Network Design software

[Daedroth]

I'm an IT Technician in a secondary school, but need help sourcing network design solutions. Some of our A Level students are studying a computer hardware and network course. We have tried a few, but I'll explain about those:

Network Notepad: Was reliable but recently became unstable on XP and 7. "Unexpected error; Quitting" is the error, happened on older versions, and on the latest version. It works sometimes, and not others, so not really dependable for A Level work.

Libre Draw: Some what confusing, and I was unable to figure out how to actually load network design tools within it.

Dia: I think that's far too confusing, and quite limited (though I may be wrong).

We do not have any licenses for Microsoft Visio, so that isn't an option either, plus we need the software to be loaded on the physical machines, so cloud based solutions aren't an option either, such as Gliffy.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. :)

[Intersect]

would Cisco's packet tracer be helpfull? its like network notepad.

[cybertimber2008]

Packet Tracer!

But I didn't know Libre Draw could do networks. Hmm... I shall look into this.

Edit: There is another option. Cisco has a powerpoint of all of their device icons (router, switch, link, wan link, frame relay link, etc) and my professor had us make networks in powerpoint (or really any office app) with those icons. It's the same effect as packet tracer, except that you can't interact with the devices and simulate traffic.

[Daedroth]

Cisco Packet Tracer is only free for Cisco students, graduates or professionals. We can't install it across one particular IT suite, not legally anyway.

I should have stressed that being a free product is virtually essential. :|

[cooky560 Veteran]

Smart Draw it's only a trial but it'll do what you need

[Heydos]

Give GNS3 a shot. Students will be able to design and simulate various different types of networks. I've been toying with it for the last couple of years and it's a great little piece of software,

[+BudMan MVC]

For libreDraw you would just download the cisco icons in jpeg and then use them.. Not understanding your issue?

You can download the icons here

http://www.cisco.com...c50/ac47/2.html

Here is a few of them

What about yed its free

http://www.yworks.com/en/products_yed_about.html

And again could just use the cisco icons for network layout.