Using Virtualization to Teach Linux System Administration in Online Courses Jim Owens Community College of Vermont May 8, 2007

Overview Background Before virtualization With virtualization Virtualization system Learning environment Curriculum impacts Future enhancements Conclusions

Background Intermediate Linux CIS-2152 Using Linux in the small office/home office Required for Web Site Design & Administration degree Requires Introduction to Linux CIS-2150 Installation and configuration File system Security Text editing Process management, etc.

Before virtualization Offered at one CCV site and on line Defined by 10 essential objectives (EOs) 6 = “demonstrate” 3 = “discuss” 1 = “explain” Online course required 1 or 2 on-site meetings to complete hands-on EOs

CCV Sites Driving to Montpelier Newport1:30 Brattleboro1:53 Bennington2:29 Rutland1:17 St Johnsbury0:56 Middlebury1:23 Peru, NY2:24

On-site meetings format Time available 2:45 Agenda Introductions & overview Equipment setup Hands-on activities (including Linux install) Evaluations Wrap-up Equipment teardown

Before virtualization Bottom line: Intermediate Linux students in online courses spent more time reading and writing about Linux system administration than they did in performing these activities.

Virtualization system OpenVZ Fedora Core 6 with standard kernel Default Fedora Core 5 template for student virtual environments (VEs) Dell rack-mount server Intel 2.8GHZ dual-core processor 2GB memory Two 136GB HDDs mirrored on hardware RAID

Learning environment Ideally, students have full control of individual servers, with freedom to: Use root account as necessary Install or remove software packages Modify configuration files Monitor system logs Create & manage user accounts Make mistakes without fear of system or network compromise

Learning environment Firewall/router with network address translation OpenVZ system with a VE for each student, plus 2 more One homebase VE managed by instructor One test/demo VE for instructor use Router sends SSH traffic to homebase Homebase runs a local DNS service

Learning environment SSH (port 22) Public InternetPrivate network

Curriculum impacts Students have 24/7 access to own VEs Hands-on activities start Day 1 and continue throughout the course New hands-on activities added: Post-installation hardening Patching/updating OS and applications System monitoring & management User administration

Future enhancements Provide access to graphical clients for testing Web applications and some configuration tasks Add Windows client systems for better testing of Samba shares

Conclusions Virtualization technology provides a learning environment that Supports hands-on learning Provides a more authentic experience Permits exploration and mistakes without fear of system compromise Encourages independent learning Is affordable

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