---
title: "Cisco Network Simulator: Can it be Used in a Classroom? (Part 3 of 3)"
description: Part 3 of 3 - Using the Boson NetSim network simulator in a classroom.
---

[Network Simulation & IT Training | Boson Blog ](https://blog.boson.com)

# [Cisco Network Simulator: Can it be Used in a Classroom? (Part 3 of 3)](https://blog.boson.com/bid/53322/cisco-network-simulator-can-it-be-used-in-a-classroom-part-3-of-3)

 Written by [Kelson Lawrence](https://blog.boson.com/author/kelson-lawrence) | Feb 8, 2011 4:21:00 PM

By Brian Scheibe

**Step 5: Use the Lab Compiler to Create the Lab Pack**

You’ve now created the required files (lab document and topology) and optional files (loading and grading configurations) needed for your lab, but you still have to create the lab file so you can share it with students. This section will detail how to use the Lab Compiler to create the lab and export it so that you can share it.

Click the **Lab Compiler** tab. Note that the **Custom Lab Packs** tab is also displayed. The Custom Lab Pack database is where your TestLab lab pack will be created and stored.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perform the following steps to create the lab pack. The completed process is shown above just before the lab is saved.

1. On the Menu Bar, click **Lab Compiler** and then click **New Lab Pack**.  
2. In the **Lab Pack Name** field, type **TestLab Lab Pack**.  
3. Click **Save** and then **OK** when prompted.  
4. On the **Custom Lab Packs** tab, right-click **TestLab Lab Pack** and select **Add New Section**.  
5. In the **Section Name** field, enter **TestLab Section**.  
6. Click **Save** and then **OK** when prompted.  
7. On the **Custom Lab Packs** tab, right-click **TestLab Section** and select **Add New Lab**.  
8. In the **Lab Name** field, enter **TestLab Lab**.  
9. Optionally, enter a description of the lab in the **Description** field.  
10. Click **Add File**, and navigate to the **TestLab** folder you created on your Desktop.  
11. Select the **TestLab.top** file, and click **Open**.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12. Click **Add File**, select the **TestLab.xps** document, and click **Open**.  
13. Click **Add File**, and change the file type to **Multi-Device Config (*.nwc)**.  
14. Select the **Loading.nwc** file, and click **Open**.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15. On the Lab Compiler, change the **File Type** to **Loading NWC**.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16. Click **Add File**, and change the file type to **Multi-Device Config (*.nwc)**.  
17. Select the **Grading.nwc** file, and click **Open**.  
18. On the Lab Compiler, change the **File Type** to **Grading NWC**.  
19. Click **Save** to create the lab.

Now that we have created a custom lab pack, lab section, and lab, we need to export it so that it can be used by the students.

1. Right-click **TestLab Lab Pack** and select **Export Lab Pack**.  
2. You can use a custom name for your lab pack when the **Export to Lab Pack Archive** dialog box opens or use the default **TestLab Lab Pack.lpx** name.  
3. Click **Save**.

Although this blog series is rather lengthy, the process of creating a custom lab is fairly quick with a bit of practice. Now that you have a lab pack file saved, you can distribute it to your students and have them import it into their copy of NetSim by selecting the **Custom Lab Packs** tab and then click **Lab > Import Lab Pack** from the Menu Bar.

For more information about Boson's [Cisco Network Simulator](http://www.boson.com/netsim-cisco-network-simulator) - NetSim 8.0, download the [NetSim 8.0 User Manual](http://www.boson.com/Files/Support/NetSim-8-User-Manual.pdf) (PDF).

If you would like to try NetSim 8.0, you can download it from our [Downloads page](http://www.boson.com/download) to try the demo lab.

<http://www.boson.com/download>

 

 

 

If you have any questions about using NetSim in a classroom envirionment, or for personal use, we would love to hear from you. Give us a call at **877.333.3926**, or email us at support@boson.com.

 

[< Part 1 ](https://blog.boson.com/bid/53319/Cisco-Network-Simulator-Can-it-be-used-in-a-classroom-Part-1-of-3)   [Part 2](https://blog.boson.com/bid/53321/Cisco-Network-Simulator-Can-it-be-used-in-a-classroom-Part-2-of-3)

[View full post](https://blog.boson.com/bid/53322/cisco-network-simulator-can-it-be-used-in-a-classroom-part-3-of-3)

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