Internet access to real equipment at computer architecture laboratories using the Java/CORBA paradigm

Laboratory courses in Engineering and Computer Science are not always easy to implement using Internet-based distance education. Simulation has its li mits, when compared to working with the real thing (like a computer board). The system we present in this paper provides remote access to real equipme nt used in a Computer Architecture laboratory. It uses CORBA technology to manage real equipment as just another set of CORBA objects whose operations can be invoked remotely by students. Apart from accessibility advantages f or students, there are important benefits for academic institutions. Our sy stem allows different configurations that provide different levels of equip ment availability, using fewer resources than a conventional laboratory, an d reducing costs. This paper describes our system and its functional archit ecture, and analyzes economic savings for academic institutions, (C) 2001 E lsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.