Cloud Labs as a Tool for Learning Cisco CyberSecurity Operations and DevNet Associate Fundamentals Courses

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the problem of using the corporate cloud of the university in the process of studying some courses of the Cisco Network Academy. Today, many universities have similar academies, while others can open them. Based on the free software platforms Apache CloudStack and EVE-NG Community Edition, the authors have developed and implemented 2 cloud labs. One of them is designed to teach the course “CCNA CyberOperations”, and other is “DevNet Associate Fundamentals Courses”. Both laboratories work on the IaaS model. Thanks to the technology of built-in virtualization, the work of many virtual machines, storage of their state, traffic analysis and visualization of network topologies is supported. The article describes the experience of teaching students majoring in “Secondary Education. Computer Science”. The authors conducted a survey of students who studied in the courses. The purpose of the survey was to determine how satisfied the learners were with the course. Statistical processing of the results was performed based on the Rasch model using MiniSteps software and R language. Students highly rated on-line curriculum materials, access to virtual machines, clear and easy to understand lessons, presenting information in multiple ways.