Versatile Networks Laboratory (VeNeLa) Project

这个项目建立了一个多功能的计算机网络实验室，以加强计算机信息系统课程，以应对电信技术迅速发展所带来的挑战。该实验室旨在实现多功能性、可扩展性和对新技术的适应性，并单独或并发配置以处理四(4)种协议：10Mbps以太网、快速以太网、异步传输模式（ATM）和令牌环上的光纤分布式数据接口（FDDI）。实验室的设计和实验练习都改编自以前的NSF示范项目以及当前的文献。以前，计算机网络课程的教学没有任何动手实验练习，以加强课堂讲课。设计用于拟议实验室的实验练习正在极大地改变一些计算机课程的教学方式。一些实验室项目和练习是对以前NSF资助的类似性质的示范材料的改编和实施。其他的收集自已发表的文献，这些文献阐述了由NSF直接或间接资助的成功网络项目。所有这些调整都是基于网络技术和网络流量的当前状态来实现的。拟议中的实验室及其创新活动将对计算机科学在当地的教学方式产生积极影响。它也有可能成为一种适用于其他地点的模式。

This project establishes a versatile computer networks laboratory to enhance the CIS curriculum to meet the challenges presented by the rapid advancement of telecommunications technology. The laboratory is being designed for versatility, scalability and adaptability to new technology and is separately or concurrently configured to handle four (4) protocols: 10Mbps ethernet, fast ethernet, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), and fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) on token ring. The design of the laboratory and the lab exercises are being adapted from previous exemplary NSF projects as well as from the current literature. Previously, the course in computer networks was taught without any hands-on laboratory exercise to reinforce class lectures. The laboratory exercises designed to be used in the proposed laboratory are dramatically changing the way several computer courses are being taught. Some of the laboratory projects and exercises are adaptations and implementations of exemplary materials from previous NSF grants of similar nature. Others are gathered from published literature expounding on successful networking projects which resulted from grants that were directly or indirectly supported by NSF. All of these adaptations are being implemented based on the current state of networking technology and network traffic.The proposed laboratory and its innovative activities will have a positive impact on the way computer science is taught at the local site. It has potential to be a model suitable for adaptation for other sites as well.