Computing Labs on Virtual Environments: A Flexible, Portable, and Multidisciplinary Model

Computer-aided teaching of practical subjects in engineering education poses new challenges. Computers have to be configured to support the particular requirements of each subject. Virtual environments allow the building of a virtual machine (VM) tailored to the requirements of each subject, allowing flexible, versatile, and low-cost laboratory configurations. However, the use of multiple VM at a shared computing facility poses new problems on the lab sessions, both technical and performance related. To solve these challenges, we have developed the VM on-demand tool. This tool automates the adaptation of each VM to the environment in which it is deployed. As a result, the creation of computer-aided engineering laboratories on a shared computing facility using VM is possible and profitable.