Remote Networking Labs
for
Hands-on Exercises
James Yu, Ph.D.
Scholl of CTI
DePaul University
jyu@cs.depaul.edu
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)
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


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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 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.
04/07/06
DePaul University - Teaching and
Technology Conference
Solution: Remote Access
Switch
Environment
Windows
Environment
Linux
Environment
Router
Environment
Private,
Secure
Lab LAN
Terminal Server
Linux
Gateway
Internet
04/07/06
DePaul University - Teaching and
Technology Conference
Example 1: Router Configuration
Router1:2006
Router3:2008
Router2:2007
e0/0
e0/0
e0/1
e0/0
E0/1
e0/1
SW02
SW01
SW03 (1900)
192.168.1.5
Terminal Server
Linux-05 (Gateway)
04/07/06
Internet
DePaul University - Teaching and
Technology Conference
192.168.2.15
Linux-15
Example 2: Switch Configuration
Objective: Comparison of STP and RSTP configuration and performance.
192.168.1.5
172.26.1.5
SW01
192.168.1.1
Lab
Gateway
Linux-05
blocked
172.26.1.14
SW02
192.168.1.2
04/07/06
Linux-14
DePaul University - Teaching and
Technology Conference
Example 3: Firewall Configuration
SW02
SW03
192.168.1.7
SW01
192.168.1.5
140.192.40.7
Windows-7
140.192.40.5
Linux-05
Lab Access Gateway
04/07/06
192.168.1.6
192.168.3.6
Linux-06
Router & Firewall
DePaul University - Teaching and
Technology Conference
192.168.3.15
Linux-15
Web Server
Emulate Internet
environment
New Challenges


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Network device configuration can be performed by
only one student at a time.
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.

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
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.
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
04/07/06
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. http://140.192.40.5/~labrequest
DePaul University - Teaching and
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On-line Access Control and Lab Log
Linux Gateway
04/07/06
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.
DePaul University - Teaching and
Technology Conference
Remote Labs – Current Status
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TDC363 – Introduction to Local Area Networks
TDC365 – Network Interconnction Technologies
TDC511 – Telecommunications Practicum
TDC564 – Local Area Networks
TDC566 – Broadband Access Technologies
04/07/06
DePaul University - Teaching and
Technology Conference
Acknowledgements

CTI Networking Labs Support:
Dr. Greg Brewster
 Dr. Chonghua Zhang
 Yongning Tang
 Chibiao Liu


Quality for Instruction Council (QIC) Grant
04/07/06
DePaul University - Teaching and
Technology Conference