Remote unix Learning Environment (RULE)
Flexible Learning with RULE
There are a number of advantages to using remotely accessible virtual hosts compared to local access to physical machines.
Flexible Access
Not only does remote access allow simplified scalability, it also makes class scheduling significantly simpler, as it
elimiates the demand for access to specialised equipment, which is usually the case with dedicated Unix labs.
With access available from any appropriately configured Windows lab, students can not only use their own virtual host from on
campus computer labs, but if appropriate VPN access is available, students can access their virtual hosts
from home. This level of flexibility is simply not possible with conventional Unix labs. Students no longer have to wait
around for a free machine to work on an assignment, which can be especially frustrating with a looming deadline.
Flexible Class Preparation
As often lab classes require all students in the lab have access to a particular application or group of files, a controlled method
of sharing applications and data is advantageous. RULE allows such controlled filesharing at the click of a button. Even CD images
can be shared between all virtual hosts in a class, or even in a whole subject. Shared files can even be changed during a lab, and
changes take effect immediately. The ability to change files used for lab experiments and assignments on the fly can be particularly
useful when an error is discovered in lab material just before (or even during) a lab.
Simplified Troubleshooting in Lab Classes
Lab demonstrators quite often have their hands full in Unix labs, with a class of students who have come from a Windows background
and need a helping hand to find their feet on Unix. With root access, sometimes students learn the powers of a Unix super-user
account the hard way. A common problem with students and Unix accounts seems to be forgotten (or with root access accidently changed)
passwords. Although resetting a password manually is possible it is a time consuming process and difficult to do in the middle of a class.
With JHT Administrator a lab demonstrator can jump into a virtual host even when the normal avenues or remote access have failed,
user and root passwords can be changed from within the virtual host or directly from the GUI in a single click.
JHT Administrator also displays the state of a class of virtual hosts graphically to alert the lab demonostrator (or possibly system
administrator) of potential problems in a timely manner. Timley solutions to problems in the lab keep students and demonstrators
happy.
System Administration
Having multiple virtual hosts on the same physical machine also has a number of advantages. Controlling the type and speed of network
traffic entering and leaving a class of virtual hosts is simple compared with implementing such measures on a network of physical
machines, saving system administrators time.
Monitor and Collect Student Work
As FreeBSD's jailed host configuration allows a (super) user on the primary host machine to view and manipulate the filesystems of
running virtual hosts, automated collection of files becomes a trivial task.
Files that you may want to automatically collect (and possibly analyse) include student work (assignments or practicals) and log files.
Along with log files program process identifiers or PIDs can be used to detect plagiarism with relative ease.
Being able to monitor student logins and requesting the PIDs of programs run as part of the lab to be included in the lab report
makes detection of plagiarism much simpler. Depending on configuration it may be possible to determine not only which assignments are
copies, but which one was the original.
