Virtual Appliance Marketplace

Features

Collegiate:
Yes

One-line Description:
An Appliance for managing Virtual Classrooms

Filename:
VirtualClassroomAppliance.zip

Size Compressed:
1 366

Allocated Memory:
256

Username:
hello (root)

Password:
world1 (thoughtpolice)

VMware Tools Installed?:
No

Operating System:
Fedora Core 5

Applications:
DrawTop, VNC, Bochs

Description:
1. The appliance can be used to enhance and improve 'distance learning' courses, in particular virtual classrooms. The appliance can be used by instructors and students to share the same computer platform (applications, OSs, etc.) remotely and securely. It enables online instruction and collaboration between the students and the instructor during class time, as well as enabling discussion between students.
The appliance can be deployed in computerized classroom (i.e., where all students are local) to simplify the process of setting up a unified framework.
The appliance is used as follows: First, the instructor (Or IT) will prepare the class assignment, configure and install all software on the appliance. A class assignment can be as simple as compiling hello.c or modifying a virtual machine such as Bochs. In both cases, the appliance should be configured and ready to be used.
Next, during the class itself, the instructor and the (remote) students use Drawtop and/or VNC to share a single session in which the instructor can teach the students and demonstrate the material using the VM.
Later, when the class session is over, each of students can work on his or her own VM. Since the configuration of the instructor's and the students' appliances is identical, the student can easily repeat the steps shown during the online session, work on their homework without any configuration/environment roadblocks, and can also collaborate with fellow students.
The main benefits of this appliance are:
I. Student do not need to be in a real classroom (the classroom can
virtualized)
a. Using multi-cast, the instructor can still instruct and show
the students the material
b. Students can easily collaborate amongst themselves, even if
they are not physically together.
c. Each student's machine does not need to be configured and there
is no need for specialized hardware (VM player is sufficient).
II. The lesson is easy to configure on the VM
a. Configuration is done once and on one machine (VM). The
content is consistent and the identical for all students.
b. No need to install software on multiple machines (this
will reduce system maintenance and IT involvement.
2. The appliance is built on top of the pre-built fedora core OS appliance.
DrawTop (https://wiki.vislab.usyd.edu.au/moinwiki/DrawTop) and
VNC (http://www.realvnc.com/) are installed to enable multicast and
collaboration. For these applications we had to install some addition utilities: zlib, libjpeg and pthreads for DrawTop and legacy software (compatibility mode) for VNC. In addition, a number of software development tools were installed (gcc, etc.).
Two example classes were created. The first example is a simple hello world C file. The instructor can show his/her class how to write a program and compile it. A more complex example is illustrated in the Bochs (http://bochs.sourceforge.net/) example. In this example, the Bochs IA-32 emulator is installed, configured and compiled. In addition, a small image containing linux was downloaded. The instructor can show how Bochs works, and the students are able to modify and compile Bochs code with minimal effort.
The appliance is optimized for functionality and ease of use. It is based on Fedora core 5 OS and includes all necessary features. This allows instructors to install any simulator, emulator or software with minimal effort.
3. Instructions:
1. Unzip this image into several directories (for
the teacher and for one or more students)
2. Run all of the instances in WMware Workstation (Or configure a
network).
3. Designate one machine for the teacher. The other machines are for the
students.
4. Login to all machines. User: hello, pass: world1
5. In hello's home directory, you will find:
a. A README file containing instructions on how to run the server and
viewers
b. .DrawTop directory containing the source code.
c. Class_HELLO_WORLD and Class_BOCHS directories containing a hello.c file and
Bochs source code, Bochs executable and image.
6. On the teacher's machine:
a. Open a shell (in the home directory), and view the README file.
b. Run vncserver,
Run (potentially) Drawtop (pass:world1). The README has an
example.
(make sure the port is open, currently 5901 and 5902 are open)
c. In another shell, run vncviewer, to be able to see exactly what
the students see. Make sure to specify localhost (since server is
running on this machine). The README file has an example.
d. In the VNC window, a shell is opened.
When DrawTop is used, the initial state is such that a mouse drag
will draw lines (each user with a different color) on the window.
Pressing F2 will change the line color and "Page Up" will clear
the lines. To take control of the floor and type commands press
F1.)
To run Bochs:
I. cd to Class_BOCHS/bochs-20060515/
II. $ ./bochs.
III. Choose '5' to start the VM. Two pop-ups will display errors,
continue. A small Linux OS will be booted up. You can type
instructions in this VM.
e. To figure out the IP address of the local host
(needed by all the students),
open a new shell (not in the VNC window),
login as root 'su -' (pass: thoughtpolice) and then type
'/sbin/ifconfig'
7. On each of the student's machine(s):
a. Open a shell (in home directory), and view the README file.
b. Run vncviewer. The README file has an example.
make sure to specify the remote host IP address.
If you see the error "unable to connect to host: No route
to host (113)" the IP specified is most likely wrong.
c. A VNC window is opened with the session prepared by the
instructor.
(To take control of the floor and type commands press F1.)
4. The appliance is based off the Linux Fedora Core 5 OS appliance which
has GNU General Public License.
DrawTop: GNU General Public License
(http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html)
VNC (free edition 4.1): GNU General Public Licence
(http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html)
Bochs: GNU Lesser General Public License
(http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/lesser.html)

Technical Specifications

Operating System:

Fedora Core 5

VMware Tools installed: No

Size: 1MB

Allocated Memory (RAM): 256

Applications Installed:

DrawTop, VNC, Bochs

Virtual Appliance Account Information