About the laboratory
The Virtual Information Technology Teaching Laboratory (VITTL) uses advanced, innovative virtualisation technology and teaching processes. This allows information technology students to gain industrial-level experience with advanced software, servers and operating systems.
VITTL uses powerful central servers running VMware virtualisation software, which is managed by the Bond Business School. Since its inception in April 2008, teaching staff have built specialist virtual machine images with industry-strength operating systems and advanced software packages. They achieve this in combinations that are difficult or impossible to install on the physical machines present in teaching laboratories.
Bond Business School students are allocated virtual machines for each subject that requires them. Virtual machines run on a 24/7 basis and students are given administrative privileges. Such access could not normally be granted to a physical machine in a shared teaching lab on a permanent basis. Students can then access the desktop on their virtual machine from any other computer on campus including any teaching laboratory, library and public access spaces and the student's laptop connected by Wi-Fi.
Using the Bond Citrix server, virtual machine access is possible from any Internet-connected machine across the globe including the student's place of residence.
Features
- Students are granted administrative access to download, install and manage operating systems and software packages.
- Wide range of Windows, Unix and Linux operating systems are supported, allowing for practical work that can then be used on real-world software, sought by employers.
- Each virtual machine runs 24/7 for round-the-clock access and to support long-running program execution where needed.
- Virtual machines are accessible everywhere on campus and via the Internet.
- Virtual machines that cease to execute for any reason can be replaced with new images in minutes.
- Teaching and support staff can share access to student machines to help with maintenance and software problems.
- Students may present material and show demonstrations from their virtual machines in any teaching space on campus for assessment and feedback purposes.
This advanced virtualisation technology allows Bond Business students to gain experience with advanced software, servers and systems. The experience provides the right foundations for careers in information technology industries.