Implementing Cloud Based Virtual Computer Network Labs for Online Education: Experiences from a Phased Approach

Abstract

On-line instruction rather easily accommodates courses in some fields such as history, sociology, business administration and political sciences. However, it poses significant challenges for courses in technical fields that require hands-on experimentation. Courses in computer networking area constitute such an example. Given the demand for on-line courses and the trend for migration to online mode, there is a need to devise strategies that would allow students to conduct computing experiments remotely. Virtualization is a rapidly evolving technology that provides opportunities for online computer education. Through virtualization tools, it is possible to convert brick-and-mortar labs into virtual network labs. Using online virtual network lab tools, students may build, troubleshoot and test networks using their personal computers and, thereby, eliminate the commute to the labs. Cloud technology, another rapidly growing field, can help an organization achieve significant savings in IT services and infrastructure costs, as well as enhance IT support for organizational operations. Confluence of cloud and virtualization technologies present new opportunities for online education. However, there are significant issues to surmount in order to apply these technologies to computing-related courses and in particular to online computer networking courses. This paper presents experiences gained from transforming a traditional computer lab into an online virtual domain at the authors' university. The network lab described in this paper is utilized mostly for graduate computer networking, network security and wireless networking courses. The phased approach depicted in this paper should help academic institutions gain insights into technical and operational challenges in building and operating an online virtual lab.