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@siliconjesus
Last active July 27, 2023 04:26
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Getting the Packet Tracer 8 package to work on Fedora Core 33. (Apparently is works on FC34 as well).
Problem: I'm enrolled in a class that needs to use Packet Tracer for my school work. Cisco provides a Linux package, but its a Debian package (deb).
Tried to use alien to convert from .deb to .rpm, but found this solution for Packet Tracer 7.3. Adapted for Packet Tracer 8 on Fedora 33.
Starting point:
https://ask.fedoraproject.org/t/how-to-install-new-cisco-packet-tracer-7-3-on-fedora-31-workstation/6047/8
Alien aborts due to conflicts (probably can be overcome)
Environment: Fedora 33 // Packet Tracer 8.0
rm -rf /opt/pt
rm -rf /usr/share/applications/cisco*.desktop
rm -rf /usr/share/applications/cisco*.desktop
rm -rf /usr/share/icons/hicolor/48x48/apps/pt7.png // may need to update for PT8
mkdir ~/pt80
cp ~/Downloads/PacketTracer_800_amd64_build212_final.deb ~/pt80
cd ~/pt80
# Extract debian image using the 'ar' command
ar -xv PacketTracer_800_amd64_build212_final.deb
mkdir control
mkdir data
tar -C control -Jxf control.tar.xz
tar -C data -Jxf data.tar.xz
cd data
sudo cp -r usr /
sudo cp -r opt /
# gnome stuff -
sudo xdg-desktop-menu install /usr/share/applications/cisco-pt.desktop
sudo xdg-desktop-menu install /usr/share/applications/cisco-ptsa.desktop
sudo update-mime-database /usr/share/mime
sudo gtk-update-icon-cache --force --ignore-theme-index /usr/share/icons/gnome
sudo xdg-mime default cisco-ptsa.desktop x-scheme-handler/pttp
ln -sf /opt/pt/PacketTracer /usr/local/bin/PacketTracer
### ERROR
Fatal: This Application Failed To Start Because No Qt Platform Plugin Could Be Initialized. Reinstalling the application may fix this problem.
Available platform plugins are: linuxfb, xcb.
Aborted (core dumped)
### ldd shows nothing for me here. Reboot to see if it works in x11.
Works on Cinnamon / X11
@mariol03
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mariol03 commented Nov 8, 2021

Login screen white on Fedora 35, tried login with the second option it opened a new tab in a browser and then in the browser logged in with netacad.

@MagicD3VIL
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PT doesn't launch for me. If I try to launch it directly via /opt/pt/bin/PacketTracer I get this error:

Qt WebEngine resources not found at /opt/pt/bin/resources. Trying parent directory...
Installed Qt WebEngine locales directory not found at location /opt/pt/bin/translations/qtwebengine_locales. Trying application directory...
Qt WebEngine resources not found at /opt/pt/bin/resources. Trying parent directory...
Installed Qt WebEngine locales directory not found at location /opt/pt/bin/translations/qtwebengine_locales. Trying application directory...
[160234:160234:1109/184920.483295:ERROR:extension_system_qt.cpp(121)] Failed to parse extension manifest.
fish: “./bin/PacketTracer” terminated by signal SIGSEGV (Address boundary error)

Any ideas? I'm running Mageia 8 with kernel 5.10.70-desktop-1.mga8

@Langoor2
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Was checking this for F35 support, but it seems rather broken. from what i read here. Gonna run a debian-based distro for now. I hope somebody will make a flatpak/snap for packettracer one day....

@siliconjesus
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Author

Thanks for the feedback @Langoor2 . Let me spin up a F35 VM and see if I can get it working again.

@jjackson107
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I'm having the same issue as @sm-moshi and @mariol03, Netacad login just gives a white screen and "Skills For All" will not actually launch my browser, so I can't get past login.
Any suggestions?

@dbarros-lab
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Same issue on Fedora 35 and PT 8.0.1. Can't get past the login screen. This sucks, doesn't it? I think we need a flatpak job on this one.

@minzords
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minzords commented Nov 26, 2021

Same issue on Fedora 35 and PT 8.0.1. Can't get past the login screen. This sucks, doesn't it? I think we need a flatpak job on this one.

Launch PacketTracer with --no-sandbox args

@dbarros-lab
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Same issue on Fedora 35 and PT 8.0.1. Can't get past the login screen. This sucks, doesn't it? I think we need a flatpak job on this one.

Launch PacketTracer with --no-sandbox args

It worked. OMG... almost wiped out the distro.

@Langoor2
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Same issue on Fedora 35 and PT 8.0.1. Can't get past the login screen. This sucks, doesn't it? I think we need a flatpak job on this one.

Launch PacketTracer with --no-sandbox args

It worked. OMG... almost wiped out the distro.

Love it, this indeed fixed it!
I edited the .desktop files and re-ran the xdg-menu scripts. I think it should work now

@jjackson107
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Working for me too. Just add --no-sandbox args to the end of the Exec line of /usr/share/cisco-pt.desktop:
Exec=/opt/pt/packettracer --no-sandbox args

@juanjexcabrera
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juanjexcabrera commented Dec 1, 2021

Thank's for the solution to run PT 8.0.1 on Fedora 35!

For anyone new to Linux (like me) wondering how and where to add the --no-sandbox args, these were the steps I took, I'm fairly new to Linux so I was scratching my head trying to figure it out, so bear with me:

Run these on a Terminal:

  1. sudo nano /usr/share/applications/cisco-pt.desktop
  2. search for the line that says Exec=/opt/pt/packettracer and add --no-sandbox args to the end of it. The whole line should say Exec=/opt/pt/packettracer --no-sandbox args.
  3. press ctrl+o and enter to save
  4. press ctrl+x to exit
  5. I repeated the same steps mentioned above for the file /usr/share/applications/cisco-ptsa.desktop just to be sure.

At this point the files are ready, but you still need to re-run the xdg-menu scripts

Run these on a Terminal:

  1. sudo xdg-desktop-menu install /usr/share/applications/cisco-pt.desktop
  2. sudo xdg-desktop-menu install /usr/share/applications/cisco-ptsa.desktop
  3. sudo update-mime-database /usr/share/mime
  4. sudo gtk-update-icon-cache --force --ignore-theme-index /usr/share/icons/gnome
  5. sudo xdg-mime default cisco-ptsa.desktop x-scheme-handler/pttp
  6. sudo ln -sf /opt/pt/PacketTracer /usr/local/bin/PacketTracer

I just re-ran all of them because I'm not exactly sure which ones are needed lol, I logged out and Packet Tracer is working normally and I was able to log in with my Cisco credentials.

@shady-mazen-mac
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It's Working method
image
the Copy past and some of Extract I did it manually

image

@michaaels
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michaaels commented Feb 1, 2022

@paraduxos
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On Fedora 35, when I click "Skills for all", nothing happen, no browser launch.
When I click "Log in with Cisco", it's worked (not blank screen), but I'm unable to login with this method.
(Sorry, we can't find a netacad account associated with this cisco account -- so many solutions online, but after they change to Skills for all, none of the solutions work).

So I would stick with Skills for all account.
What could be possible cause of "no browser launch".

@richardshiue
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Nothing happens for me when I click "skills for all" as well

@siliconjesus
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Author

I'm currently not updating this. Feel free to fork if you found this useful. I might update this in the future once I rebuild my lab.

@dewifirmandawardani
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Packet Tracer
hello,, i want to ask about install packet tracer.. in the end i install, i have some error.. i failed to create symbolic link '/usr/local/bin/PacketTracer'
i just want to ask, it's okay or not about the failed?

@Thisisaline
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Thisisaline commented Aug 11, 2022

Skills for All not launching the browser is happening again with Packet Tracer 8.2 on Fedora 36 even after previous fixes.. Any help would be appreciated.

@pabloflores465
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Does this method work on fedora 36 silverblue?

@NeKrokodilu
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Does this method work on fedora 36 silverblue?

I just tried it on a freshly installed Fedora 36 and it worked! Thanks so much to the person who wrote this guide!

@AibelNassif
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Silicon Jesus, you saved my life. Tryed with tons of youtube videos and foros and this is the only solution i found to install Packet Tracer 8.2 in my fedora 36 workstation. Only thing i did was changing the name in line 18 and 22 of the file to Cisco_Packet_Tracer_820_Ubuntu_64bit_696ae64b25.deb because it's different now and added sudo to line 37 "sudo ln -sf /opt/pt/PacketTracer /usr/local/bin/PacketTracer". but finally i can start with my ccna course. ty 4 all!!!

@siliconjesus
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Glad to hear it! Feel free to start up your own GIST with updated info if its helpful!

@EndsCreed
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Works on F34 TY!

Summary, for any new person who stumbles upon this

Step 1 - Download Packet Tracer (PT) from this link: -https://www.netacad.com/courses/packet-tracer

Step 2 -Once logged into netacad, at the top of the links click:

  • Resources > Download Cisco Packet Tracer

Step 3 - Scroll down until you find:

  • Ubuntu Desktop Version 8.0.1 English 64 Bit Download
  • Download the .deb file

Step 4: Navigate to where you downloaded the .deb file:

  • Right click a blank area in the folders section, select "Open in Terminal"
  • FROM THE TERMINAL, COPY AND PASTE:
    mkdir ~/PacketTracer8.0.1
    cp ~/Downloads/CiscoPacketTracer_801_Ubuntu_64bit.deb ~/PacketTracer8.0.1
    cd ~/PacketTracer8.0.1
    ar -xv CiscoPacketTracer_801_Ubuntu_64bit.deb
    mkdir control
    mkdir data
    tar -C control -Jxf control.tar.xz
    tar -C data -Jxf data.tar.xz
    cd data
    sudo cp -r usr /
    #STOP! COPY + PASTE FROM HERE, ENTER YOUR PASSWORD#
    sudo cp -r opt /

Step 5: Run the following commands:

  • FROM THE TERMINAL, COPY AND PASTE:
    sudo xdg-desktop-menu install /usr/share/applications/cisco-pt.desktop
    sudo xdg-desktop-menu install /usr/share/applications/cisco-ptsa.desktop
    sudo update-mime-database /usr/share/mime
    sudo gtk-update-icon-cache --force --ignore-theme-index /usr/share/icons/gnome
    sudo xdg-mime default cisco-ptsa.desktop x-scheme-handler/pttp
    sudo ln -sf /opt/pt/PacketTracer /usr/local/bin/PacketTracer

Step 6:

  • Reboot
  • Applications > Others > Launch Packet Tracer

This worked perfectly for me on Nobara 36!

@edier88
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edier88 commented Nov 12, 2022

Works on F34 TY!

Summary, for any new person who stumbles upon this

Step 1 - Download Packet Tracer (PT) from this link: -https://www.netacad.com/courses/packet-tracer

Step 2 -Once logged into netacad, at the top of the links click:

Resources > Download Cisco Packet Tracer

Step 3 - Scroll down until you find:

Ubuntu Desktop Version 8.0.1 English 64 Bit Download
Download the .deb file

Step 4: Navigate to where you downloaded the .deb file:

Right click a blank area in the folders section, select "Open in Terminal"
FROM THE TERMINAL, COPY AND PASTE:
mkdir ~/PacketTracer8.0.1
cp ~/Downloads/CiscoPacketTracer_801_Ubuntu_64bit.deb ~/PacketTracer8.0.1
cd ~/PacketTracer8.0.1
ar -xv CiscoPacketTracer_801_Ubuntu_64bit.deb
mkdir control
mkdir data
tar -C control -Jxf control.tar.xz
tar -C data -Jxf data.tar.xz
cd data
sudo cp -r usr /
#STOP! COPY + PASTE FROM HERE, ENTER YOUR PASSWORD#
sudo cp -r opt /

Step 5: Run the following commands:

FROM THE TERMINAL, COPY AND PASTE:
sudo xdg-desktop-menu install /usr/share/applications/cisco-pt.desktop
sudo xdg-desktop-menu install /usr/share/applications/cisco-ptsa.desktop
sudo update-mime-database /usr/share/mime
sudo gtk-update-icon-cache --force --ignore-theme-index /usr/share/icons/gnome
sudo xdg-mime default cisco-ptsa.desktop x-scheme-handler/pttp
sudo ln -sf /opt/pt/PacketTracer /usr/local/bin/PacketTracer

Step 6:

Reboot
Applications > Others > Launch Packet Tracer

I confirm this is also working in Fedora 36 like a charm!

@Abareil
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Abareil commented Apr 13, 2023

Thank you, it has been very helpful!!

@hard02
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hard02 commented Jul 27, 2023

Works on F34 TY!

Summary, for any new person who stumbles upon this

Step 1 - Download Packet Tracer (PT) from this link: -https://www.netacad.com/courses/packet-tracer

Step 2 -Once logged into netacad, at the top of the links click:

* Resources > Download Cisco Packet Tracer

Step 3 - Scroll down until you find:

* Ubuntu Desktop Version 8.0.1 English 64 Bit Download

* Download the .deb file

Step 4: Navigate to where you downloaded the .deb file:

* Right click a blank area in the folders section, select "Open in Terminal"

* FROM THE TERMINAL, COPY AND PASTE:
  mkdir ~/PacketTracer8.0.1
  cp ~/Downloads/CiscoPacketTracer_801_Ubuntu_64bit.deb ~/PacketTracer8.0.1
  cd ~/PacketTracer8.0.1
  ar -xv CiscoPacketTracer_801_Ubuntu_64bit.deb
  mkdir control
  mkdir data
  tar -C control -Jxf control.tar.xz
  tar -C data -Jxf data.tar.xz
  cd data
  sudo cp -r usr /
  #STOP! COPY + PASTE FROM HERE, ENTER YOUR PASSWORD#
  sudo cp -r opt /

Step 5: Run the following commands:

* FROM  THE TERMINAL, COPY AND PASTE:
  sudo xdg-desktop-menu install /usr/share/applications/cisco-pt.desktop
  sudo xdg-desktop-menu install /usr/share/applications/cisco-ptsa.desktop
  sudo update-mime-database /usr/share/mime
  sudo gtk-update-icon-cache --force --ignore-theme-index /usr/share/icons/gnome
  sudo xdg-mime default cisco-ptsa.desktop x-scheme-handler/pttp
  sudo ln -sf /opt/pt/PacketTracer /usr/local/bin/PacketTracer

Step 6:

* Reboot

* Applications > Others > Launch Packet Tracer

I too confirm that it's working in Fedora 37. Thank you @WhatsTheIP for your help, really saved my peace.

PS: I tried installing 8.2.1 package but it gave many dependency errors even though all packages were there. Hence would recommend to download the 8.0.1 package and follow the steps thoroughly.

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