Packet Tracer 3.2 Usage

The Activity Wizard

The Activity Wizard is an authoring tool that allows instructors to create highly specific networking scenarios for students to complete. (Note: anyone can make or run activity files; the terms "instructors" and "students" are used here for simplicity). When students start an Activity, they are presented with an initial network and a set of instructions. Students follow the instructions to complete the activity, after which they can check their finished network with the instructor's answer (or solution) network. Instructors have full control over all aspects of the activity. The typical sequence in making an activity is as follows:

- Create the answer network and decide which features students will be asked to complete.
- Create the initial network, which will be the student's starting point, typically the finished (complete) answer network with specific features missing (design activities), unconfigured devices (installation/operation activities), or misconfigured activities (troubleshooting)
- Using the locking mechanism, put constraints on the student's freedom to use certain features during the activity.
- Write a clear set of instructions for the activity
- Password protect the activity to prevent unauthorized changes to activity parameters.
- Save the activity.

You can access the Activity Wizard from the File menu. When you do so, you will be given the option to use the existing workspace as the answer network.

You will first be greeted with a welcome screen that explains the basic steps to create an activity (Similar to this page). You can then click on any of the side tabs to edit the various aspects of the activity

After going through the various panels to make the activity, selecting "Save" from the menu will allow you to save the activity (in the .pka file format).

Choosing Exit from the menu will exit the Activity Wizard. Note that the workspace will be cleared after you exit, so remember to save your files.

Previous

Activity Wizard (Main)
Instructions Panel
Answer Network Panel
Initial Network Panel
Setting a Password
Testing the Activity
Running Activity Files

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