Michael Robinson - FIU Hardware Lab

	Welcome to the Experimental Hardware Lab PG6 #102 Florida International University
	The purpose of our Hardware Lab is to teach students who are interested in "learning by doing" about the components used in current workstations, laptops, servers and printers of different brands, and how they relate to each other. Server and client Operating Systems such as Windows and Linux, and many applications will be installed, including Virtual Machines containing multiple internal Operating Systems. For LAN Networks and VOIP phones, we teach how to make, fix, and extend network cables (RJ45). For analog telephones and faxes we teach how to make phone cables (RJ11 and RJ14) as well as how to punch them down in wall and rack mounted panels. A server will be created and finally we will setup a network using Routers/Switches/Hubs and connecting network printers. Hardware and software errors will be created in the network so that students can find them and fix them. We use the teaching of this Hardware Lab to cover the topics necessary for the A+ hardware and A+ software certifications. This lab is also used to train our IT Bachelors and Masters students as well as our High School Dual enrollment students and some Middle schools students. During the Spring 2016 semester we began to support workshop meetings from the NSO student organization to learn about Cyber Security. We have been interviewed by The Miami Herald, NBC and CBS. Among the many orgranizations who have visit us as well as Dell Computers, Microsoft Corporation and Dade Country Public School District. We have participated in Major projects such as Tiger Direct Conference at the Miami Marlins Park Stadium and Miami Mini Mart Faire providing volunteers and presenting a kiosk about our Hardware Lab. All graphics in this website are owned by the corresponding manufactures and are used here for educational purposes. Each group of graphics below represent the topics we will cover