Teach Linux, servers and networks with nothing to install
Every student gets a Linux terminal, a lab where they run their own servers, databases and websites, and a desktop that ties the two together, all in a browser tab on whatever computer they have. No lab to image, no virtual machines, no cloud account, no bill, and nothing a student types can break a real machine. You see inside all of it, and a free class holds up to 50 students.
Three things behind the login
Computer science and ITA Plasma-style desktop that shares its files with the terminal, plus retro machines from a teletype to Windows XP. Free for classes.
See everything it does
Computer science and ITMore than 170 commands, bash scripts, vim, git, SSH to their own servers, CTF challenges and CCST practice. Free for classes.
Try it free, no account
Computer science and ITServers, websites, databases, load balancers, DNS and a class network, in a browser tab. Free for classes.
See everything it doesCan I teach my course on this?
Here is where each topic of a typical IT, networking, cybersecurity or intro computer science course lives.
| Topic | Where |
|---|---|
| The Linux command lineFiles, paths, pipes, grep and sed, man pages | Linux Terminal |
| Scripting and automationBash scripts with loops and functions, cron | Linux Terminal |
| ProgrammingPython, JavaScript, C and C++, PHP, Ruby, Lua and more, from the prompt | Linux Terminal |
| Version controlgit: commits, branches, merges and stashes | Linux Terminal |
| Users, groups and permissionschmod, chown, useradd, sudo and least privilege | System Design Lab |
| Servers and servicesapt and dnf, systemctl, logs, firewalls and HTTPS | System Design Lab |
| Web developmentSites at a real address, server code in JavaScript, SQL databases | System Design Lab |
| NetworkingIP addresses, DHCP, subnets, gateways, ping and traceroute on a class network | System Design Lab |
| DNSZones, records, TTLs and a class DNS tree to trace | System Design Lab |
| Cloud and scalingLoad tests, caching, load balancers, regions, snapshots | System Design Lab |
| CybersecurityAn incident investigation, CTF challenges, 410 CCST Cybersecurity questions | Linux Terminal |
| Operating systemsProcesses, window managers, files seen two ways, computing history | Linux Desktop |
| Computer hardwareBuild and benchmark a PC part by part | PC Workshop |
Running it with a class
Practice for a certification
The terminal's quiz command asks from 410 practice questions for Cisco's CCST Cybersecurity, and the same bank runs as timed practice exams under Exam Prep. Operation Lighthouse walks a student through investigating a real-shaped breach, and the capture-the-flag challenges turn log reading and file forensics into a competition. Students can write challenges for each other, reviewed before they go live.
More for tech classes, no account needed
These run in a browser tab with nothing to sign up for, so they work for a first lesson before accounts exist.
Want the lessons written for you?
The platform's year-long courses are taught on these same tools: Information Technology 1 and 2, Computer Science 1 and Advanced Computer Science. Everything on this page works without them.
Common questions
Do I need to install anything, or set up a lab?
No. Everything runs in a browser tab on any computer or Chromebook. There are no virtual machines, no images to maintain and no cloud bills. Each student has their own terminal, files and servers in their account.
Is it free for a class?
Yes. A free teacher account holds a class of up to 50 students, and the terminal, System Design Lab and desktop all come with it. You add students yourself with a username and password, or give them a join code, and they need no email address.
Is it real Linux?
It is a simulation built to behave like Linux: the same commands, options and error messages, and servers that respond to load the way real ones do. Because nothing is a real machine, nothing a student does can break one, and nothing costs money.
Can I see what my students are doing?
Yes. You can inspect any student's servers, sites, databases and files read-only, students send questions to your help queue from the terminal, and files you put in the shared folder reach the whole class at once.
Does it line up with a certification?
The terminal has 410 practice questions for Cisco's CCST Cybersecurity, with a guided investigation and capture-the-flag challenges. The rest covers what introductory Linux, networking and cloud courses expect, though none of it is an official preparation product for an exam.
Are there lessons I can use?
System Design Lab has a step-by-step guide and eleven challenges it checks automatically, and every feature has a page like this one with an activity and questions to ask. If you want a full course taught on the platform, the year-long Information Technology and Computer Science courses are built on these tools.
Start with a free class
Set up a class, add your students, and open the terminal together on day one.