IT training and cloud work without obstacles
We write about how to organise hands-on IT training with ease, protect company resources and give teams a safe place to learn, test and build prototypes.
- IT training on company computers: how do you balance security and hands-on practice? A company laptop can serve purely as a secure connection, while the whole exercise runs on a remote VM. We discuss network requirements, data, accounts, the browser and environment sign-off.
- A cloud training environment: IT workshops with nothing to install A cloud training environment lets you start the class without any local installation. We cover the brief, the base image, access, materials, the acceptance test, reset and shutting down the VMs.
- A virtual lab for companies: fewer problems before IT training A virtual lab brings together the needs of the instructor, the organiser and the IT department. We show how to divide responsibility for the base image, security, access, support and data.
- A sandbox VM for developers: a safe place for tests and proofs of concept A sandbox VM lets you try out a framework, a database or a proof of concept away from your local computer. We show how to define a hypothesis, protect secrets, measure the result and close the test.
- How do you choose a training environment for an IT team? Choosing a training environment starts with the syllabus, access and security boundaries. We set out criteria for repeatability, isolation, support, reset and the cost of the whole event.
- Docker training for companies: why do ready-made VMs mean a faster start? A Docker workshop should begin with containers, not with installing the engine. We discuss Engine and Compose versions, images, registries, resources, networks, volumes and workstation reset.
- Remote IT training: an identical workstation for every participant A remote workshop easily loses momentum to differing operating systems and laptop restrictions. We explain how to prepare a shared VM image, an access test, support and a plan for slower connections.
- A disposable lab for technical recruitment and workshops A technical task should assess skills, not the configuration of the candidate's computer. We show how to prepare comparable workstations, assessment criteria, data and rules for deleting results.
- Linux training for teams on ready-made VMs Linux training needs a consistent distribution, the right permissions and room for safe system changes. We discuss accounts, sudo, systemd, networking, logs and VM reset.
- Virtual machines for the duration of an IT workshop Temporary VMs can run before the workshop, during the sessions and for a short while afterwards. We explain how to plan sign-off, access, spare capacity, exporting results and shutting the environment down.
- Safe cybersecurity exercises in the cloud A cybersecurity lab has to combine realism with clear boundaries. We discuss authorisation, topology, traffic control, synthetic data, logs and safe reset.
- A shared drive in IT training A shared drive keeps materials in order if it separates starter files from participants' results. We show a simple structure, permissions, versioning and rules for deleting data.
- The instructor panel in a training environment The instructor panel helps you spot workstation problems and give help without stopping the whole group. We explain what information is needed and how to protect participants' privacy.
- Python training on a ready-made environment A shared Python version is only the beginning. We show how to prepare dependencies, native libraries, Jupyter or an IDE, input data and tests of the material before the training.
- A database for IT training with nothing to install Hands-on SQL training needs a specific engine version, credible data and a separate space for each participant. We discuss roles, reset, query plans and result criteria.
- Git training for teams in a shared lab Hands-on Git training needs a shared repository, controlled conflicts and room for safe mistakes. We show how to prepare roles, change history, reset and exercise criteria.
- Testing applications in an isolated environment A repeatable test needs a specific application version, known data and a known starting state. We explain how to use an isolated VM for bug analysis, demonstrations and safe reset.
- A virtual desktop in the browser for IT training A remote desktop in the browser reduces the number of installations on the participant's side. We discuss network requirements, the access test, session security and the situations where an SSH terminal is the better choice.
- IT onboarding in a cloud environment A starter environment lets a new team member carry out real tasks without immediate access to production. We show how to plan permissions, materials, reset and the move to the actual systems.
- When does a sandbox VM make sense for an IT team? A sandbox VM helps you quickly check a technology or a hypothesis without rebuilding your local environment. We explain when this model makes sense, how to limit the risk and what to keep once the test is over.