Network and Cloud Infrastructure Specialization in Computer Science

Hands-on experience in the computer network lab

OST has a computer network laboratory equipped with modern network hardware in Rapperswil. In this laboratory, you will have the opportunity to apply the theory you have learned in lectures and exercises to physical devices. You will consolidate your knowledge in the field of network technology by completing set tasks and conducting individual experiments.

The lab has ten workstations, each with two students working together. Each workstation is equipped with four Cisco Catalyst 9300 switches and two Cisco ISR 1111 routers. In addition, a WAN emulator is installed on each workstation. This emulator is used to simulate network transmission errors, varying latencies, and other parameters that affect data transmission in a network. Each lab is supervised by two experts in the field of network technology, and you are welcome to ask questions at any time.

The lab was expanded in 2022 with a software platform that allows full access to the lab without being physically present in Rapperswil. This access is currently used by students in St. Gallen to participate in the practical courses.

In addition to the physical computer networking lab, the OST has its own software platform, the Lab Topology Builder (LTB), which provides students with virtual network environments for practice purposes. This platform is used primarily in advanced computer networking modules to enable hands-on labs with larger topologies and more complex scenarios than would be possible in the hardware environment.