An innovative hands-on laboratory for teaching a networking course

This paper describes our laboratory experience of teaching a networking course and reactions from students who are taking this course. In this paper, we propose a unique laboratory approach for teaching administrative aspects of computer networking employing virtual machine software. Our laboratory is able to considerably speed up the ability to configure domain networks in various learning situations. The situations are realized by setting pre-configured and non-configured server image files as the virtual machine's disk drive. Pre-configured typical server settings are able to help students to learn network configurations quickly, and to concentrate on their learning objectives. Non-configured ones are able to help students to design and construct an enterprise network from scratch in our laboratory without any risks.