Network Lab at Technological University of America

The network lab at College of Engineering and Information Technology (CEIT), Technological University of America (TUA) is a state of the art facility comprising of latest networking gear for routing and switching. The lab has been designed in such a way that complex network environments can be simulated as well as emulated. The lab has 4 fixed bots and 2 mobile bots, and each bot can act as an independent complex network. The routers and switches deployed in these bots are connected to each other by cat 6 cables and each bot is connected with each other by means of fiber optic mesh network. To complement the presence of switches and routers, the lab also boasts of 20 physical powerful intel servers which use virtualized environments to host upto 8 independent servers.

The unique octagonal design of the lab not just segregates each bot but also preserves the proximity from the network designer. The octagonal shape of the lab helps conserve the simplicity of complex network while imparting technical knowhow to the students.

Experiments that involve emulation of simple to complex enterprise environments can easily be implemented in this lab. The lab also has latest version of cisco packet tracer and gnsview for basic and complex network simulation. Also research scenarios that require networking hardware to be connected in a loop with an apt simulation setup in Matlab or OPNET can be implemented. The lab has the potential to serve as a test bed for highly complex network implementations and design.

In the initial phase, CEIT aims to utilize this lab for training students with cisco, Microsoft and network infrastructure certifications such as CCENT, CCNA Explorer, MCITP, Network +, Security +, Linux + etc.. The lab is an integral part of Cisco, Microsoft and CompTIA authorized training centers at TUA.

Owing to the policy of the University, the higher management specifically, VP Cesar Barrantes has invested a great deal of effort in making sure his vision of providing latest and the best to students is turned into reality. The network lab at TUA is one of the steps in that direction. The concept, design and technical specification of the lab was prepared by Dr. Qutub Ali Bakhtiar (Phd in Telecommunications, Cisco Certified Instructor) who left no stone unturned to make this lab one of its kind in Florida. According to Dr. Bakhtiar, this lab can serve as a flexible ground for people who have no knowledge in networking as well as people who are networking experts and researchers. In a nutshell, this lab is for people who want to learn anything and everything about networking and system administration.

For more information about the lab reservations and enquiries, contact Dr. Q Ali Bakhtiar – abakhtiar@tuauniversity.org