NETLAB AE version 4.0.24 has been completed. Between Friday April 4, 2008 and Sunday April 6, 2008, this upgrade will become available through the normal software update process to all NETLAB AE customers with current support agreements. It will be installed automatically if automatic updates are enabled. Because of the size of this update, NDG will launch the update over a 3 day period.
AE Lab Additions and Updates
New Software Features
| Category | Before Update | After Update |
|---|---|---|
| Labs | Security labs start with no configuration. | NETLAB AE will preload the suggested configurations for labs that require them. |
| NETLAB AE uses the router interfaces depicted in the 1.1.1 Orientation Lab. This does not match the majority of the labs. | The router interfaces will align with the majority of the labs. This was done by changing the VLAN maps; no physical cable change to the pod is required. | |
| Network Security Pod | NETLAB AE uses the router interfaces depicted in the 1.1.1 Orientation Lab. This does not match the majority of the labs. | The router interfaces and topology drawing will align with the majority of the labs. This was done by changing the VLAN map; no physical cable change to the pod is required. |
| ASA 5510 | The Network Security pod guide documents PIX options. | ASA support has been added to the documentation. |
NETLAB AE version 4.0.23 has been completed. Between Friday August 17, 2007 at 5pm EST and Sunday August 19, 2007, 11pm EST, this upgrade will become available through the normal software update process to all NETLAB AE customers with current support agreements. It will be installed automatically if automatic updates are enabled. Because of the size of this update, NDG will launch the update over a 3 day period.
Lab Additions
CCNA 4.0 Exploration 1
CCNA 4.0 Exploration 2
CCNP 5.0 ISCW
CCNP 5.0 ONT
For details please refer to the lab information page.
You may also use NETLAB AE servers to host these new curriculum modules. For CCNA, you must obtain the LINUX zip file versions (available on Academy Connection); the Windows versions will not work.
Recent Pod Additions
Network Fundamentals Pod
Cuatro Router Pod
Cuatro Switch Pod
For details please refer to the topologies page.
4.0.23 Software Update
Added recognition of Cisco Packet Tracer 4.0 file extensions (.pka and .pkt). This change allows Packet Tracer exercises can be launched directly from curriculum hosted on NETLAB AE systems. Please note that Packet Tracer is a standalone application and must be installed on each user’s PC for this feature to work.
Added SNMP MIB changes for the APC Rackmount PDU. This update is required for compatibility with newer APC models or if the Ethernet management interface is upgraded to recent firmware.
Support added for Cisco Pagent IOS and automation to handle Pagent license
keys. Pagent IOS is used in the new CCNP ONT course. Please refer to
the ONT information page
and section 4 of the
NETLAB+ Administrator Guide for details.
NETLAB AE now supports CCNP 5.0: Building Multilayer Switched Networks switching labs. Cisco has worked closely with NDG to ensure that most BCMSN labs, case studies, and skills exams can be completed using NETLAB AE.
NDG has added the Cuatro Switch Pod (CSP) to support the new labs. Upgrades to Cisco hardware and IOS may be required to match the curriculum.
This update is now available through the normal software update process to all NETLAB AE customers with current support agreements, and is installed automatically (if automatic updates are enabled). For more information and detailed instructions, please review the BCMSN information page.
Please note, this update does not currently support wireless labs due to several limitations and known issues that are outside of NDG's control. Shortly after the release of NETLAB AE version 4.0.21 (coming soon), a wireless white paper will be published. This paper will explain how to setup an unsupported wireless pod for those Academies that can accept and work around the known issues and limitations.
NETLAB AE now supports CCNP 5.0: Building Scalable Internetworks. Cisco has worked closely with NDG to ensure that most BSCI labs, case studies, and skills exams can be completed using NETLAB AE, using existing router pods in most cases. Upgrades to Cisco hardware and IOS may be required to match the curriculum. Additional lab support and supplemental content will be posted to the Academy Connection Tools area in the near future.
This update is now available through the normal software update process to all NETLAB AE customers with current support agreements, and is installed automatically (if automatic updates are enabled). For more information and detailed instructions, please see the BSCI information page.
CCNP 3: Multilayer Switching have been revised to align with the new CCNP certification and released as version 5.0 with new title CCNP: Building Multilayer Switched Networks.
Cisco has worked closely with NDG to ensure that most labs can be completed using NETLABAE. NDG will soon provide new lab updates and additional pod types to support the new BCMSN curriculum. To help you prepare for these updates, please refer to the BCMSN information page.
Between Friday August 4th and Sunday August 13th all NETLABAE systems will be upgraded to the new NETLABAE 4.0 software. In response to the requests of many Academy program users, teachers, and administrators, this new upgrade will provide NETLABAE customers the tools to implement organized large-scale sharing of equipment resources with remote Academies. The NETLABAE 4.0 upgrade will also include beta pod and lab design software tools. These new beta software tools will allow the hosting Academy to add two custom equipment topologies to a NETLABAE system as well as host lab exercises written by instructors.
To learn more about this upgrade review the NETLABAE 4.0 release notes: http://www.netdevgroup.com/doc/NETLAB_Release_Notes_V400.pdf
NDG has created a new website feature that enables Cisco Networking Academies with NETLABAE systems to advertise their willingness to share resources with remote Academies. This new sharing portal is designed to help Academies that cannot afford NETLABAE and encourage worldwide sharing of equipment resources. Cisco Networking Academies that purchase NETLABAE can charge a cost recovery fee to the Academies accessing equipment remotely. Each hosting Academy can define their unique sharing model and list the equipment hosted at their site.
NDG recognizes that budget constraints may present a challenge for many Academies. To help with this challenge the NETLAB Academy Edition® License and Support agreement will allow Academies to share access to a NETLABAE system with remote Academy participants that cannot afford to purchase or operate annually their own system. If three or four schools share access to a NETLABAE system, the cost per student comes down significantly and the potential lab access goes up significantly.
Visit this new sharing site at: http://www.netdevgroup.com/ae/sharing.
NDG has completed a lab update for CCNA Course 2. Fourty-four (44) labs from CCNA2 have been included with the NETLAB version 3.7.3 software update. Eleven (11) of the labs support virtual PCs using the new Basic Router Pod Version 2.
For details, please see the CCNA Course 2 support page.
Please note: a separate VMWare GSX server and software is required for remote PC support in these new pods.
NDG is pleased to introduce three new PC-enabled lab topologies for NETLAB Academy Edition.
On November 26, 2005, these new pods will be distributed to all NETLAB AE customers with current maintenance. There will be a beta period from November 26, 2005 to December 31, 2005. All NETLAB AE customers may participate. These new pod types are additions to NETLAB AE. Earlier versions of these pods remain supported to provide a lower cost alternative (but with less functionality).
The NETLAB Academy Edition® distributor SIGMAnet has worked with NDG and the Cisco Networking Academy Program® to develop a program that will allow Academies to purchase NETLAB Academy Edition® from your local Academy reseller.