NDG offers two hands-on training platforms that solve the same underlying problem (giving learners real lab time without a room full of hardware) in different ways. This guide is for educators and program administrators deciding which one fits.
This guide covers which platform suits which kind of program, and why.
The two platforms in one paragraph each
NETLAB+ is a private-cloud lab platform that your organization installs and runs. A single NETLAB+ system lets multiple classes share the same pool of virtual machines and real network equipment remotely, so a single lab investment supports many classes. You manage the system, control the course catalog, and own the infrastructure.
NDG Online is browser-based. Courses and labs run on NDG's cloud, so learners log in and work through exercises with no software install, no hardware, and no administration on your end. You pay per learner per course; NDG handles the platform.
Start with these three questions
1. Does your program need to control the lab content?
If you run a program that builds its own lab exercises (custom pod designs, proprietary curriculum, labs using equipment you already own), NETLAB+ is the fit. You can define your own pod topologies, install custom course content, and brand the interface. NDG Online delivers NDG-authored courses; it's not a platform for publishing your own labs.
If your program teaches a standard curriculum (CCNA, Security+, RHCSA, Linux Essentials) and you want that curriculum ready to go, NDG Online is faster to adopt.
2. Do you have infrastructure and someone to run it?
NETLAB+ installs on your own servers. It needs a system administrator who can install the virtualization backend, configure networking, and maintain the appliance. In exchange, you pay once for the license plus annual maintenance, not per learner. For programs with many recurring classes, that math favors NETLAB+.
NDG Online has zero infrastructure requirements. Learners need a browser. Educators manage classes through the NDG Online Portal. If your organization doesn't have the IT capacity to run lab infrastructure, or you want to pilot lab access without a capital commitment, NDG Online is the path.
3. How many learners, how often?
- Small classes, occasional use: NDG Online's per-learner pricing scales cleanly. You pay for exactly what you use.
- Large programs, recurring terms: NETLAB+'s fixed-cost model typically costs less per learner at scale.
- Mixed needs: Many organizations use both. NDG Online for low-volume or ad-hoc access, NETLAB+ for high-volume credit-bearing classes.
Scenarios that favor NETLAB+
- University networking program with several classes per term running Cisco equipment labs
- Community college running its own cybersecurity pod designs and custom exercises
- Corporate training team that needs to own the lab environment for compliance reasons
- Any program that already has NETLAB+-compatible hardware (Cisco switches, virtualization servers) and wants to extend its useful life
Scenarios that favor NDG Online
- Instructor teaching a single Linux or security class who doesn't want to run infrastructure
- Program piloting interactive labs for the first time
- Bookstore or reseller packaging lab access alongside a textbook
- Individual learner preparing for a certification without organizational support
- Programs teaching courses NDG has already built (Linux Essentials, Security+, CySA+, Python for Security, Proxmox VE) that don't need curriculum customization
The "both" case
Plenty of organizations run both platforms. A typical pattern:
- NETLAB+ for the credit-bearing program where enrollment is predictable and the program owns the curriculum.
- NDG Online for workforce-development classes, continuing-education courses, or self-study prep where enrollment varies.
The two platforms use the same underlying content philosophy (labs aligned with certifications and vendor curricula), so learners move between them without retraining.
Next step
If you know which one fits, request a price quote for NETLAB+ or browse the NDG Online course catalog. If you want to walk through the tradeoffs with someone, contact us.