A Linux-based Lab for Operating Systems and Network Courses

Abstract

Introduction We describe our experiences installing and using a teaching laboratory based on the Linux operating system. The lab is a platform for undergraduate operating systems and networking education in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Auburn University. We have deliberately made the software and hardware environments of the lab quite heterogeneous, but Linux has always been the workhorse of the lab. Linux was chosen primarily due to the wide range of hardware supported, the sophistication of its kernel, and the availability of source code and documentation. The authors believe that "hands-on" experience is an essential component of computer science education, and that most current curricula rely far too heavily on simulation when teaching systems issues. 2 Teaching Systems Programming Our primary motivation for building this laboratory was that we not shortchange our students when it comes to practical experience with systems programmi