PocketCLI is a powerful Cisco™ IOS simulation software designed to help you develop hands-on configuration and troubleshooting skills for the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification—without the need for expensive lab hardware. I designed it to be simple to use and portable, yet powerful and configurable.
Hello! I’m the creator and solo developer behind PocketCLI. It all started with a simple frustration that many students share: while studying for my CCNA recertification, I couldn’t find a mobile study tool that really worked on the go. Sitting in a doctor’s office waiting room, I wished for something I could actively practice with—more engaging than flashcards—where I could enter configurations and troubleshoot, not just memorize.
The idea had been in the back of my mind for a while. I’d even tinkered with a basic PC router simulator. One day a classmate at a boot camp said, “Why don’t you just build one yourself?” While I was skeptical at first, that little nudge was the spark I needed. I spent a long time thinking about how I would build it and what features I should include, secretly hoping someone else would create it first. Eventually, I put together a proof of concept. That successful test was all the motivation I needed to begin the long road of development.
The journey began with a steep learning curve. I bought a MacBook—brand-new territory for me—and stumbled my way through Objective-C before picking up Swift. It wasn’t easy: I was learning a new operating system and a new programming language at the same time. In those messy moments, when my code failed or didn’t work as expected, I learned a powerful lesson: real growth in networking (and coding) doesn’t happen on the perfect path. It happens when configs break, when things don’t work, and you have to puzzle your way through. That philosophy has guided me every step of the way, and it’s at the core of how PocketCLI helps you learn.
What began as a rough idea has grown—over years of late nights and weekends—into a tool that now helps hundreds of people prepare for and pass their CCNA exams. It’s been humbling to watch this community grow and to see something I built make a real difference in people’s lives and careers. Every late night, every roadblock, and every difficult debugging session has been worth it.
Your purchase and support make all of this possible, allowing me to continue developing the app, creating new features, and updating content to stay current with networking standards. More than that, your support fuels my passion to keep building and improving. What began as a tool for the CCNA is evolving to support network professionals on their next step, the CCNP. Thank you for being a part of this journey. My hope is that PocketCLI continues to be a reliable companion and a source of encouragement as you work toward your networking goals.
PocketCLI: Learn. Practice. Dominate CCNA, Anytime.
Happy networking,
Marvin Arriola, CCNP