VMware ESXi and vSphere Cluster Management

Install Cisco Configuration Professional (CCP) on a Windows Workstation

Learn how to prepare for and complete a Cisco Configuration Professional installation on Windows, including licensing, destination folders, prerequisites, shortcuts, and verification.

Cisco Configuration Professional (CCP) is a desktop graphical application for configuring and monitoring supported Cisco routers. CCP runs on an administrator's workstation, which is the Windows computer used to manage network devices. It is not installed directly on the router.

This lesson covers the workstation installation process. Router discovery, connection setup, reachability testing, and device management take place after CCP has been installed successfully.

Understand the Installation Terms

An installer is the executable setup package that places software on a workstation and configures its required components. The installation directory is the local folder where CCP's program files are stored. A desktop shortcut is a link that starts CCP without navigating through the Windows application menus.

System requirements are the supported hardware, Windows operating system, display, storage, and supporting-software conditions needed by the application. A prerequisite check is an installer validation that looks for those conditions. Administrative privileges are permissions required to install software or modify protected locations.

Pre-Installation Preparation

Obtain and verify the installer

Obtain the correct CCP installation package from an authorized Cisco software source.
Confirm that the download completed successfully. If the vendor provides a checksum or package validation method, use it according to the vendor's instructions.
Keep the installer in a known location, such as the Windows Downloads folder, until setup is complete.
Do not use an installer from an unknown mirror, an unsolicited attachment, or a source whose authenticity cannot be established.

Review the workstation requirements

Before starting setup, review the requirements for the specific CCP release. Check the supported Windows environment, processor and memory requirements, available disk space, display requirements, and required supporting software. Requirements can vary by release, so use the documentation supplied with the authorized package rather than assuming that every Windows computer is supported.

Also verify that the Windows account can install applications. On a managed workstation, you may need an administrator to approve the installation or provide temporary elevation.

Prepare Windows

Close unnecessary applications to reduce interruptions and file locks.
Confirm that the destination drive has enough free space.
Make sure the intended installation folder is writable.
Review organizational policies before choosing a nondefault installation directory.
Keep network access and a compatible, reachable router available for the later management stage. Network access is normally not the purpose of the local installation itself.

Pre-Installation Checklist

Requirement: Supported Windows environment
Why it matters: CCP must run on a supported operating-system platform.
How to verify: Compare the workstation's Windows release and architecture with the requirements for the CCP package.
Action if not met: Use a supported workstation or obtain an approved compatible release.

Requirement: Administrative permissions
Why it matters: Setup may need to write to protected folders and register components.
How to verify: Confirm that your account can install software or that an administrator can approve elevation.
Action if not met: Request the required permissions before running setup.

Requirement: Available disk capacity
Why it matters: The installer needs space for application files and supporting components.
How to verify: Check free space on the intended drive in Windows File Explorer.
Action if not met: Free space or select an approved local drive with adequate capacity.

Requirement: Required supporting software
Why it matters: CCP may depend on components identified by its release documentation or prerequisite checker.
How to verify: Review the release requirements and installer validation results.
Action if not met: Install or enable the approved missing component, then rerun validation.

Requirement: Trusted installer package
Why it matters: An incomplete or altered package can fail to install or create a security risk.
How to verify: Confirm the source, file completion, and any available vendor validation information.
Action if not met: Obtain a fresh package from an authorized source.

Requirement: Network readiness for later router management
Why it matters: CCP must later reach the router through an appropriate management connection.
How to verify: Check the management path, addressing, credentials, and router compatibility after installation planning.
Action if not met: Resolve connectivity or compatibility issues separately from the workstation installation.

Launch the CCP Installer

Open Windows File Explorer and navigate to the folder containing the downloaded CCP setup executable.
Start the executable using an account with the required permissions. If necessary, use the Windows option to run it with administrative approval.
Respond to Windows security or elevation prompts. Proceed only when the package is trusted and the publisher or source is appropriate.
Wait for the installer welcome page. This page is the starting point for the guided installation.

If the installer does not start, do not repeatedly launch an unverified file. First check the download, Windows security status, and user permissions.

Accept the License Agreement

The license agreement contains the terms under which Cisco software may be used. Read the terms or have them reviewed according to your organization's process.

Setup cannot continue until the acceptance option is selected. After accepting the agreement, select the control that moves to the next installation stage.

Choose the Installation Directory

The installation-directory screen determines where CCP's local program files will be placed. The default directory is usually appropriate when the system drive has enough space and organizational policy permits the standard location.

Choose an alternate location only when there is a clear reason, such as limited capacity on the system drive or an approved software-deployment standard. The alternate path must be local, writable, and have adequate free space. Avoid changing the directory merely for convenience, because software policies, permissions, backups, and support procedures may depend on approved locations.

Confirm Options and Install Program Files

Review the selected installation directory and any other displayed options.
Start the installation when the choices are correct.
Allow setup to copy program files and configure required components.
Do not close the installer, power off the workstation, or restart Windows while installation is in progress.

The progress screen shows that setup is working. The duration depends on the workstation, storage performance, and components being installed. Wait for the installer to report completion rather than assuming that a partially filled progress indicator means failure.

Choose the Desktop Shortcut Option

Some CCP installers offer an option to create a desktop shortcut. Select it if users should have a convenient desktop launch link.

The shortcut changes only how the application is accessed. It does not add router functionality, change CCP's management capabilities, or configure a device. If you do not create a shortcut, CCP can normally be started from its Windows Start menu or application entry.

Review System and Software Requirement Results

During or near the end of setup, the installer checks whether the workstation meets CCP's system and software prerequisites. Review the result before treating the installation as complete.

A successful result indicates that the checked conditions were satisfied.
A failed result may identify an unsupported Windows platform, missing supporting component, insufficient memory or storage, or another unmet condition.
A warning may require review even if setup allows you to continue.

Resolve blocking failures using the condition identified in the installer report. Then repeat validation or rerun setup as directed. Do not rely on CCP for router management until required prerequisites pass.

Finish and Verify the Installation

Select Finish to close the installer after the completion screen reports success.
Launch CCP from the desktop shortcut if one was created.
If there is no shortcut, open CCP from the Windows Start menu or installed application list.
Confirm that the application opens without an installation or prerequisite error.

Opening CCP verifies the local application installation. It does not prove that a router can be discovered or managed. Router connectivity is a separate follow-up task involving a compatible device, a management connection, addressing or transport settings, and valid credentials.

CCP Installation Workflow

Step: Launch downloaded installer
Installer screen or action: Open the setup executable from its download location.
User decision: Confirm the package is trusted and approve required Windows elevation.
Expected outcome: The installer starts.

Step: Welcome screen
Installer screen or action: Review the setup introduction.
User decision: Begin the guided installation.
Expected outcome: Setup advances to the license stage.

Step: License acceptance
Installer screen or action: Review the license agreement.
User decision: Select the acceptance option.
Expected outcome: The Next or continuation control becomes available.

Step: Installation folder selection
Installer screen or action: Review the destination directory.
User decision: Keep the default or choose an approved writable local path.
Expected outcome: Setup has a valid destination.

Step: Install confirmation
Installer screen or action: Review the selected options and start setup.
User decision: Confirm that the settings are correct.
Expected outcome: Program-file installation begins.

Step: Shortcut selection
Installer screen or action: Choose whether to create a desktop shortcut.
User decision: Select the shortcut option if convenient access is desired.
Expected outcome: A launch link is created or the application remains available through the Windows menu.

Step: Requirements validation
Installer screen or action: Review system and software prerequisite results.
User decision: Resolve blocking failures before relying on CCP.
Expected outcome: Required checks pass or the reported issue is identified for correction.

Step: Finish and first launch
Installer screen or action: Select Finish and open CCP.
User decision: Confirm that the application starts normally.
Expected outcome: The workstation installation is verified; router connection remains a separate task.

Troubleshooting Installation Problems

The installer does not start

Likely causes include an incomplete or corrupted download, Windows blocking the file, or insufficient permission to run setup. Obtain a verified package again if necessary, review Windows security prompts and trusted-source status, and use an account with the required installation rights.

Installation stops at the license page

The usual cause is that the license terms have not been accepted. Review the agreement and select the acceptance option before continuing. If the option is unavailable, confirm that the page has finished loading and that the installer window is not being blocked by another prompt.

The target folder cannot be used

Insufficient disk space, lack of write permission, or an organizational policy restriction can prevent use of a directory. Use the default location when appropriate, or choose an approved writable local folder with enough free capacity.

A requirement check fails

Read the failed condition in the installer report. The problem may be an unsupported workstation environment, a missing supporting component, or insufficient hardware or storage resources. Meet the stated prerequisite, then repeat validation or installation.

CCP does not open after installation

The installation may not have completed correctly, a prerequisite may still be unavailable, or the shortcut may point to an unavailable location. Try the Windows application menu instead of the shortcut. If CCP still does not open, review the completion status and prerequisite results, then repair or reinstall using an approved package.

Exam-Relevant Notes

CCP is installed on the administrator's Windows workstation, not directly on the router.
The license agreement must be accepted before setup can continue.
The installation directory must be local, writable, and large enough for the application.
A desktop shortcut is optional and does not change CCP functionality.
Prerequisite checks must be reviewed because setup success and device connectivity are different outcomes.
Launching CCP successfully verifies the workstation installation; it does not verify router reachability, credentials, or compatibility.

After installation, continue with router reachability checks and the separate process of adding or discovering a supported router in CCP.