Setting Up a Low-cost Lab Management System for a Multi-purpose Computing Laboratory Using Virtualisation Technology

• Main Authors: MOK, Heng Ngee, TAN, Wee Kiat
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2012
• Subjects: Multi-purpose lab; Computing lab; Laboratory management; Laboratory administration; Teaching lab; Virtual lab; Virtualization; Virtual machine; VMware; Curriculum and Instruction; Education; Software Engineering
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sis_research/1467; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/sis_research/article/2466/viewcontent/auto_convert.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

This paper describes how a generic computer laboratory equipped with 52 workstations is set up for teaching IT-related courses and other general purpose usage. The authors have successfully constructed a lab management system based on decentralised, client-side software virtualisation technology using Linux and free software tools from VMware that fulfils the requirements of fast "switch over" time between consecutive lab sessions, the ability to support a wide range of IT courses and usage scenarios, low cost, easy maintenance, and a sandboxed environment for potentially disruptive IT security lab exercises. Sufficient implementation details are provided so that readers can build a similar lab management system. The objective is to share ideas and experiences that may be useful for lab administrators in academic institutions facing the same requirements and budgetary constraints.