Cisco Packet Tracer (part of Cisco Networking Academy) vs. Cisco VIRL (part of The Cisco Learning Network)

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Cisco Packet Tracer (part of Cisco Networking Academy)
Score 8.1 out of 10
N/A
This Introductory course is extremely helpful for anyone who plans to take one of the Networking Academy courses which utilizes the powerful simulation tool.N/A
Cisco VIRL (part of The Cisco Learning Network)
Score 8.0 out of 10
N/A
VIRL is a complete network simulation platform for testing, training, and learning.N/A
Pricing
Cisco Packet Tracer (part of Cisco Networking Academy)Cisco VIRL (part of The Cisco Learning Network)
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Cisco Packet Tracer (part of Cisco Networking Academy)Cisco VIRL (part of The Cisco Learning Network)
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
YesNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsCourse is offered free through Cisco Networking Academy.Contact vendor for pricing information.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Cisco Packet Tracer (part of Cisco Networking Academy)Cisco VIRL (part of The Cisco Learning Network)
Best Alternatives
Cisco Packet Tracer (part of Cisco Networking Academy)Cisco VIRL (part of The Cisco Learning Network)
Small Businesses

No answers on this topic

No answers on this topic

Medium-sized Companies
PRTG
PRTG
Score 8.5 out of 10
PRTG
PRTG
Score 8.5 out of 10
Enterprises
PRTG
PRTG
Score 8.5 out of 10
PRTG
PRTG
Score 8.5 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Cisco Packet Tracer (part of Cisco Networking Academy)Cisco VIRL (part of The Cisco Learning Network)
Likelihood to Recommend
8.0
(2 ratings)
8.0
(1 ratings)
Usability
9.0
(1 ratings)
8.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
Cisco Packet Tracer (part of Cisco Networking Academy)Cisco VIRL (part of The Cisco Learning Network)
Likelihood to Recommend
Cisco
It is well suited for practical knowledge gaining and doing experiment with it.
Read full review
Cisco
Cisco VIRL/CML is obviously very well suited if you want to lab practically any Cisco based network platform. It does a fantastic job of supporting almost all feature sets in a production appliance. It may not be the best option if you require a very multi-vendor intensive solution for labbing purposes.
Read full review
Pros
Cisco
  • Real time data monitoring
  • Packet analysis
  • Network geolocation design
Read full review
Cisco
  • It allows for labbing complex environment topologies
  • Interconnecting virtual nodes, which emulate network appliances, is extremely easy and intuitive
  • Assuming you meet the minimum hardware requirements to run the virtual images, the nodes run relatively fast
Read full review
Cons
Cisco
  • CLI, It would be great if we can use multiple tapes in a single window.
  • It is limited to Cisco products only, there is no integration with other companies.
  • Improve UI customisation and writing settings.
Read full review
Cisco
  • Better support for multi-vendor labs. Since Cisco VIRLs uses KVM as its hypervisor, not all vendor images will be fully supported in the Cisco VIRL/CML environment. For these particular use cases, it's sometimes better to use GNS3 or EVE-NG.
  • Since there are several free offerings out there that allow you to emulate network appliances (especially Cisco IOS based devices), I would love to see Cisco offer more cost-effective alternatives to engineers over their current pricing model.
Read full review
Usability
Cisco
It is helpful for learning networking and easy to understand. UI was user friendly and can help the people to learn. UI can have more chance for the upgradation
Read full review
Cisco
Cisco VIRL is a great network environment emulation tool when it comes to Cisco devices. However, I have run into some issues when trying to integrate other vendors virtual images into the Cisco VIRL/CML environment. For those specific use cases, I have had better luck with other emulation platforms like EVE-NG.
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
Cisco
In the comparison with the Cisco Packet Tracer there is no much applications existing. But the UI and application was not up to the mark.
Read full review
Cisco
Cisco VIRL/CML provides a similar emulation environment to GNS3 and EVE-NG but I would argue that it's the best when it specifically comes to Cisco network appliances. This is because you will have access to latest Cisco virtual images with the best support in regards to current feature sets. If you run into any issues, you can also get support from Cisco. The same can't be said about free emulation programs like GNS3 or EVE-NG. However, when it comes to multi-vendor labbing, I have found better success with EVE-NG.
Read full review
Return on Investment
Cisco
  • Reduce the cost of expenditures
  • Increase flexibility
Read full review
Cisco
  • It has allowed me to avoid mistakes when implementing changes on Cisco devices
  • It has allowed me to better plan new network change implementations
  • It has allowed me to be more confident in my network designs by providing me with a predictive model where I can gauge the effect that certain changes and new technology features will have on my network
Read full review
ScreenShots