What are Fresh-Start, Trainer, Participant, and Standalone Machines?
DaDesktop is an advanced training platform that provides accessible cloud machines for training courses and admin tools to easily manage the Desktop machines on each course.
To achieve this, DaDesktop employs a number of similar yet distinct Desktop machine types to facilitate such courses.
Below are descriptions of the different machine types used.
Fresh-Start Machine
A 'Fresh-Start' is the DaDesktop machine on which the Trainer creates and develops their course material. Once ready, the Fresh-Start machine is copied to all Participants' desktops just before the course they are undertaking. A Fresh-Start can be thought of as a 'Golden Image' that can be reverted to if any issues arise on either the Trainer's or Participants' machines.
Trainer Machine
A 'Trainer' machine is utilised by the Trainer to present the course material to the Participants during the course. The state of this machine will differ from the Fresh-Start, as software applications and libraries related to the course subject are typically installed, configured, and executed by the Trainer(s) as part of the course.
If there is more than one Trainer leading a course, there will be multiple Trainer machines.
Participant Machine
A 'Participant' machine is used by each participant during the course, allowing them to install, configure, and perform exercises under the supervision of the trainer.
Fresh-Start, Trainer, and Participant machines are usually automatically deleted shortly after the course concludes. Hence, there is another type of machine, not linked to a course, that can be retained for as long as required, called a 'Standalone'.
Standalone Machine
A 'Standalone' machine is one that is not necessarily used during a course itself. It 'stands alone' as a separate machine that can be used before or after the course is finished, or simply used independently without reference to a course. The Standalone is especially flexible in this regard.
Typical reasons for creating Standalone desktops may be:
- Preparing training course material that can be reused repeatedly outside of a course itself, or retained for use when needed.
- When you need a flexible machine, perhaps with a different operating system (Linux, Windows), to test out ideas in a safe environment.