Computing Labs on Virtual Environments: A Flexible, Portable, and Multidisciplinary Model

• Published in: IEEE-RITA Vol. 11; no. 4; pp. 235 - 241
• Main Authors: Munoz-Calle, Javier, Fernández-Jiménez, Francisco J., Ariza, Teresa, Sierra, Antonio J., Vozmediano, Juan M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Piscataway IEEE 01.11.2016; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: CAE; CAI; Computation; Computational modeling; Computer aided engineering; computer applications; Computer assisted instruction; Computer simulation; Computers; Engineering education; Engineering education computer-aided laboratories; Hardware; Laboratories; programming languages; shared computing facility; Software; Virtual environments; Virtual machining; Virtualization
• ISSN: 1932-8540; 2374-0132
• DOI: 10.1109/RITA.2016.2619139

Computer-aided teaching of practical subjects in engineering education poses new challenges. Computers have to be configured to support the particular requirements of each subject. Virtual environments allow the building of a virtual machine (VM) tailored to the requirements of each subject, allowing flexible, versatile, and low-cost laboratory configurations. However, the use of multiple VM at a shared computing facility poses new problems on the lab sessions, both technical and performance related. To solve these challenges, we have developed the VM on-demand tool. This tool automates the adaptation of each VM to the environment in which it is deployed. As a result, the creation of computer-aided engineering laboratories on a shared computing facility using VM is possible and profitable.