Using Virtual Machines in System Administration Education (original) (raw)

A Virtualized Network Teaching Laboratory

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings

Since for most students, learning dramatically improves with hands-on experience, a good networking lab is an asset for teaching networks. However, building such a lab is usually a challenge. It requires costly equipment and flexible configurations that are often not compatible with the campus network. In this paper, we describe how we designed a network teaching lab based on virtual machines connected on a virtual network. An instructor can create a virtual network and make it available to students. Students can configure the network and run experiments as instructed. When the task is complete, the students can submit the result of their work.

Mastering (Virtual) Networks - A Case Study of Virtualizing Internet Lab

In this paper we describe a single-server-based system we developed for a large scale networking laboratory. The system, based on virtual machines, is capable of running many concurrent virtual networks, each consisting of PCs, routers and switches, that can be connected in various configurations. Lab users can initiate and switch lab experiments with a simple web-based interface and remotely access each of the network devices for configuration and measurements, therefore, users can perform the lab either in a 30 students lab session with a TA or from home at their convenience. In addition, administration tools are simple and most failures can be recovered using a web interface. This cost effective system is based on Linux and other open-source/freeware software and was proven to be very effective in practice in the last two years.

Virtualized Network Management Laboratory for Educational Purposes

The ISC International Journal of Information Security, 2019

In this paper, we implement a Virtualized Network Management Laboratory named (VNML) linked to college campus network for educational purposes. This laboratory is created using Virtualbox virtualizer and GNS3 on Linux UBUNTU single HP DL380 G7 server platform. A total of 35 virtual devices (Routers, Switches and Virtual Machines) are created and distributed over virtualized campus network with seven network management tools configured and run. The proposed laboratory is aimed to overcome the limitations of network hardware existence in any educational facility teach network management subject in their curriculum. The other advantages include ease of managing the laboratory and overrides physical location setup within the same geographical area. https://www.isecure-journal.com/article\_96191.html

A Virtual Solution to a Real Problem: VMware in the Classroom

Over the past few years we have witnessed rapid advancements in ICT, which in turn has led, in the industry, to a staggering growth in the number and diversity of computer and networking solutions. As a result, academic institutions and professional training organizations face serious challenges in exposing students to many different computing environments while making efficient use of limited resources. To put it bluntly, how do we easily provide people with the practical experience of working with different operating systems, server applications, switches and routers? For a number of years, tutors at the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT) have been using VMWare for the teaching of Microsoft, Linux, Netware and other operating systems as well as various associated technologies. The use of VMWare allows students to complete exercises, laboratory work and practical projects involving multiple servers in multiple networks without having to leave the physical confines of a single computer. While William documents the use of virtual machines, its origins and uses in the teaching of Unix and Linux courses, this paper extends this to other operating systems and moreover shifts the focus to the supporting infrastructure required in order to extract the maximum benefit from this virtualisation of machines, devices and storage media. This paper discusses one response to the dilemma of needing to expose students to a range of rapidly evolving computing technologies while ensuring that costs are kept low and that the supporting infrastructure is reliable, robust and not easily compromised in one way or another: in short, a solution that delivers to students and staff alike, a safe, scalable and flexible learning environment.

Virtualization in Education: Portable Network Laboratory

2017

The goal of virtualization is the complete reproduction of physical computer networks in software, being able to work with logical devices and logical network services. To help the traditional teaching methodology through experimentation, the students can use a virtual and portable laboratory whenever and wherever they want. PNL (Portable Network Laboratory) is a tool for the deployment of a virtualized environment of computer networks allowing to connect, configure and communicate client and server applications. Its objective is to allow the student a suitable environment to verify the proper operation of the network services they are studying. This paper presents the main considerations of the design and the implementation of PNL, as well as the results obtained.

Learning Computer Networking Using Virtualization Tools

In this paper, we have tried to fill up the gap that we found in related research work that primarily focusses on the use of various virtualization tools, their advantages and challenges from an organizational and management perspective. We developed a questionnaire to collect data from the students of various age groups doing various levels of computer networking courses. Views of students were collected about whether the virtualization has helped them in developing necessary skills and learning of the computer networking concepts or not or up to what level these virtualization tools are helpful. Our objective was to address the student's point of view towards learning networking courses using virtualization tools. In this paper we have identified that the virtualization tools have greatly helped students in learning computer networking concepts, the students who had just finished high school, found virtualization very interesting and helpful in learning networking however the students who had completed bachelor degrees or had some networking experience were not as satisfied.

Virtualization Technology As A Tool For Teaching Computer Networks

2008

In this paper is being described a possible use of virtualization technology in teaching computer networks. The virtualization can be used as a suitable tool for creating virtual network laboratories, supplementing the real laboratories and network simulation software in teaching networking concepts. It will be given a short description of characteristic projects in the area of virtualization technology usage in network simulation, network experiments and engineering education. A method for implementing laboratory has also been explained, together with possible laboratory usage and design of laboratory exercises. At the end, the laboratory test results of virtual laboratory are presented as well.

Teaching Advanced Concepts in Computer Networks: VNUML-UM Virtualization Tool

IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies, 2013

In the teaching of computer networks the main problem that arises is the high price and limited number of network devices the students can work with in the laboratories. Nowadays, with virtualization we can overcome this limitation. In this paper, we present a methodology that allows students to learn advanced computer network concepts through hands-on experience with the VNUML-UM virtualization tool, which is offered freely as a resource for the practical teaching of mobility, load balancing, and high availability. To verify the utility of using the VNUML-UM virtualization tool in the teaching of advanced computer network concepts, we have performed some opinion polls to the students during the last three academic years. The obtained results confirm that our students agree that the VNUML-UM enables an enhanced learning process of the different concepts and their practical skills. This perception is also confirmed by the final marks obtained by the students, which have considerably improved along the years. To the best our knowledge, this paper presents the first experience that provides results on the use of virtualization to teach advanced concepts in the field of computer networks.