BRNO, Czech Republic, October 28, 2008 - At this year's INVEX trade fair in Brno, Czech Republic, Cisco was awarded the prestigious Crystal Disc prize in the category "Software for Household, Entertainment and Education". The prize was awarded to Cisco® Packet Tracer educational software, developed for the Cisco Networking Academy® programme. The software is designed to simulate the operation and functionalities of real networks.

"Packet Tracer is available to all lecturers, as well as to current and former students of Networking Academy. In the Czech Republic, we have currently more than 6,000 students in the programme," said Karol Kniewald of Cisco Czechia, who co-ordinates the Networking Academy programme locally.

Packet Tracer 5.0 is the latest version of Networking Academy's teaching and learning software. By simulating real network environments, it reduces the need for physical facilities in classrooms, and it enables students to design, configure and verify the functionality of networks, which would be impossible or extremely costly in a school environment.

Using the software's functions, teachers can test their students' knowledge in a wide range of practical activities by means of laboratory exercises, quizzes, competitions and homework tasks. Usage of the tool is not limited to classrooms and laboratories. Students can access it from their home computers, and co-operation between geographically distant locations is also possible. Packet Tracer 5.0 is compatible with Windows and Linux systems.

This is the second time that Cisco is the recipient of the Crystal Disc prize. In 2006, the company received the award for the Cisco Networking Academy e-learning curriculum. The Crystal Disc Award has a history of 18 years and is handed out in six categories. It is considered to be one of the most prestigious prizes in the field of information technology in Czech Republic, and consists of a two-round evaluation of products registered at INVEX. The jury includes 25 representatives of cooperating trade periodicals, specialists from academia, professional users and the media.

For further information on Packet Tracer 5.0 visit:
http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/netacad/course_catalog/PacketTracer.html

About Cisco Networking Academy

Launched in 1997, Cisco Networking Academy is a partnership between Cisco, education, business, government and community organizations around the world, aimed at nurturing IT professionals. The program employs an e-learning model, using a combination of Web-based and instructor-led training along with a hands-on lab environment to teach students how to design, build and maintain computer networks. Worldwide, more than 2.6 million students have participated in courses in over 160 countries since the Networking Academy was established. For further information on Cisco Networking Academy visit: http://www.netacad.cz/