WEB ENABLED REMOTE LABORATORY (R-LAB) FRAMEWORK

摘要

In this paper we describe a web enabled remote lab (R-Lab) framework that facilitates remote access to a physical laboratory. This framework enables us to bridge time, space, work force and safety constraints imposed by real laboratory experiments. We have implemented and deployed the R-Lab framework in a Computer Networks lab that includes networking equipment such as routers, switches, wireless access points, etc. The R-Lab framework has the following unique features: 1) It enables real-time collaboration between the students in each group and between the students and the lab instructor. Each member can be located in a different geographical location. 2) The R-Lab architecture can be extended to support other remote laboratories, either in engineering or science fields, where the lab equipment can be accessed and controlled remotely via a programmable interface.