Day 1 Setup — Follow Along

Lab Setup Guide

Everything you need to get your lab environment ready on Day 1. Follow the steps in order. If something goes wrong, check the troubleshooting section at the bottom before asking for help.

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What is Packet Tracer?
Cisco Packet Tracer is a free network simulation tool. You'll use it to build virtual networks, configure routers and switches, and test connectivity — all without touching real hardware. It's the same tool used in Cisco's official CCNA curriculum.
Installation Steps Windows · macOS · Linux
1
Create a Free Cisco NetAcad Account
Go to netacad.com and click Sign Up. Use your school email if you have one. This account is free and gives you access to Packet Tracer and Cisco's free learning content.
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Tip
Write down your login — you'll use it all year.
2
Download Packet Tracer
After logging in, go to Skills for All → Download Packet Tracer. Choose the version that matches your operating system: Windows (64-bit), macOS, or Linux (.deb).
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File Size
The installer is approximately 160–180MB. Download on school Wi-Fi if your home connection is slow.
3
Run the Installer
Windows: Double-click the .exe and accept the license agreement. Click Next through all prompts — default settings are correct.

macOS: Open the .dmg, drag Packet Tracer to your Applications folder.

Linux: Open a terminal and run:
Terminalsudo dpkg -i CiscoPacketTracer_*.deb
4
Launch and Log In
Open Packet Tracer. When prompted, choose Log In with Skills for All and enter the NetAcad credentials you created in Step 1. You must be logged in to save and submit lab files.
5
Test It — Build a Simple Network
In the bottom toolbar, drag two PC devices and one Switch onto the canvas. Connect them with a straight-through cable. If the connections show green lights, you're ready.
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Quick Test
If link lights stay red/orange, try switching the cable type to Copper Cross-Over between two PCs connected directly.
Setup Verification Checklistclick each item when complete
NetAcad account created and verified
Packet Tracer downloaded for my OS
Installer ran without errors
Logged in with NetAcad account inside Packet Tracer
Built a test network — green link lights visible
Saved a test file (.pkt) successfully
Troubleshooting
"Login failed" or can't connect to NetAcad▼
Make sure you're using the email and password from netacad.com — not a Google or social login. If you just created the account, check your email for a verification link first. School firewalls occasionally block Cisco's login servers — try on your phone's hotspot to test.
Packet Tracer won't install on Windows▼
Right-click the installer and choose "Run as Administrator." If Windows Defender blocks it, click "More info" → "Run anyway." The software is safe — Defender sometimes flags new installers from unfamiliar publishers.
Link lights are red after connecting devices▼
Red lights usually mean the cable type is wrong. PC-to-Switch connections use straight-through cables (the default). PC-to-PC direct connections need a cross-over cable. Also wait 30–60 seconds after connecting — Packet Tracer simulates Spanning Tree Protocol which takes time to converge.
Can't save .pkt file▼
You must be logged in to your NetAcad account for saving to work. Click File → Log In and re-enter your credentials. Also make sure you're saving to a folder you have write access to (Desktop or Documents, not Program Files).
Packet Tracer is slow or crashing▼
Packet Tracer requires at least 4GB RAM. Close other applications while running it. If your device has less than 4GB RAM, let Mr. Ngo know — we have options including using school lab computers or a lighter web-based alternative for some activities.
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What is a Virtual Machine?
A virtual machine (VM) is a computer running inside your computer. We'll use VMs to safely practice security techniques — malware analysis, system hardening, and penetration testing — without risk to your real system. Think of it as a disposable sandbox.
Step 1 — Install VirtualBox free · Oracle · Windows / macOS / Linux
1
Download VirtualBox
Go to virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads and download the installer for your OS. Also download the VirtualBox Extension Pack from the same page — you'll need it for USB support.
2
Install VirtualBox
Run the installer with default settings. On Windows, it will ask to install network drivers — click Yes/Allow. Your network connection may briefly disconnect during this step — that's normal.
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macOS Note
On newer macOS, you may need to go to System Settings → Privacy & Security and allow VirtualBox's kernel extension. Restart your Mac after approving.
3
Install the Extension Pack
Open VirtualBox, go to File → Tools → Extension Pack Manager, click Install, and select the .vbox-extpack file you downloaded. Accept the license agreement.
Step 2 — Create an Ubuntu VM free Linux OS · beginner friendly
1
Download Ubuntu ISO
Go to ubuntu.com/download/desktop and download the latest LTS version (the one labeled "LTS" — Long Term Support). The file is about 5GB.
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Tip
Download this at home on a fast connection or at school before lab day. Don't wait until class starts.
2
Create a New VM in VirtualBox
Open VirtualBox and click New. Configure it with these settings:
Recommended Settings Name: Ubuntu-Lab
Type: Linux
Version: Ubuntu (64-bit)
RAM: 2048 MB minimum (4096 MB recommended)
Storage: 20 GB (dynamically allocated)
3
Attach the Ubuntu ISO
With your VM selected, click Settings → Storage. Under "Controller: IDE", click the empty disc icon, then click the disc icon on the right and choose "Choose a disk file". Select the Ubuntu .iso you downloaded.
4
Start the VM and Install Ubuntu
Click Start. Ubuntu will boot from the ISO. Choose "Install Ubuntu", select Normal Installation, and follow the prompts. When asked about installation type, choose "Erase disk and install Ubuntu" — this only erases the virtual disk, not your real computer.
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Time
Installation takes 10–20 minutes. Do this before lab day — not during class.
5
Install Guest Additions
After Ubuntu installs and boots, go to Devices → Insert Guest Additions CD Image. This enables full-screen mode, shared clipboard, and better performance. Follow the prompts inside Ubuntu to install.
Setup Verification Checklistclick each item when complete
VirtualBox installed successfully
Extension Pack installed
Ubuntu ISO downloaded
VM created with correct settings
Ubuntu installed and boots successfully
Guest Additions installed — full screen works
Can open a terminal inside Ubuntu
Troubleshooting
"VT-x is not available" or virtualization error▼
This means CPU virtualization is disabled in your BIOS/UEFI. Restart your computer and enter BIOS setup (usually by pressing F2, F10, Del, or Esc during startup). Look for "Intel VT-x", "AMD-V", or "Virtualization Technology" and enable it. Save and restart.
VM is very slow or lagging▼
In VirtualBox settings for your VM: increase RAM to at least 2048MB, increase Video Memory to 128MB under Display, and make sure 3D Acceleration is enabled. Also close other applications while the VM is running.
Ubuntu screen is small and won't resize▼
Guest Additions may not be installed or may need to be reinstalled. Go to Devices → Insert Guest Additions CD Image inside your running VM, then run the installer inside Ubuntu. After restarting the VM, View → Auto-resize Guest Display should work.
No internet inside the VM▼
Check your VM's network settings: Settings → Network → Adapter 1 should be set to NAT (not Bridged or Host-only). NAT mode shares your host computer's internet connection with the VM. Click OK and restart the VM.
My computer doesn't have enough space▼
The VM needs about 25GB of free disk space. If you don't have it, let Mr. Ngo know — we can use school lab computers for VM labs, or reduce the VM disk size to 15GB during setup. Don't delete important files just for this.