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11/21/2008 12:29:46 AM ET
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The list of vLab Frequently Asked Questions will help you
get started with your lab and address some initial questions you may have. There is an FAQ page devoted to Lab Procedures for Cisco and Microsoft labs, an expanded FAQ list offered
once you are in the lab, and further information about accessing your lab is available in our
vLab overview. You might find it useful to print out this and the Lab Procedures FAQ page.
Access to this feature may not be part of your subscription. If you cannot see this feature on the site, ask your administrator about feature availability.
General Information
What is vLab technology?
vLab technology is real, hands-on experience with real routers or real computers. It is not a simulation or a computer-based training program. Each lab provides an experience similar to working on a production network at a company.
Each Cisco lab is designed to enable you to practice a certain aspect of working with Cisco equipment (in most situations you wouldn’t be sitting in the server closet with the routers, you’d be telnetting to another site and configuring the routers remotely).
Each Microsoft lab is designed to enable you to practice a certain aspect of designing, configuring, or administering Windows 2000 systems, as if you were sitting at the computer console.
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Where does the lab content come from?
World-renowned network experts were employed to develop our course content. All of the authors are vendor certified as instructors and/or consultants in their fields. The training modules are based on real world applications and issues. The authors developed the lab modules based on their extensive experience training and consulting as information technology specialists, and their expertise in solving problems and situations they encounter.
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Is there an expiration date to the labs?
No, we do not expire labs. Labs you've purchased are available in your locker until your subscription expires.
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Can I get help with the labs if I get stuck?
Yes. Online hints and help are part of each learning module. You can follow the on-screen guided instructions in the "Sample Solution." As needed, you can follow links to background material explaining the principles involved, as well as a step-by-step guide that will show you how to solve the problem.
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What is the benefit of taking a vLab system self-study course?
The vLab system modules are flexible and help to extend and reinforce your technical experience. Students can select modules by vendor or technology that are targeted specifically to their needs without sitting through an entire day or week of training. The convenient combination of theoretical content and hands-on lab time allows students to work at their own pace, and on their own schedule. And it’s a fun way to learn.
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Why are some labs more expensive than others?
Pricing is sensitive to the complexity of the equipment involved and to the amount of time the equipment is in use. Most Cisco labs deploy three devices and have a 55 minute completion time. Some Cisco labs deploy six routers, have a longer time limit, and have an additional premium applied. Microsoft labs can employ 1, 2, 3 or 4 computers and require anywhere from 40 to 80 minutes of lab time.
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Can I get copies of the exercises for use on my own equipment?
No, the lab exercises and the learning interface are copyrighted intellectual property. As part of the terms and conditions for your course registration, each student is asked to affirm that:
- They will not print or copy course materials, except as expressly provided in the course directions.
- They will not copy, modify, distribute, or publish any or all components of the course, including graphics, tests, exercises, or text.
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What is the Cisco Configuration Manager?
The Cisco Configuration Manager is used to edit, view, create and delete configurations. It lists your configurations as well as the system configurations that have been set up. You'll see the name of the configuration, lab ID, last time it was modified, and the network type.
Using Configurations
During lab exercises, you create, revise, and save configuration files. Typically, you'll use the starting configuration provided for the lab, adding to this to solve the exercise. Once you've completed the session, you can save the configuration in your Lab Folder.
Loading a Configuration
- In the Console, select the check box corresponding to the device in the Device Status and Controls section.
- Click Load. The Load Configuration page displays a list of all your saved configurations that match the network device(s) you selected.
- In the Name column, click the link for the configuration you want to load. The system will prompt you with "Are you sure you want to load the configuration configuration_name?"
- Click OK. The system loads the selected configuration to the devices specified.
Saving a Configuration
- In the Console, select the check box corresponding to the device in the Device Status and Controls section.
- Click Save. The system displays the Save Configuration pop-up window.
- Enter a name for the configuration in the Configuration Name field.
- Click Save. The system saves the configuration to the Configuration Manager.
Note: Click Cancel to close the Save Configuration pop-up window without saving the configuration.
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Do the labs correspond with Cisco’s Career Certification program?
Our vLab system is Cisco’s designated Remote Lab Provider for their E-Learning product line. The vLab system is the perfect compliment to the existing training channels such as Instructor Led Training (ILT) and Computer Based Training (CBT). The vLab system is a modular, "self-study" learning environment that is well suited to extend or further develop the materials covered in the Career Certification program.
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Do the labs correspond with Microsoft's Career Certification program?
As part of the vLab for Windows system, we have developed over 100 different labs for all 7 of the major Microsoft Windows 2000 Certification exams. These labs map directly to the exam objectives. The vLab for the Windows system is a modular, "self-study" learning environment that is well suited to extend or further develop the materials covered in the Career Certification program. This vLab system is the perfect compliment to the existing online training solutions offered, such as Web-based tutorials (WBT) and Online Instructor-led (e-ILT).
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Operating System Questions
What resources does my computer need to use vLab technology?
The web-based content can be viewed with current versions of Netscape and Internet Explorer browsers. Access to the Cisco equipment groups requires a Java-enabled browser or a standard TCP/IP stack supporting telnet, FTP, and PING. Each student is responsible for configuring and maintaining their computer, obtaining an internet connection with a frames-based browser, and implementing any required software for their computer.
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A note about vLab System Requirements
All Users
If you access the
Internet from behind a proxy server, you may not be able to take a
vLab. This affects AOL and Gateway.net users who use a modified browser and those who
access vLab technology from behind a corporate firewall.
Modified browsers users should use either Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator
(both 4.0 or higher). Users behind a corporate proxy server should
access vLab technology through a commercial ISP account.
Note: If your company restricts telnet, you will not be able to use the online version of the vLab system. In some cases your network will require you to access through a special telnet gateway. If IP Inspector times out or returns an error message, contact your network administrator, or system manager.
Macintosh Users
Users with Macintosh operating systems must run a telnet
plug-in to allow access to our routers. If you're a Macintosh user and do
not have this plug-in, go to: Tucows, select a region close to you for download,
and select the"Telnet" link under the "Network Tools" section. We recommend BetterTelnet 2.0, which can be downloaded free of charge.
Browser Requirements
The vLab system is supported by Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer versions.
Download Netscape Navigator
Download Internet Explorer
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Can I use the browser my cable modem service provider offers?
If the service provides a standard Netscape or Internet Explorer browser, yes. If it provides another browser, that browser may not work. In that case, download and run the Internet Explorer or Netscape browser to access our site and take a lab.
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Can I take vLab training using modified browsers (AOL, @Home, RoadRunner)?
Please note that vLabs cannot be accessed with a Gateway.net or AOL browser. These browsers
use a modified version of Internet Explorer in addition to restricting services on various ports. Students using
modified browsers should run Internet Explorer or
Netscape Navigator to access our
site and take a lab.
To access vLabs:
- Minimize your modified browser window, but don't end your browser session. It's important that the
modified browser be kept running.
- Begin a new browser session using Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.
- Login to .
- Click the link to your vLab Exercise on My Training.
These directions are applicable for @Home and RoadRunner or
any other ISP that uses a customized browser.
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How do I take the labs if I'm behind a firewall or using a proxy?
If you're behind a firewall or using a proxy, then you'll need to contact the administrator of your network to set things up for you so that you can access our site via telnet. Generally if you have a proxy server, our system will look at the return IP address of the proxy and not your actual computer. When you start a lab, it will come up with a page that has what the system thinks is your IP address. If you're located behind a firewall, you have to have the administrator grant you permission to use telnet.
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My company proxies http (restricts telnet). Can I still run the vLab service from work?
If your company restricts telnet, you will not be able to use the online version of the vLab system. In some cases your network will require you to gain access through a special telnet gateway. If the start of a vLab session times out or returns an error message, contact your network administrator, or system manager.
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My AOL browser doesn’t work with your system.
AOL uses a modified version of Internet Explorer in addition to restricting services on various ports. You need to minimize the AOL application after you have logged in. Then run your Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator browser to access our site and take a lab. This would also hold true for @Home and RoadRunner or any other ISP that uses a customized browser.
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I can't log into My Locker from . What should I do?
Since your vLab sessions take place on a website connected to , but not directly on our site, you may occasionally experience connection problems. If this is the case, try to login later. Scheduled labs that are missed because of difficulties with the site can be rescheduled with no extra charge.
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I'm having connection or configuration problems during my telnet session, what should I do?
If you're experiencing problems during your session, click the Telnet Troubleshooting link found in the left navigation bar for more information.
Because vLabs involve the operation of a telnet session in addition to a web browser session, they're more complicated to set up and execute than an online course. As a result, we offer a satisfaction guarantee. If you're unable to complete a vLab session due to a technical problem you'll be given a free vLab session to replace it. If you're dissatisfied with a vLab session, contact Customer Support so we can address the issue or enter a replacement lab in your vLab Locker.
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What should I do if I still have a question about my vLab?
If you can't access your vLab or are experiencing problems, go to Contact Us and fill out a support request, or chat online with a representative.
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User Questions
How do I schedule a lab?
- In the vLab Locker, click the button in the Schedule column that corresponds to the lab you want to schedule.
- In the scheduler, click in the text field to enter a specific time OR
- click the Calendar link to select a time for the automatic start of the lab. Click Done to record your selection, or Now to record the current date and time. This will prompt the system to check available lab resources to prepare the lab to be taken immediately.
- Click Submit to finalize your request.
- The system returns you to the Scheduler. If the timeframe is available, the date and time will appear in the field on the Scheduler page. To accept, click Submit. If the timeframe is not available, the system presents two alternative times. Select one of the options presented, or view other available times by clicking the View Previous or View Next links at the bottom of the page. Note: The system scheduler operates in fifteen minute increments.
Note: A lab automatically begins at its scheduled time, unless you remove it from the schedule. All times are displayed in the time zone configured for your PC.
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How do I reschedule/unschedule a lab?
Rescheduling
If the time you've scheduled to take the lab has not yet come, you can replace the currently scheduled time with a new time for the lab.
To change the date and time you want to take a lab you've already scheduled:
- Click the button in the Schedule column that corresponds to the lab you want to reschedule.
- Select the radio button marked Reschedule this lab, and click Schedule this lab to begin at:.
- Enter the new date and time, or select the new date and time from the calendar.
- Click Done to record your selection or click Now to record the current date and time.
- Click Submit to finalize your request.
- The system returns you to the Scheduler. If the timeframe is available, the new date and time appears in the field. To accept, click Submit. If the timeframe is not available, the system presents two alternative times. Select one of the options presented, or view other available times by clicking the View Previous or View Next links at the bottom of the page. Note: The system scheduler operates in fifteen minute increments.
Unscheduling
To remove a lab from the schedule:
- Click the button in the Schedule column that corresponds to the lab you want to unschedule.
- Select the radio button marked Unschedule this lab.
- Click Submit. The lab appears in your locker as unscheduled.
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How do I take the labs?
- Click the vLab Exercises link on My Courses, or the vLab Locker link on My Training.
- In your locker, you will see your available labs.
- Click on the lab you want to take.
- In the lab folder, select "Preview Scenario."
- Read the scenario carefully. We generally recommend you print it
for your reference.
- Take the time to plan your solution. Read the appropriate chapters
in your text books. Include commands you'll use, and look up areas in
which you have questions.
- When you are fully prepared, log back in and select the lab.
- In the lab folder, either click on the start button to take the
lab now (assuming lab resources are available) or schedule it for a
convenient time and return at that time to take the lab.
- As soon as you start the lab, print out the "Suggested Approach"
and "Sample Solution." The "Suggested Approach" is a high level
overview on how to approach the lab. The "Sample Solution" has the
detailed steps, hints, and explanations if you get stuck.
- Have Fun!
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Can I get back to during a vLab session?
We recommend that you don't access any of the top or left navigation buttons while taking a lab. If you leave the vLab training site, during your lab, you'll have to return to it through the vLabs link on My Courses or My Training, or click the Back button on your browser.
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What if I start a lab and it is too simple or too hard - can I skip to another lab?
We try to provide enough material in the course descriptions and objectives so that you will select the courses appropriately. It is a difficult process to refine since we offer our service to the full range of experience levels. If you make a mistake, or we just weren’t clear enough, we will provide an appropriate replacement lab.
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I am not sure that I am ready for this lab yet and would like to try a more basic lab first. Can I change to something for beginners?
Contact Technical Support at (800) 250-5013 and we can help change the lab for you.
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I was 10 minutes late starting my online session. Why can't I start my lab?
The session reservations are fixed time slots and the lab lengths are tested to ensure there is sufficient time for most users to complete the assignment. This precludes users who may want to veer off-topic to experiment in the midst of their lab, in which case, additional lab time would need to be purchased. Since the lab experience works with real physical equipment and the lab modules are scheduled on a real time basis, there comes a point when starting a lab late won't allow for enough time for any user to complete the lab and, therefore, the system won't allow the lab to begin.
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What can I do to prevent getting Run-time errors while on the vLab site?
Since our vLab training site exists separately from our Student site, you may occasionally experience some connection or time-out issues. Do not attempt to de-bug if prompted.
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Can the unused lab time be rescheduled?
Unfortunately, unused lab time cannot be saved to be used later. Since you are telnetting to actual routers and switches, or loading software on real computer systems, we have to limit access to the time the lab is taken.
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What should I do if I've been away from my system and my session has timed out?
If your session has timed out due to inactivity, close all browser sessions and log back into the Student Site. Access your vLab account through the vLab Exercises link on My Courses, or the vLab Locker link on My Training.
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I had an interrupted Lab. What do I need to do?
If you didn't perform any manual saves during your lab, your session will timeout after 5 minutes and the system will save your configurations, as long as you Return to Console within the hour. If it's outside the hour that was blocked off for you, the system will scrub the device configurations and make the equipment available for the next scheduled user. You can still Archive your configurations from within your locker, but you'll have to contact us so that we can place a new lab session in your locker.
If you did perform a manual Save and weren't able to save all the devices before you left the lab, the only configurations you'll have are the ones you manually saved. The other devices will only reload to the original starting configurations. You'll have to let the system scrub the equipment at the end of your scheduled session. In this case you can contact us and we can place a new lab session in your locker.
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I closed the Plan or Debrief Page without clicking the Save button. Is my Plan or Debrief automatically saved?
Clicking Save on the Plan or Debrief Page will store all information contained in your Plan or Debrief, and will close the Secondary browser window. In the event that you don't exit from your plan or debrief properly, such as manually closing the Secondary browser window, all completed Plan or Debrief information will be lost.
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Will my lab session terminate if I click Return to Locker?
Yes, Return to Locker will end your lab session, but all telnet windows will remain open. Your lab information will be saved upon exiting your session this way.
To terminate your vLab session, click Exit to disconnect from the system and close your main browser window; or click Disconnect to disconnect but keep your window open.
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I ran out of time and didn't finish my lab. What should I do to complete it?
To resume an unfinished lab, you have to archive the lab first. To archive, click the Archive button from Next Steps. This will move the lab from Completed to Archived. Once the lab is archived, you can View Archive, select Archive History and review your lab plan (if you made one), complete the Debrief session, or retrieve Saved Configurations. If you didn't have time to complete the lab, you could then re-purchase the lab (giving yourself another full clock) and copy/paste the saved configurations from your Archive into the device configurations of the new instance of the lab. In this way, you're able to pick up where you left off.
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How do I log all or part of my telnet session?
Students can log the commands they use during their telnet session using the log function. To begin logging, click Start Logging in the Commands drop-down box. Likewise, Stop Logging will discontinue the log. Logs can be saved to a local folder for later review.
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How do I Archive labs?
You can use the Archive feature to catalog old labs and resume incomplete labs where you left off. Even if you run a lab and never initiate any saves during the course of that lab, the system will automatically save your configurations when the lab is complete or runs out of time. At this point, the lab moves from the Purchased section of your locker to the Completed section, and the Archive option becomes available. Labs are not archived automatically.
To Archive, click the Archive button in the Next Steps area. This will move the lab from Completed to Archived. Once the lab is archived, you can View Archive, select Archive History and review your lab plan (if you made one), complete a Debrief, or retrieve Saved Configurations. If you didn't have time to complete the lab, you could then re-purchase the lab (giving yourself another full clock) and copy/paste the saved configurations from your Archive into the device configurations of the new instance of the lab. In this way, you're able to pick up where you left off.
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If I finish a lab quickly, what are my options?
You are welcome to continue working with the equipment group and try additional configurations. The complete lab experience includes web-based training content, and online access to equipment. No credit is available for unused time.
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Will I break anything if I fool around with the equipment after I finish my lab?
No, the vLab system modules support the training of many levels of students. There are reset procedures to reinitialize the configurations that are required to begin each lab. Feel free to experiment.
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How do I resume a Plan that I have saved but not exited from?
You can resume unfinished Plans by clicking the Plan button from Next Steps. The system will open a Secondary browser window containing the Plan Page. If you've already saved a partial or complete Plan for this vLab, the Plan Page will display all saved text.
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What happens when I resume a lab in progress after being disconnected?
If you're disconnected for any reason and you login again while your lab time is still in progress, the default selection for the lab in progress is this item. When you initiate the return to console all connections to the pod devices are reset. Click Submit when the Scheduler page appears and wait while the pod operation is performed by the system.
Once the devices are reset, you'll be able to resume your lab where you left off.
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How do I know if I’ve been successful in meeting all the objectives of the lab? Is there some type of confirmation or pass/fail grading?
The best way to judge your performance is to look at the sample solution and compare your steps with those recommended. For Cisco labs, you can also do a "show run" on the devices and compare the output with that shown in the Check Results section. For Microsoft labs, you can perform the steps suggested in the Check Results section.
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