Herb Brown Appalachian State University

State of Networking Instruction  Many programs are adding networking instruction  Networking instruction is not as prevalent as it should be  More robust Networking competencies in National Standards (© 2007)  Students are interested in computer networking

Potential Barriers to Implementation  Cost of hardware and software Servers Networking Operating Systems Network Utilities  Intimidating Topic  Lack of knowledge of networking  Lab limitations  IT Staff barriers  Decide to just DO IT!

Strategies for Teaching Networking  Theory Lecture Discussion  Application (software) Lecture Discussion HANDS-ON

Tools to Facilitate Instruction  VIRTUALIZATION tools  Free/reduced cost software  Vendor-specific programs  Open Source Products  Donations

Virtualization Defined  Virtualization is a term that refers to the abstraction of resources across many aspects of computing  For our discussion – One physical machine to support multiple virtual machines that run in parallel  Multiple operating systems running in parallel on one host computer.

Why use Virtualization?  Desktop/Lab Explore multiple operating systems on one machine Explore ALL aspects of an OS and its configuration (including BIOS/CMOS) New software development and testing (multiple platforms) Flexibility of software use, install, configuration for lab settings

Requirements for Virtualization  Desktop Higher RAM Fast drives, fast I/O (SATA II, SCSI, etc.) Multi-processor supporting virtualization ○ Intel Dual-core Core 2 Duo Quad Core i7 core ○ AMD multi-core chip equivalent ○ Look at Chip specs for “virtualization” support

Software for Virtualization  Desktop Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 (Free, Windows) VMWARE server (GSX-Free) VMWARE Workstation ($$$) VirtualBox (Windows, Linux, Mac, OpenSolaris)  Server-level XenServer (now FREE) VMWARE server (GSX-Free-Linux,Windows) Hyper-V 2008 (Windows Server 2008) OpenVZ (Linux, open-source similar to Virtuozzo)

Where to find the software  Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 –  VirtualBox –  VMWare Server (formerly GSX) –  XEN 3.0 –  OpenVZ (branch from commercial Virtuozzo product) –

Process to Implement Virtualization  Install Virtualization software  Create a virtual machine Shared memory settings Network settings and Virtual machine access to network resources Video settings Hard drive configurations ○ Fixed space (complete space allocation) ○ Dynamic disk sizing Undo features/functionality  Start the Virtual Machine, mount ISO and complete installation as normal.

Logistics  Once Virtual machine is installed it consists of only a few files (Two with Virtual PC)  To replicate to multiple machines, just copy the files to other machines (batch files, configuration management software, etc.)  When complete, DELETE the files associated with Virtual Machine

Future  Virtualization will continue to increase and mature  Forrester Research survey shows 51% of North American companies polled are using or piloting server virtualization 1  New technologies such as Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (from VMWare) Similar to thin-client technology but more flexible and fewer limitations  Virtualization technology embedded in the Operating system to support quick recovery or virtualizing browsing sessions (Vista & Server 2008) 1 NetworkWorld Executive Guide: Virtualization meets reality, whitepaper available:

What it means for the Business Education Classroom  If we are not using it as a teaching tool in Networking classes … we SHOULD be  We should be Teaching HOW to setup virtualized environments and how to determine ROI, and evaluate virtual technologies – especially in networking courses  This is not a fad, it is a trend that will continue

Other uses for Virtualization in the Business Education Classroom  Web development courses – show web server administration (virtualized server)  Classes demonstrating Operating Systems  Programming/Development  Software experimentation  Legacy DOS apps – run in VM  Practice configuring Operating system and Troubleshooting problems in VM  Others?

Software Resources  Microsoft Software Evaluation Versions (sometimes with texts) Some pre-created Virtual Machines available for download for testing/trial purposes MSDNAA.NET or equivalent program School District Licensing (for lab use)

Software Resources  Linux FREE!!! Distrowatch.com Distributions  Install in Virtual Machine  Run “Live” version CD Virtual Machine  Common Version: Ubuntu, Fedora, PCLinuxOS, Mandriva, OpenSUSE, Knoppix

Other Software  Many FREE Networking Software Resources  Solarwinds.com IP Calculator Network Configuration tools Network Analysis tools More  OPEN SOURCE (many available)

Hardware Needs  ASK, ASK, BEG, ASK AGAIN  Check with School and District IT Managers for OLD equipment (switches, hubs, wiring)  Donations from Business Community Check with Students for contacts Make sure the materials are “usable”  Vendors: you will be amazed at what they have to give.  Equipment/curriculum programs with major vendors: CISCO and others  GRANTS!!

IT Support Concerns  Students can bypass installed “control” software ~ disable all network access to VM ~ restrict settings changes to administrators  Software licensing issues ~ many vendors now are allowing multiple installs using VMs ~ consider a program such as MSDNAA ~ free software (distrowatch.org)  Viruses ~ not likely if no network connections ~ install Anti- virus in VMs  Distribution of VMs ~ use configuration management software (Ghost) ~ run batch scripts to copy VM files to PCs  Concerns with Open Source software ~ request a Virtual Machine install to keep it “off the network”  Others?