Study on the Usability of GNS3 for Teaching and Learning System and Network Administration

Author(s):

Tashi Wangchuk , Jigme Namgyel Engineering College Royal University of Bhutan

Keywords:

Effectiveness, GNS3, Network Administration, System Administration, Virtual Network

Abstract:

System and network administration training requires intensive hands-on practice. However, due to a large number of students in a classroom, giving access to real physical servers and networking devices to the individual students is not feasible and unrealistic. Instead, simulation-based teaching is used as an alternative. This study was intended to assess the students’ satisfaction and the limitations associated with the teaching and learning of System and Network Administration in a simulated virtual network among the diploma in Computer System and Network students of Jigme Namgyel Engineering College, 2017. This cross-sectional study was conducted among the second year Computer Hardware and Networking students. A total of 44 students participated in this study of which 67.6% agreed that system and network administration can be infact taught and learned in the virtual network using GNS3 as opposed to using the real physical equipment, while 13.5% of the participants were undecided. 54% of the students felt that they had either a good or an excellent learning experience using GNS3, while 37.8% had experienced an average learning experience. It was found that using the real physical equipment in the teaching and learning was desired but in the cases of budget constraints, GNS3 could be used as well as a supplementary tool to meet the learning outcomes in case of the resource constraints.

Other Details:

Manuscript Id	:	IJSTEV4I10018
Published in	:	Volume : 4, Issue : 10
Publication Date	:	01/05/2018
Page(s)	:	34-37

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