DTNET: Toward A Digital-Twin Computer Networks Education

Computer networks is an important subfield under the discipline of computer science. Due to the inherent abstraction and difficulty of computer networks, in addition to theories classroom teaching, educators often deepen students' understanding by giving them hands-on practice. However, the current ways of practicing are too expensive or too abstract. To tackle this problem, this paper proposes DTnet, a computer networks education software platform that leverages digital-twin technology to give educators a cheaper and more vivid choice. DTnet creates the digital twin of computer networks, allowing students to step into the digital world of computer networks and better appreciate the knowledge. From a technical perspective, DTnet utilizes Unity technology to build 3D scenes of computer networks in schools, enterprises, etc., allowing students to interact and operate with the 3D network devices. From a pedagogical perspective, we design a series of DTnet-based experiments to teach students basic to advanced computer networks knowledge, including an experiment that utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) to solve a traditional network problem. We also discuss the potential of DTnet to promote global cooperation in computer networks education. So far, DTnet has trained 259 students. DTnet's achievements in the field of pedagogy were awarded by the provincial government and the National Institute of Communications.