Slatewise

Python 3.10 or later with the pyserial package, and a console cable. The Get started steps take two commands and need no administrator rights.

Once, from a Command Prompt in the program’s folder:

py slatewise.pyw --set-instructor-password

Use at least 8 characters, and copy the settings file it writes (slatewise_settings.json) beside the program on each student computer. Slatewise reads the password only from that file beside the program. If you cannot change the program’s folder on a computer, set the password in a folder you can change and copy the file in.

That’s on purpose. In a shared lab, the switches and routers need to start clean every morning, so Slatewise blocks any command that would save, erase or change what the device loads at startup. Your instructor can still save from instructor mode.

Yes. The Practice tab has a built-in practice router and switch with a short tutorial for each. They answer the common commands; they aren’t a full copy of a real device.

Plug in the console cable, install its driver (the Cisco USB console driver, or the USB-serial adapter’s driver), then click Refresh.

Switches that support only 802.1Q trunks, such as the 2960, 9200 and 9300, do not have this command. Leave the line out and use switchport mode trunk; in the trunk templates, leave Set encapsulation dot1q unticked. Only switches that also support ISL, such as the 3560 and 3750, need it.

IOS XE 17.11 and later turn the SSH server off when the RSA key is shorter than 2048 bits. Run the SSH template again with an RSA key size of 2048, and answer yes when the device asks to replace the old key. Earlier releases accept a 1024-bit key but log a warning.