University Department Computers

This project arose when the students who used Ghost to push images to an university department’s lab was having problems with one row of computers. This row nearly always failed to obtain an IP address after a push from the Ghost server. After much consideration and collaboration with others it was decided that it must be the switch. If the switch did not have PortFast enabled, it was a possibility that the command shell Ghost used to boot to the virtual partition was timing out before it ever obtained an IP address. The student simply enabled PortFast on the switch and it fixed the problem.

Project Student: Rick Wilburn

Testimonials

I have definitely determined that this class could be just like a real life IT position. You never know how long a project might take, even a simple task. I’ve had some tasks take only a couple of hours, and I worked on one project for 36 hours straight. But I feel that Living Lab is helping to prepare me for what will come in the professional world. Eugene Gephart

As a web development major, I was able to develop several different web sites from the ground up. I could easily use these projects as examples of my work in a portfolio. Josh Apgar

The Living Lab experience has helped me see what it can be like in the real world. David C. Bryant

Before Living Lab, I had no work experience related to my IT career. I am grateful to my teachers for their support and encouragement on my projects. I experienced projects hands-on and improved my soft and technical skills. I learned how to work independently and also with a team as needed. I recommend students learn by direct practice and experience the Living Lab. It will introduce you to your prospective career! Ibrahim Issakha Doude

The Living Lab has taught me that not all projects will go as planned. You will run into problems and situations that frustrate you. I have, however, learned a great deal about logs and log management. I gained confidence in my problem-solving skills and overcoming obstacles when it comes to IT projects . Samuel J. Jacobs

The Living Lab was a life-changing experience, because this is how I got my first IT job. I gained knowledge and hands-on experience through contributions on a variety of projects for Simon Property Group. You never know all the solutions for all the problems, which makes it challenging and interesting. I went for another semester in the Living Lab, because I enjoy learning new techniques that will be valuable in the future. Yan Grishin

Throughout this class, I have learned a great deal of information. It gave me an idea of how how the IT world runs and prepared us for it. Abdulrahman Jassem M. Alzaman

My Living Lab experience has been really challenging and a life-learning, real-world experience. James Lamar Willis

I didn’t know what to expect when I signed up for the Living Lab. It has been a long and difficult journey this semester, but I got hands-on experience with Linux. I hoped to cover more networking material, but setting up an intrusion detection system and troubleshooting commands did make this seemingly impossible task for a student with no prior experience more approachable. I also got to make network cables for the first time, which was an added bonus. Nelson Soriano

As a non-traditional student who has 25 years experience in the working world, I value Living Lab because it teaches soft skills in addition to furthering our understanding of technology. The projects we work on are computer based, but the most important lessons are work ethic, initiative, self-sufficiency, dealing with work-related frustrations, teamwork, and time management. Vicky Smith