AMIs will be available on the EC2 Images panel in the AWS Console.

![aws-ec2-ami.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1658774353026/_d9C_KhRR.png)

**Don't forget to terminate your instance!**

- Back to EC2 Instances panel in the AWS Console.
- Select the instance.
- Click **Actions** ; **Instance State** ; **Terminate**
- Click **Yes, Terminate**