04/07/06 DePaul University - Teaching and Technology Conference Remote Networking Labs for Hands-on Exercises James Yu, Ph.D. Scholl of CTI DePaul University

04/07/06 DePaul University - Teaching and Technology Conference General Problem Description Limited resources (network labs) that need to be available to the students from any place (via the public Internet) at any time (24×7) Limited resources (network labs) that need to be available to the students from any place (via the public Internet) at any time (24×7) The resource cannot be shared. Only one student can use one resource (network device) at a time while many students may try to access the resource (especially right before the assignment due time) at the same time. The resource cannot be shared. Only one student can use one resource (network device) at a time while many students may try to access the resource (especially right before the assignment due time) at the same time.

04/07/06 DePaul University - Teaching and Technology Conference Needs and Challenges Hands-on networking exercises are important for students learning. The lab practice confirms their understanding of the theories. Hands-on networking exercises are important for students learning. The lab practice confirms their understanding of the theories. The school needs a networking environment that is available to the students 24×7, but it is impossible to staff lab assistants for it. The school needs a networking environment that is available to the students 24×7, but it is impossible to staff lab assistants for it. The school has a growing number of distance learning students who cannot be physically at the loop campus, but they also need hands-on experience. The school has a growing number of distance learning students who cannot be physically at the loop campus, but they also need hands-on experience. Any time, any place, and always available. Any time, any place, and always available.

04/07/06 DePaul University - Teaching and Technology Conference Solution: Remote Access Terminal Server Internet Router Environment Private, Secure Lab LAN Switch Environment Windows Environment Linux Environment Linux Gateway

04/07/06 DePaul University - Teaching and Technology Conference Example 1: Router Configuration Linux-15 Terminal Server Internet SW03 (1900)SW01 SW02 Router1:2006Router2:2007 Router3:2008 e0/0 e0/1 E0/1 Linux-05 (Gateway)

04/07/06 DePaul University - Teaching and Technology Conference Example 2: Switch Configuration SW SW Linux-14 Linux-05 blocked Objective: Comparison of STP and RSTP configuration and performance. Lab Gateway

04/07/06 DePaul University - Teaching and Technology Conference Example 3: Firewall Configuration Linux-05Linux-06 Linux-15 SW03 SW01 Router & Firewall Windows Web Server Emulate Internet environment SW02 Lab Access Gateway

04/07/06 DePaul University - Teaching and Technology Conference New Challenges Network device configuration can be performed by only one student at a time. Network device configuration can be performed by only one student at a time. Some classes are large, up to 60 students. Some classes are large, up to 60 students. If two students are configuring the same network device at the same time, they will interfere with each other. If two students are configuring the same network device at the same time, they will interfere with each other. There are cases students need shut down a connection to emulate a fail-over scenario. There are cases students need shut down a connection to emulate a fail-over scenario. We need a sign-up procedure that would restrict only one access to each lab session at a time. We need a sign-up procedure that would restrict only one access to each lab session at a time. Real-time lab log is required to monitor all student activities. Real-time lab log is required to monitor all student activities.

04/07/06 DePaul University - Teaching and Technology Conference Lab Scheduling Tool Linux Gateway 1.The Linux gateway also maintains a lab scheduling tool. 2.Each student must reserve a lab session before accessing the lab. 3.Students can reserve and release a lab session from via a friendly web interface. 4.Only authenticated students can reserve a lab session and release his/her own session. 5.The tool allows only a fixed number of lab session for each student. So, a student cannot block too many sessions. 6.

04/07/06 DePaul University - Teaching and Technology Conference On-line Access Control and Lab Log Linux Gateway 1.The lab access is controlled by the Linux gateway. 2.Each student login access is logged on the Linux gateway. 3.Network device access (switch, router, firewall, etc.) is controlled by the modified telnet command which checks student ID before granting device access permission 4.Each telnet session is logged for monitoring purpose.

04/07/06 DePaul University - Teaching and Technology Conference Remote Labs – Current Status TDC363 – Introduction to Local Area Networks TDC363 – Introduction to Local Area Networks TDC365 – Network Interconnction Technologies TDC365 – Network Interconnction Technologies TDC511 – Telecommunications Practicum TDC511 – Telecommunications Practicum TDC564 – Local Area Networks TDC564 – Local Area Networks TDC566 – Broadband Access Technologies TDC566 – Broadband Access Technologies

04/07/06 DePaul University - Teaching and Technology Conference Acknowledgements CTI Networking Labs Support: CTI Networking Labs Support: Dr. Greg Brewster Dr. Greg Brewster Dr. Chonghua Zhang Dr. Chonghua Zhang Yongning Tang Yongning Tang Chibiao Liu Chibiao Liu Quality for Instruction Council (QIC) Grant Quality for Instruction Council (QIC) Grant