Teaching Computer Security using Xen in a Virtual Environment

Abstract

This paper presents a new teaching method by introducing Xen into a computer security course. To provide students with hands-on exercises in computer security course, we have designed a laboratory environment for computer security education. It is based on Xen and Linux, all of which are free. Xen provides a secure environment within which students may install, configure, and experiment with the design and test of the system security. Based on this environment, we have developed several labs, covering a wide range of security principles.