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Enhancing Accessibility and Efficiency in University Labs: The Virtual Computer Lab Solution

This presentation discusses the challenges faced in providing access to high-end applications at NC State University and introduces the Virtual Computer Lab (VCL) solution, which allows students and instructors to access necessary software anytime and anywhere, regardless of their device. It addresses issues such as software version control, compatibility, and the necessity for 24-hour access while illustrating the benefits of a unified platform and the use of open-source software to maximize resources. The VCL fosters better collaboration among faculty and enhances student learning experiences.

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Enhancing Accessibility and Efficiency in University Labs: The Virtual Computer Lab Solution

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  1. Henry E. SchafferCoordinator of Special IT Projects & Faculty Collaboration/OITProfessor Emeritus of Genetics and BiomathematicsSarah R. SteinVCL Academic Outreach and Collaboration/OITAssociate Professor of Communication NC State University EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  2. Origins • Problems we faced at NC State • Timely inclusion of new software in lab image · relationships between instructors and lab staff • Conflicts between 50+ apps in lab image (".dll wars") • Resulting effort → delays (sometimes months) EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  3. Problems • Costs to students of high-end apps - making them dependent on labs • Assumption: students don't all have the newest, most powerful personally owned computers • Reality: students (nearly) all own or have access to some computer • Reality: many different models/configurations/ages/capabilities of student computers EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  4. Problems • Access at night - 24 hour access - safety issues • Distance students can't get to the campus labs (actually we didn't think of that at first. Why not? :-) • New software versions - instructors affected by move/don't-move decisions • Early adopters vs. caution EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  5. Problems • Installation differs due to non-uniformity of lab computers • Additional work for staff • Instructors expect uniformity EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  6. Considerations • very low project budget → maximize use of Open Source software • write "glue code" in LAMP environment • remember important engineering principle ~ KISS • had IBM Blade Center in use for HPC • CapEx vs. OpEx • CapEx amortization - i.e. lifetime EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  7. Considerations • had expertise in Engineering - Computer Science and central IT • Team includes Sam Averitt, Mikhail Bugaev, Marc Hoit, Andy Kurth, Aaron Peeler, Henry Schaffer, Sarah Stein, Eric Sills, Josh Thompson, Mladen Vouk - but only 3+ FTE EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  8. Overview of the VCL (the Virtual Computer-Lab) Solution • bring the lab to the student - over the internet ("virtually") • Anytime, anywhere • From any user computer - Windows/Mac/Linux • focus on high end software - works well with almost any software • make an image with one major app - always works! :-) EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  9. Overview • extra privileges - incl. root / Administrator, with extra security • http://vcl.ncsu.edu/ EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  10. Architecture - an overview EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  11. Architecture EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  12. Architecture - Uses EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  13. Architecture - Flexibility EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  14. What is the Result? • Students get • Anytime, anywhere • Regardless of user platform • Same app for all • Choice of apps • Can use both networked and local storage EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  15. What is the Result? • Instructor gets • Uniform platform for all students • Multiple version availability • Quick changes/updates/customization • Instructor can do it herself EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  16. What is the result? • Staff gets • Smoother operation • Fewer compatibility problems • More satisfied instructors • Fewer customization requests • Good or better security with fewer restrictions EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  17. What is the result? • Campus gets • Support for on campus and distance learning • Longer life cycle • Lower TCO • Economies of Scale • More effective license administration • Greater Flexibility • Open Source benefits • Cloud Computing in 2004 EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  18. Advantages • How/Why we get improved service at lower cost (costs include personnel, hardware, software) • Self-service to faculty - very low training need • Responsiveness to faculty/class needs • With minimal staff load • 7x24x365 EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  19. Advantages • Sharing infrastructure (and costs) with HPC (out of phase use!) • Operations and Maintenance experience - economies of scale! • Multiple software version availability • Availability of root/Administrator • Additional features - clusters, semester long reservations, etc. (opens new pedagogical opportunities) EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  20. Limitations • Network latency/speed video • Video editing is not a good fit • Some applications require specialized computer hardware (e.g. graphics cards) • Cultural acceptance of remote shared provision (more below) • (Offsetting this are opportunities for IT to move up "the food chain", partnership in pedagogy) • Open Source support EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  21. Barriers - especially Cultural Barriers • Adoption of the new • Cloud - can't touch it, feel it, see it • Changes relationships with instructors and users • Need to let go of the traditional • Traditional methods are comfortable • Moving to the new, but don’t get the economies if keep all the traditional EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  22. Opportunity for a Walk-Through • http://vcl.ncsu.edu/ • FAQ – on left • The Info Corner – lower right • See it as a user • Select login with non-NCSU account • Create an account • Make a Reservation, etc. • Instructor View has more options EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  23. VCL Screen Grabs – Home Page EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  24. New Reservation Page EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  25. Reservation Page – Image Menu EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  26. Conclusions • Economical, affordable, scalable, shareable • Broadly useful – not a panacea • Open Source - Apache • http://vcl.ncsu.edu/apache-vcl/ • Production status plus many pilots moving to production • NC State - Spring Semester 2009 61,862 reservations - 107,139 hours - 6,336 unique users EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  27. Conclusions • You are welcome to try! • Get involved in the Apache VCL Community! • http://cwiki.apache.org/VCL/ • VCL Home Page http://vcl.ncsu.edu/ • IEEE Computer July 2009 pp 94-97 “NCSU’s Virtual Computing Lab: A Cloud Computing Solution” EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

  28. Thank You! NC State University • Henry Schaffer • hes@ncsu.edu • Sarah Stein • sarah_stein@ncsu.edu EDUCAUSE Live! July 29. 2009

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