Simulation-Based Learning via Cisco Packet Tracer to Enhance the Teaching of Computer Networks

Teaching and learning computer networks is a crucial part of a computing undergraduates’ education. However, it is an abstract topic with theory that can be challenging for students to comprehend. Simulation-based learning can be used as a teaching tool to enhance networking-based lecture topics and help students more easily understand and visualise how it really works in a safe, user-friendly environment. One such simulation tool, Cisco Packet Tracer, can be used to good effect, and this paper reports on the practical implementation of the tool as identified in existing literature. Additionally, this paper discusses how Packet Tracer was utilised as part of a UK based first year undergraduate module ’Computers and Security’, and details the content of nine practical sessions, whilst also identifying the main benefits and challenges of their implementation from a practitioner’s perspective. It was found that while Packet Tracer can be an additional benefit to augment the teaching of networking concepts, there are limitations and challenges which educators must be aware of if implementing the tool. The paper therefore concludes with providing recommendations which should help educators and curriculum designers in creating and delivering more effective and interactive networking sessions

Aligning Cybersecurity in Higher Education with Industry Needs

Cybersecurity is among the highest in-demand skills for Information Systems graduates and therefore is critical for the Information Systems curriculum. There is a substantial lack of skilled cybersecurity graduates. It is estimated that there is a global shortage of almost three and a half million cybersecurity professionals in 2022. Organizations are facing difficulties filling security positions. Thus, the Information Systems curriculum must be redesigned to meet business and industry needs and better prepare Information Systems graduates for cybersecurity careers. This study provides a model for designing a cybersecurity course that will align with industry needs to respond to the shortage of cybersecurity professionals. The proposed model is based on backward course design, aligned with the guidelines from the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework and The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education Strategic Plan, and insights from interviews with industry professionals. We applied the model at a higher education institute in the USA, as higher education graduates fill most cybersecurity positions. The designed course was met with high levels of student satisfaction, positive industry feedback, and high levels of student success. Our proposed model can be applied to any educational institute and customized to desired needs of the institute, students, and the industry with minimal cost and time consideration

Routing Protocols Evaluation Review in Simple and Cloud Environment

In the field of information technology there are many computer jargons like cloud computing Ad-hoc, Software Define Network (SDN), network function virtualization (NFV) , and virtual machine (VM), etc. This review paper is basically a blend of brief study and review of many routing protocols used for Mobile ad hoc Networks (MANET) in the cloud as well as in simple network environment i.e. without cloud computing. This paper would also suggest the different challenges that are facing in cloud computing. The description of the different network simulators used in networking like NS2 tool, Opnet and Cisco packet tracer. The different metrics that are used in the networking are briefly explained. MANET is a group of wireless nodes that do not need centralized controlling entity as it rapidly moveschanges and forms networks to the nearest networking nodes

Building Cloud-Based Information Systems Lab Architecture: Deriving Design Principles that Facilitate the Effective Construction and Evaluation of a Cloud-Based Lab Environment

The problem explored in this dissertation report was that at the time of this study, there were no design principles or methodologies based on design science research (DSR) available to use for artifact construction, implementation, and effective evaluation of cloud-based networking lab environments that can be used to foster hands-on technology skills in students. Primarily based on Hevner’s 7 guidelines of DSR, Peffer’s design science research methodology (DSRM), and Gregor’s IS design theory, this study forms the groundwork for the development of procedures and specifications derived from DSR literature to facilitate the construction, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive cloud-based computer and information systems (CIS) laboratory artifact that is globally accessible 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Secondarily, this study guided the construction and implementation of a prototype cloud-based lab environment using the procedures and specifications derived from DSR. The cloud-based lab environment was then evaluated based on the skill level attained by students enrolled in courses that leveraged the proposed system. Results of this study showed that the overwhelming majority of the students who participated in the experiment using the cloud-based lab environment showed statistically significant gains in pretest and posttest scores compared to the students who participated in the experiment using the classroom-based physical equipment. These results fully supported the first hypothesis for this study, that participation in the cloud-based lab environment would promote positive student outcomes. The second hypothesis also was supported. The majority of the experimental group students completed most of the labs and significantly spent more time on the system compared to the control group students using the traditional classroom-based physical lab equipment, which indicated the specifications derived from DSR positively influenced the use of the cloud-based system. An argument was made that the proposed study advances IS and education research through artifact construction and evaluation by correlating Hevner’s 7 steps of effective DSR theory, Peffer’s DSRM, and Gregor’s IS design theory to the problem statement, research questions, and hypothesis in order to develop guiding principles and specifications for building and assessing a cloud-based lab environment

Implementation of Low-Cost Laboratory in Education: A Systematic Literature Review

The availability of educational facilities is still a problem in many countries. Inadequate laboratory equipment will affect student learning outcomes and the quality of graduates. Therefore, many studies have developed low-cost laboratories as an alternative solution. This article aims to study the development of low-cost laboratories and their implementation in learning. This study used the systematic literature review (SLR) method. The articles used in this study were published from 2017–2021 and obtained from the IEEE Xplore database. After the papers were accepted, we were selected using inclusion and exclusion criteria. Thirty-two articles were used. The results show that a low-cost laboratory can be an alternative solution to the high price of commercial equipment and a learning tool to improve learning outcomes. The methods used in implementing low-cost laboratories are design, research and development, and experimentation. Using low-cost laboratories in learning activities improves the quality of learning outcomes

Implementation of Low-Cost Laboratory in Education: A Systematic Literature Review

In developing countries, the need of practical facilities such as teaching aids and laboratories equipment is still a problem in education. This Inadequate laboratory equipment will affect learning outcomes, and the quality of graduates. The high price of commercial equipment is one of the factors. Therefore, there has been a lot of research to develop low-cost laboratory. This article aims to review the development of low-cost laboratory and how they have implemented in learning. The Systematic Literature Review  method is used to overview the implementation of low-cost laboratories in the learning. The synthesis of articles refers to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The published articles used in this study were obtained from the IEEE Xplore database for publication from 2017 – 2021.  After the articles are selected using inclusion and exclusion criteria, 32 articles were obtained for use. The results of this study indicate that a low-cost laboratory can be an alternative solution to the high price of commercial equipment, and as a learning aid to improve learning outcomes. The methods used in implementing low-cost laboratories are design, research and development and experimentation. The use of low-cost laboratories in learning activities shows a positive impact on improving the quality of learning outcome

CYBEREDUCATION-BY-DESIGN™: DEVELOPING A FRAMEWORK FOR CYBERSECURITY EDUCATION AT SECONDARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN ARIZONA

Most survey results agree that there is a current and ongoing shortage of skilled cybersecurity workers that places our privacy, infrastructure, and nation at risk. Estimates for the global Cybersecurity Workforce Gap range from 2.72 million (ISC2, 2021) to 3.5 million (Cyber Academy, 2021) for 2021 and the United States estimates range from 465,000 (Brooks, 2021) to over 769,000 (Cyber Seek, 2022) open jobs as of November 2022. The most optimistic estimates still demonstrate a critical issue. As cybersecurity threats continue to grow in sophistication, scope, and scale, the ability to secure the United States from these threats lies in the ability to develop cybersecurity professionals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to accomplish the tasks associated with their cyber roles. The ability to supply qualified cybersecurity professionals is outpaced by the growing demand as previously outlined. This study proposes that conducting a case study of existing cybersecurity programs at secondary education institutions can identify the critical elements of these programs. These elements can be codified into program profiles and further refined into a comprehensive cybersecurity education framework for secondary education institutions. This framework can be used by school districts throughout Arizona to develop cybersecurity programs and ultimately develop qualified and competent cybersecurity professionals to overcome the cybersecurity workforce gap

Thriving in a colder and more challenging climate

Hawkridge, D., Ng, K., & Verjans, S. (Eds.) (2011). Thriving in a colder and more challenging climate. The 18th annual conference of the Association for Learning Technology (ALT-C 2011). September, 6-8, 2011, University of Leeds, England, UK. URI:http://repository.alt.ac.uk/2159Here are the proceedings of the 2011 ALT Conference ‘‘Thriving in a colder and more challenging climate’’. Proceedings papers report on a piece of research, possibly in its early stages, or they can be ‘‘thoughtpieces’’ which state a point of view or summarise an area of work, perhaps giving new insights. The conference has six themes: . Research and rigour: creating, marshalling and making effective use of evidence . Making things happen: systematic design, planning and implementation . Broad tents and strange bedfellows: collaborating, scavenging and sharing to increase value . At the sharp end: enabling organisations and their managers to solve business, pedagogic and technical challenges . Teachers of the future: understanding and influencing the future role and practices of teachers . Preparing for a thaw: looking ahead to a time beyond the disruptive discontinuities of the next few years. Interestingly, there were very few proposals for the conference as a whole against the sixth theme: and no proceedings papers. Perhaps the thaw is still perceived as being too far away to warrant any preparation yet!Association for learning technolog

Estudo comparativo de desempenho de infraestrutura de arquiteturas de rede intra datacenter

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Departamento de Ciência da Computação, 2019.Os datacenters de grande escala formam o principal suporte de infraestrutura para os serviços em constante expansão, portanto, as características de desempenho e custo têm um impacto significativo nas instituições que necessitam estes serviços de tecnologia da informação. Os datacenters estão se tornando cada vez mais populares com a sua flexibilidade e capacidade de processamento no moderno ambiente de computação. Eles são gerenciados e monitorados para permitir o provisionamento dinâmico de recursos, otimização de desempenho, bem como para permitir a utilização eficiente de recursos disponíveis. Cada datacenter consiste em computação massiva, recursos de rede e armazenamento conectados por cabos. A natureza em larga escala dos datacenters requer cuidadoso planejamento de computação, armazenamento, nós de rede, interconexão, assim como a intercomunicação para a operação eficaz e eficiente entre os ativos da infraestrutura. Nesse contexto, foi realizado um significativo trabalho de pesquisa por Reyes e Bauschert em 2018 [2] sobre os custos de arquiteturas de rede em datacenters , a fim de elencar as Data Center Networks (DCNs) de menor custo financeiro. Tomando esse trabalho de custo das arquiteturas DCN Leaf-Spine, Fat-tree, Hybrid Fat-tree, Facebook 4-post e Facebook New Fabric como base, nossa pesquisa visa medir o desempenho dessas DCNs em diferentes cenários. O desempenho destas cinco arquiteturas foi analisado em relação ao atraso e à taxa de transferência, já que no estudo feito por Reyes e Bauschert, apenas o custo monetário foi considerado. Inicialmente, apresentamos a pesquisa em várias topologias DCNs representativas, com comparações e várias propriedades para destacar suas vantagens e desvantagens. A variedade de topologias DCNs leva a uma forte necessidade de um método padronizado para suas avaliações e comparações. Desta forma, usamos o Mininet, um simulador de uso geral que suporta as arquiteturas DCNs mais conhecidas e atuais. Este simulador modular e flexível permite fácil extensão para suportar as topologias e as métricas propostas. Com o apoio do Mininet, apresentamos o desempenho das avaliações e comparações objetivas das métricas de latência (atraso) e taxa de transferência das cinco arquiteturas DCNs acima mencionadas. Ao final desse trabalho, obtivemos como resultado que as arquiteturas baseadas em Leaf-Spine tiveram melhor desempenho, portando nosso estudo sugere que as arquiteturas Leaf-Spine tem o melhor custo benefício.Large-scale datacenters form the primary infrastructure support for ever-expanding services, so performance and cost characteristics have a significant impact on those IT services-requiring institutions. Datacenters are becoming increasingly popular with their flexibility and processing power in the modern computing environment. They are managed and monitored to enable dynamic resource provisioning, performance optimization as well as ecient utilization of available resources. Each datacenter consists of massive computing, network resources and wired storage. The large-scale nature of datacenters requires careful planning of computing, storage, network nodes, interconnection as well as intercommunication for their eective and ecient operation among infrastructure assets. In this context, significant research was done by Reyes and Bauschert in 2018 [2] regarding the cost of datacenter network architectures in order to define the Data Center Network (DCN) with lower financial costs. Based on this work, that considers five DCNs architectures (Leaf-Spine, Fat-tree, Hybrid Fat-tree, Facebook 4-post, and FacebookNew Fabric) our research aims to measure their performance. We will verify the performance of the five architectures in relation to delay and throughput, since in the study by Reyes and Bauschert only the monetary cost is considered. First, we present the research of several representative DCN topologies, along with comparisons and various properties to highlight their advantages and disadvantages. The variety of DCN topologies leads to a strong need for a standardized method for evaluating and comparing various DCN architectures. Thus, we used Mininet, a general purpose simulator that supports the most well-known and current DCN architectures. This simulator is modular and flexible, allowing easy extension to support the proposed computation topologies and metrics. With Mininet’s support, we present the performance of objective evaluations and comparisons of the delay and bandwidth metrics of the five DCN architectures aforementioned. At the end of this work, we obtained the result that the architectures based on Leaf-Spinet had better performance, therefore our study leads us to believe that the Leaf-Spinet architectures have the best cost-benefit trade-off