The design guidelines for virtual network laboratories

In the age of rapid development of communication technologies the educational process in the area of communication networks has the enormous significance. In this process the large number of skilled network professionals such as: software developers, system administrators, security engineers, etc., has to be trained. One of the most important elements of this process is existence of suitable educational environments. Nowadays the virtual network laboratories emerged as highly efficient environments for training network professionals. These environments are based on virtualization technology and provide working conditions in the emulated environments with the high level of reality. This paper deals with the important issues to be concerned in process of design and implementation of these laboratories. The structure of this laboratories and its configuration strongly depends on purpose and needs of the educational process itself, as well as of the current technology trends in the world. In this paper is presented the approach in defining the structure of virtual network laboratory and its design. This approach is based on research of current market trends, the dominant platforms and technologies used today, and on world trends in high education strategy and planning, especially in the area of networking and communication and related subjects as well. Analyzed data is used for design of the high efficiency virtual network laboratory able to provide the desired learning outcome. The architecture and structure of implemented laboratory is also described.