Enterasys Networks is completing beta testing of its Remote Access Lab (RAL), which is designed to enable resellers to continue with their training objectives, without incurring a lot of cost.
“”There’s two facets to our desire with the Remote Access Lab,”” said John Snyrnos, vice-president of
education and support services for Enterasys. “”One is certainly to provide access to our partners and customers to the new equipment. But another, and probably what drove development more than anything else, was the desire to support technical training.””
Enterasys has traditionally used the classroom, instructor-led training method for all of its partners. This meant the company had to shell out big bucks to equip fixed classrooms, while instructors had to carry around large kits with more equipment.
“”What the Remote Access Lab allows us to do is provide that access virtually, in a manner that we can still meet the objectives of lugging the equipment around,”” said Snyrnos.
The RAL can offer partners access of up to 10 different pieces of equipment within a single session. The equipment’s configuration can also be customized and put into a sandbox lab.
“”All [the partner] has to do is tell us what equipment they want and we can basically compile that together into a lab,”” said Andy Beats, program manager, worldwide technical training for Enterasys.
Through the RAL, Enterasys is utilizing VoIP to enable a live instructor to demonstrate new technologies to a global audience.
“”The whole Remote Access Lab is a paradigm shift, to put it lightly, in that the end user of the training has typically wanted to see and touch and put their fingers on a switch or router or something that’s right in front of them,”” said Beats.
The RAL currently enables end users to access about 120 lab exercises, with certification training being the primary focus.
“”We’re in an IT downsizing right now, so resources for spending on training we’ve noticed has dropped off some on the instructor-led side,”” said Beats. “”[But] we’ve noticed that the premetric exam has actually been on an upswing. Then they go and take the premetric exams. We’re [also] finding certification is on an upswing.””