virtual machines & simulations to accelerate student … student learning presented by: sarah...
TRANSCRIPT
Virtual Machines & Simulations to
Accelerate Student LearningPresented by:
Sarah Stubblefield & Tom WylieNorthwest State CC, Archbold, OH
What this session will cover:•What is a Virtual Machine (VM)?•What is the advantage of students using VMs?•How VMs are used for PLC & Ind. Computing courses •Results of using VMs in the PLC courses•How the NSCC Virtual Machine system works•How to use PLC processor emulators• Implementing a Virtual PLC Simulator
What is a Virtual Machine?•A VM is a Computer Emulator•A physical server can run virtualization software to create multiple VMs.
•VMs can be created on a laptop computer (V‐box)• Each VM is allocated so much RAM, HD and processor speed, to function as a computer.
• The hypervisor manages this process.•At NSCC, there are five physical servers for the VMs
Why do we Issue VMs to Students?
•Give students 24/7 access to software licensed to Northwest State
•Control revisions of software the students use.• They can perform functions on their VMs that they cannot on college computers, due to lock down.
•A great environment for interactive simulation.• Issue VMs with multiple operating systems
How do the students get their VMs?• IT issues 1 week prior to the start of classes (every 8 weeks) based on students being enrolled.
• Each student is issued a VM that they can customize to their liking (folders of the desktop, etc.)
• Students login to VM to make sure their browser is compatible with the system (PC and MAC, both work)
• Students bring in their home computer if they have problems• Students also have 30GB Cloud storage through Google
Factory Talk Activation Server
Factory Talk Activation ServerStudent 1
Computer at Home
30 Rockwell Classroom Toolkit Activations20 Rockwell Classroom Toolkit Activations
PLC/Industrial Computing Lab*16 desktop computer with RS*Docking for 4 laptops*10 SLC‐500 Hdw. Simulators*8 CompactLogix Hdw. Simulators*8 ControlLogix Hdw. Simulators
NSCCData
SecurityFirewall
THEInternet
Student 1WiFi network
Student 1Virtual Machine
PHYSICAL
VIRTUAL
Student enter through theConnect.northweststate.edu
Portal
Results of using VMs in the PLC courses?• More student access (no need to drive to campus) to use the PLC software
• Students are very happy that they can learn at their own pace, and possibly finish early.
• Have added 20% more content to our Programmable Controller I course, with 100% skills mastery in half the time (8 weeks versus 16 weeks)
• Students are still required to master 8 Hands‐On Assessments
RSLinx
RSLogix5000
RSLogix500
Emulate 500
Emulate 5000
RSLinx
RSLogix5000
RSLogix500
Emulate 500
Emulate 5000
RSLinx
RSLogix5000
RSLogix500
Emulate 500
Emulate 5000
RSLinx
RSLogix5000
RSLogix500
Emulate 500
Emulate 5000
VM‐1 VM‐2 VM‐3 VM‐4
RSLinx
RSLogix5000
RSLogix500
Emulate 500
Emulate 5000
VM‐Master
Virtual Simulator Some Information about the Simulation Engine
*The Engine was built in C# (C‐Sharp) Programming Language
*DEMO mode to show students how a program will work.
*RUN mode to connect to the actual PLC program in the Emulator Application
*A different user interface can be configured
*The Engine uses OPC technology to communicate with RSLinx
*The Engine will become an Open Source Tool
*The Engine will be available at the DOL repository (Skillscommons)
To open up the lab exercise to view the instructionand the program, click on the Instructions button
Virtual Simulator
How the Virtual PLC Simulator works in RUN model
PLC ProcessorEmulator
Runs PLC Program
The Virtual PLCSimulator Engine(written in C#)
Data CommunicationWith OPC Technology
The Emulate500Driver in RSLinx