Preparing for the event

Before the event begins:

Test the computers and networks students will be using during the event to make sure they meet the Skytap access requirements.
Send out the student and instructor access links.

Testing access requirements

At least a week before the event, test that each computer that will be used during the training session meets the Skytap minimum access requirements.

Instructions for on-site training

Use one of the student computers to perform the following tests:

Connectivity Checker – This test confirms that the computer meets the minimum requirements for accessing Skytap VMs.

Speedtest – This test confirms that the site meets the minimum bandwidth requirements for hosting a class (1.2 Mbps for each concurrent browser session with a VM). For example, if you have 15 students accessing Skytap VMs from the same physical location at the same time, the minimum recommended amount of bandwidth is 18 Mbps.

Notes

Run the Speedtest from the same physical location and on the same internet connection the students will be using.

Run the Speedtest several times—during off hours and during a period of high network usage. This establishes a baseline for the network capacity and expected performance.

(Recommended) Install the latest version of Google Chrome (download) on the student computers. Chrome provides the best performance for accessing VMs through the Secure Remote Access (SRA) browser client.

Instructions for students using their own computers and networks

Send each student the following email at least a week ahead of the class. The email instructs students to use the Connectivity Checker to test their computer against the Skytap access requirements.

Replace US-West with the correct region for students to test their network performance against.

To prepare for your upcoming training session, please take a few minutes today to:

(Required) Run the Connectivity Checker test from the same computer and network that you plan to use during the training session. This test confirms that your computer and network meet the minimum requirements for accessing your virtual lab environment.

Run this test against the US-West region.

If you fail any of the Connectivity Checker tests, use the information at Connectivity Checker: Resolving test failures.

(Recommended) Install the latest version of Google Chrome (download). Chrome provides the best performance for accessing your virtual lab environment.

If you have any problems or questions related to the requirements, contact Skytap Support as early as possible.

Sending student and instructor access links

If you specified email addresses for participants when you added them to the event, the participants automatically received email invitations to the event. If any event or participant details have changed, you can resend the event invitation email from the event details page.

To resend the event invitation email to a participant

From the Course Manager navigation bar, click Events. The Events page displays.
Click the Upcoming tab. The list of scheduled events displays.
Click the name of the event you want. The details page for the event displays.
From the event details page, click the Participants tab.
Click the drop-down menu next to the participant name in the Instructors or Students section.
Click Resend email.

Sending student and instructor passcodes

Passcodes are an alternative access method when student or instructor emails aren’t available, or if you don’t want to provide lab access links before the event begins.

On the day of the event, you can distribute passcodes that prevent access until the start time of the event. After the event has started, when a participant enters a passcode on the Course Manager home page, the participant’s lab automatically displays.

For more information about distributing lab access information when student or instructor emails aren’t available, see Providing lab access information from the event participant roster.