Virtual Machines & Simulations to Accelerate Student Learning

Transcription

1 Virtual Machines & Simulations to Accelerate Student Learning Presented by: Sarah Stubblefield & Tom Wylie Northwest State CC, Archbold, OH

2 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

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5 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

6 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

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8 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

9 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 Factory Talk Activation Server 20 Rockwell Classroom Toolkit Activations 30 Rockwell Classroom Toolkit Activations Factory Talk Activation Server NSCC Data Security Firewall THE Internet PHYSICAL VIRTUAL Student 1 Computer at Home Student 1 Virtual Machine Student enter through the Connect.northweststate.edu Portal Student 1 WiFi network

10 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

11 PLC Processor Emulator Runs PLC Program RSLinx RSLinx RSLogix500

12 RSLogix Emulate 5000 RSLogix5000 Programming Software RSLinx

13 VM Master RSLogix500 RSLogix5000 RSLinx Emulate 500 Emulate 5000 VM 1 VM 2 VM 3 VM 4 RSLogix500 RSLogix500 RSLogix500 RSLogix500 RSLogix5000 RSLogix5000 RSLogix5000 RSLogix5000 RSLinx RSLinx RSLinx RSLinx Emulate 500 Emulate 500 Emulate 500 Emulate 500 Emulate 5000 Emulate 5000 Emulate 5000 Emulate 5000

14 Hardware Simulator Virtual Simulator

15 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)

16 To open up the lab exercise to view the instruction and the program, click on the Instructions button

17 RSLinx Virtual Simulator RSLogix500 RSLogix Emulate500

18 Virtual Simulator How the Virtual PLC Simulator works in RUN model The Emulate500 Driver in RSLinx PLC Processor Emulator Runs PLC Program The Virtual PLC Simulator Engine (written in C#) Data Communication With OPC Technology

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22 The End of the Presentation