Distance learning implementation

• US 6,356,943 B2
• Filed: 12/14/1998
• Issued: 03/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Emc IP Holding Company LLC (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: EMC Corporation (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Hunt, Kevin, Murray, Daniel, Fargnoli, Mark, Nugent, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Geckil, Mehmet B.
• Application Number:
  US09/211,026
• Publication Number:
  US 20010039568A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,184 Days
• Field of Search: 709/204, 709/203, 709/227, 709/250, 709/238, 709/201, 709/220
• US Class Current: 709/220
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/06 with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied

Abstract

A distance learning implementation is effected as a client/server solution with a centralized server facility and a remote client facility. The centralized server facility includes a first network with at least one host processor system and associated operating software. Each of the at least one host processor system(s) is configured in the network with at least one specialized apparatus, such as an Integrated Cache Disk Array, which represents an operating environment for purposes of training remote trainees. A gateway, in the form of a router, provides access to the centralized server facility network, and the at least one host processor system is selectably accessible through a switch in the server facility network. A remote training facility network is configured as a client with a minimal amount of hardware to access the centralized server facility network over a standard digital communications network, such as an integrated services digital network (ISDN) line. The remote training facility network comprises at least one portable computer, such as a laptop PC, interconnected via a hub router to the standard digital communications network. The remote training facility is easily configured and deconfigured by a training specialist.

Claims

1. A method for effecting a distance learning configuration, comprising the steps of:

configuring a training apparatus in a central network, the central network including at least one host processor;

providing at least one training computer configured in a remote network;

establishing a communication channel between the central network and the remote network;

providing a connection mechanism selectively linking the central network to the remote network over the communication channel, the connection mechanism establishing a selected one of the at least one training computers as a client in communication with a selected one of the at least one host processors networked with the training apparatus, wherein a user of the training computer can utilize the training apparatus in conjunction with a selected one of the at least one host processor in a real-time operating environment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one host processor comprises a mainframe computer, and the connection mechanism comprises a 3270 terminal emulator client software operative on the selected one training computer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one host processor is an NT-based server, and the connection mechanism comprises Windows-based terminal emulator client software on the selected one training computer.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one host processor is a UNIX-based server, and the connection mechanism comprises:

Windows-based terminal emulator client software on the selected training computer,

a central server configured for application server operations networked with said central network.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one host processor comprises at least one of a mainframe computer, an NT-based server and a UNIX-based server, and wherein the connection mechanism comprises at least one of a 3270 terminal emulator client operative on at least one of the at least one training computers, a Windows-based terminal emulator client on at least one of the at least one training computers, and a Windows-based terminal emulator client on at least one of the at least one training computers together with a central server configured for application server operations networked with said central network.

6. The method of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the remote network comprises a remote router directing data to a next network point toward the final destination.

7. The method of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the central network comprises a gateway router directing data to a next network point toward the final destination.

8. The method of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the central network comprises a standalone switch.

9. The method of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the communication channel comprises an ISDN line.

10. The method of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the training apparatus comprises an integrated cache disk array.

11. A method of configuring a distance learning implementation, comprising the steps of:

configuring a training apparatus within a central network, the central network having at least one host processor;

configuring at least one training computer within a remote network;

providing a communication channel between the central network and the remote network;

selectively linking the central network to the remote network over the communication channel and establishing a selected one of the at least one training computers as a client in communication with a selected one of the at least one host processors networked with the training apparatus

utilizing the training apparatus in conjunction with a selected one of the at least one host processor in a real-time operating environment.

12. A method for training users on a centrally located resource from a remote site, the centrally located training resource networked to a central network having at least one host processor, and the central network being connected via a communication channel to the remote site, comprising the steps of:

connecting at least one training computer to a remote router;

connecting the router to the communication channel;

completing a real-time connection to the centrally located training resource from the at least one training computer;

instructing a user of the at least one training computer on the operation of the centrally located training resource.