Overview

There is a wide range of tools that people use on the corporate desktop for online training. The most basic tool would be the Web browser, with all the Plug-ins available while the more complex tool will be a proprietary set of programs and CD-ROMS. This chapter will review both sets of tools with the idea of running training on the Linux desktop.

Since there is an awful lot of training material available, we cannot cover it all within a single chapter, we will subset this to more of the training-enabling tools and those programs available for training someone to take the Cisco Certified Network Administrator (CCNA) exam.

Training-enabling tools could be standalone tools such as NetMeeting, media players, and specialized plug-ins for Web browsers. Since most training tools are designed to run on Microsoft Windows, finding those that work under Linux is difficult. Some companies, such as Mindleaders, Inc. (http://www.mindleaders.com), have tools for just about all operating systems available, while other companies target Windows. In this chapter, we will be looking at this extremely small list of computer/Web-based training tools:

• WebEx (http://www.webex.com)

• NetMeeting (http://www.microsoft.com/netmeeting)

• LiveMeeting (http://www.microsoft.com/livemeeting)

• CCNA Complete (http://www.cisco.com)

• Cisco CCNA Network Simulator (http://www.cisco.com)

• Sybex CCNAGold virtual router lab software (http://www.sybex.com)

10.1 How Can I Use WebEx on Linux?

There is no native WebEx client for Linux; however, when using Internet Explorer via CrossOver Office, you can download and successfully use the WebEx client and Player. Access to WebEx is extremely simple. Proceed to the http://www.webex.com Web site...