How Universities Build Network Labs Without Breaking the Budget

Every semester, students are crammed into physical network labs, racing against the clock to finish complex assignments. Faculty juggle outdated equipment and rigid schedules, trying to keep their courses current with fast-changing industry tech. Meanwhile, administrators are hit with mounting bills for hardware refreshes, software licenses, and constant upkeep, yet still struggle to give students the flexible, 24/7 access they need.

This cycle affects everyone. When students get limited hands-on lab time, their practical skills might not match what the industry expects. When universities can't keep pace with new technologies, their graduates can end up underprepared.

Schools are definitely rethinking how they deliver network training. Options range from free simulation tools to cloud-based training labs for network professionals. Each has its own pros and cons, and knowing them is key to making the right choice.

• The Network Lab Problem Universities Face
• Looking at Alternatives: Free and Low-Cost Lab Options
• The Hidden Problems with DIY Network Labs
• The Evolution: Cloud-Hosted Network Labs (The Managed Solution)
• Academic Use Cases & Applications
• What to Look for in a Network Lab Solution
• Academic ROI & Budget Benefits
• Getting Started in Academia
• Rethinking Network Education Starts Here

The Network Lab Problem Universities Face

Higher education is caught between shrinking budgets and rising expectations from students and the industry. Networking and IT programs have the tough job of keeping students up-to-date with rapidly evolving technologies. In this situation, the old-school physical lab model has become more of a burden than a help.

• Strained Budgets: Hardware labs need expensive upgrades, ongoing licenses, and dedicated staff for maintenance. Many schools just can't refresh gear fast enough to keep up.
• Physical Limits: Physical labs take up valuable campus space. Even if they're well-equipped, they can't handle all students, especially those juggling jobs, family, or long commutes.
• Student Accessibility Issues: Remote and hybrid learning are the norm now. Today's students expect flexibility, the ability to learn on their own schedule, from anywhere. A lab that closes at 9 p.m. just doesn't cut it anymore.

The Real Cost of Physical Network Labs

A typical university network lab for, say, 20-30 students usually involves:

• An initial investment of $50,000-$100,000+ for routers, switches, firewalls.
• The annual upkeep, about 15-20% of that initial hardware cost for repairs, replacements, and support.
• Needs 500-1,000 square feet of campus real estate.
• 10-20 hours per week of IT staff time for setup, maintenance, and student help.
• Ongoing, significant operational costs.

Even with all that investment, students often only get access for maybe 40-50 hours a week, usually during normal business hours when many have other commitments.

The result? A growing gap between what students should be learning and what a campus can realistically provide with physical gear.

Looking at Alternatives: Free and Low-Cost Lab Options

Universities facing budget crunches have looked at several alternatives. Knowing their limitations is key:

Cisco Packet Tracer, Cisco's free simulation tool is a common starting point. It’s great for intro courses, but students quickly hit its limits when prepping for professional certs or learning advanced protocols like BGP. For a comprehensive comparison of network simulators for certification preparation, see our guide on choosing the right network simulator for Cisco CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE exam prep.

GNS3, the open-source emulator can run actual Cisco IOS images and supports gear from other vendors. While GNS3's GUI is powerful, someone has to manage the complex underlying infrastructure. Many IT departments spend 10-15 hours per week just keeping DIY GNS3 setups running for students. For universities considering GNS3, the platform's graphical interface offers powerful features, but someone needs to manage the underlying infrastructure.

EVE-NG builds on multi-vendor emulation with a modern, web-based interface and supports a wider range of network devices. It's popular for pro network training but the free Community edition has real limits on concurrent users and features. Learn more about how EVE-NG revolutionizes network simulation in educational settings. Community edition has limitations on concurrent users (see our detailed EVE-NG Community vs Professional comparison).

CML 2.0 is Cisco's official commercial emulator, offering a super accurate representation of modern Cisco networking environments. Institutions choosing between emulation platforms should review our comprehensive EVE-NG vs CML comparison to understand the tradeoffs.

Each of these tools has its place, but they all share one big challenge: someone has to host, manage, and support them. Here’s a quick comparison to help you out:

The Hidden Problems with DIY Network Labs

Even though free and open-source tools make network emulation seem accessible, universities often find out the hard way about the significant implementation challenges.

Infrastructure & Hosting Costs: "Free" software still needs a powerful, expensive place to run. Think servers, complex network setup (VLANs, routing, security), tons of storage for images and projects, and constant maintenance for hardware and software updates. For detailed cost analysis of physical lab setups, see our guide on the cheapest way to setup a home CCNA lab.

Faculty & IT Staff Time: The biggest hidden cost isn't money, it's the time your faculty and IT staff have to spend. Initial setup can take 40-80 hours. Constant student troubleshooting ("Why can't I connect?"), platform updates, and performance tuning when many students are active eats up significant time. IT departments at mid-sized universities report spending 10-20 hours per week just managing their DIY network labs.

Student Experience Issues: These technical hurdles can get in the way of learning. Inconsistent access, high tech requirements just to start learning, and limited support hours can frustrate and discourage students.

Scalability Limits: DIY solutions often hit a hard limit as programs grow. Performance tanks with more students, resource allocation becomes a headache, and physical hardware puts a hard cap on how much your program can expand.

These challenges show why "free" software often isn't truly free when you factor in the hidden costs of infrastructure, time, and support.

The Evolution: Cloud-Hosted Network Labs (The Managed Solution)

When a DIY infrastructure just becomes too much, universities are increasingly looking at managed cloud network lab solutions like CloudMyLab.

Cloud-based managed lab platforms solve the problems with physical labs and self-hosted virtual ones. Instead of students fighting for limited time in a physical space or IT staff managing complex infrastructure, students simply log in from anywhere, anytime. Your institution shifts to a managed service where the provider handles the infrastructure, software updates, and expert support.

Key Benefits of Cloud Network Labs for Universities

With CloudMyLab, your institution gets:

• 24/7 Access, Anywhere: Students aren't tied to lab hours anymore. They can log in from home or campus, on their own schedule, allowing for deeper learning and better time management.
• Seamless Remote & Hybrid Integration: Cloud labs fit perfectly with modern online and hybrid learning models. They extend the same quality of instruction to every student, no matter where they are.
• Curriculum Agility – Faculty can easily update labs to cover the latest industry standards without waiting for hardware upgrades. Want to add network automation best practices training to your curriculum? Understanding why network automation is critical in IT helps educators design curriculum that aligns with industry needs. You can deploy it instantly.
• Clear, Predictable Budgets: Subscription-based pricing replaces unpredictable hardware costs and maintenance bills. This makes it easier to secure and manage funding for your labs.

Multi-Platform Flexibility

Managed lab providers like CloudMyLab support multiple industry-standard emulation platforms (including GNS3, EVE-NG, and Cisco Modeling Labs) all within the same subscription. This flexibility is crucial for universities because it supports diverse curricula, caters to different faculty preferences, and future-proofs your investment.

Student Control & Self-Service

Modern managed lab platforms give students control panels. They can power their virtual machines on/off, check server health, access device consoles through their browser, and save/restore lab states. This self-service approach cuts down on IT support needs and lets students work at their own pace.

Enterprise-Grade Reliability

Cloud labs from providers like CloudMyLab usually come with a 99.9% uptime SLA, 24/7 technical support, dedicated account managers, and strong security and compliance measures. This means more practice time for students and fewer infrastructure headaches for your IT department.

Academic Use Cases & Applications

Cloud labs open up new possibilities across your university:

• Curriculum Integration – Networking, computer science, and IT programs can embed hands-on labs directly into courses, making practical exercises as routine as lectures.
• Certification Training – Help students prepare for industry credentials like industry credentials like CCNA, CCNP, or CCIE, with labs configured to match exam specs.
• Advanced Technology Training – Offer labs for modern enterprise tech like Cisco ACI (Application Centric Infrastructure), SD-WAN, and Software-Defined Access, things that often require expensive hardware, but are readily available in a cloud lab.
• Research and Innovation – Grad students and faculty can use scalable, on-demand labs for advanced projects, from thesis research to testing new protocols.
• Industry Partnerships – Offer labs for corporate training or continuing education programs, creating new revenue streams and strengthening industry ties. Institutions can also leverage cloud labs for enterprise network testing scenarios, creating bridges between academic programs and industry needs.

What to Look for in a Network Lab Solution

When evaluating network lab options, your university should consider these key points:

Platform Support & Flexibility

Does it support multi-vendor emulation? Can it handle modern tech like SD-WAN and ACI? Does it work with your curriculum? What devices can be simulated? The more flexibility, the better for your teaching goals.

A platform limited to Cisco-only devices restricts students' exposure to the multi-vendor reality of enterprise networks. Students should also gain exposure to different types of network topologies and modern network architectures that reflect current industry practices.

Teaching network configuration management best practices prepares students for real-world operational workflows they'll encounter in enterprise environments.

Student Management Features

Look for features like user management, self-service options for students, and multiple ways to connect securely.

Scalability & Performance

How many students can use it at once? What are the performance guarantees (SLAs)? Can it scale up if your program grows?

Support & Training

What kind of help is available for faculty and students? Is there good documentation? What are the support hours?

Total Cost of Ownership

Consider everything: upfront costs vs. ongoing subscriptions, hidden costs like IT staff time, and how easily you can adapt to new needs.

Academic ROI & Budget Benefits

One of the strongest cases for cloud labs lies in the numbers. When institutions compare the total cost of ownership of physical labs, hardware, space, staff, maintenance, versus cloud-based subscriptions, the savings are substantial. But the return on investment goes beyond cost.

• Cost Comparison – Cloud labs reduce capital expenditures and replace them with manageable, predictable operating expenses.
• Grant Opportunities – Many modernization grants and education technology funds favor cloud-based solutions, giving schools more avenues for financial support.
• Improved Student Outcomes – Greater access means more practice, leading to higher certification pass rates and better classroom performance.
• Alumni Success – By aligning education with current industry tools, schools produce graduates who are more employable and job-ready.

For administrators, these benefits create a compelling case not just for affordability, but for long-term institutional success.

What's the ROI of virtual vs physical network labs?

(Note: Costs vary based on your institution's size and needs.)

A better ROI also comes from students having more practice time, leading to higher certification pass rates and better job readiness.

Getting Started in Academia

Your university doesn't need to overhaul everything overnight. CloudMyLab offers structured, low-risk ways to start using cloud labs:

• Pilot Semester Programs: We offer risk-free semester-long trials so you can test our cloud labs in a real classroom setting. You get concrete data on student engagement and learning outcomes.
• Full Faculty Support: CloudMyLab provides dedicated training and help with curriculum development, so your instructors can adopt our labs confidently.
• Focus on Student Success: From the first day of a pilot, you can track student engagement, learning, and progress, showing clear value.
• Flexible Education Pricing: We have special discounts for education and no long-term contracts. This lets your institution start small and grow as needed.

This phased, data-driven approach makes transitioning to cloud labs smooth and demonstrably successful.

Rethinking Network Education Starts Here

What colleges need from their network labs has changed. Students need flexibility, faculty need tools that keep up with the industry, and administrators need cost-effective, scalable solutions. Traditional physical labs just can't meet all these demands anymore.

The future of network education is flexible, accessible, and scalable. For institutions looking for a complete solution that cuts out infrastructure headaches while offering enterprise-grade reliability and support, managed cloud network labs from CloudMyLab are the way to go.

Start by looking at your current challenges, exploring your options, and maybe running a pilot program to get real data before you make a final decision.

Ready to transform your approach to network education? Start a Pilot Program with CloudMyLab and see how our cloud labs can make a real difference for your institution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest way to build a network lab for students?

The "cheapest" option depends on your specific needs and existing resources. For introductory courses, Cisco Packet Tracer is completely free and requires zero infrastructure investment. For more advanced learning, GNS3 is a free, open-source tool, but it still requires significant investment in hosting infrastructure (servers) and IT staff time to manage. The truly "cheapest" solution is the one that delivers your required learning outcomes with the lowest total cost of ownership, which includes hidden costs like your IT staff's valuable time.

Can students practice CCNA without physical equipment?

Yes, absolutely. Modern emulation tools provide highly realistic environments for CCNA preparation. Cisco Packet Tracer is specifically designed for CCNA students. More advanced tools like GNS3, EVE-NG, and Cisco Modeling Labs (CML 2.0) run actual Cisco IOS images, providing an even more realistic experience. In fact, the CCNA exam itself is now a 100% computer-based simulation, no physical equipment is involved.

What's better for teaching: GNS3 or EVE-NG?

Both platforms are excellent, and the "better" choice depends on your specific needs.

Choose GNS3 if you want the largest community and most extensive documentation, or if students will be running labs on their own local devices. Choose EVE-NG if you want the broadest multi-vendor support, prefer web-based access (so students only need a browser), or are teaching advanced enterprise technologies. EVE-NG's web-based access often works better for remote students and BYOD scenarios. Or, you can skip the decision entirely, as managed cloud lab providers like CloudMyLab often support both platforms.

How much does a university network lab cost?

Cost varies dramatically based on approach and scale. Here's a breakdown for a typical program serving 100 students:

Physical lab (traditional approach):

• Initial investment: $50,000-$100,000 (hardware, cabling, installation)
• Annual costs: $20,000-$35,000 (maintenance, support contracts, power, staffing)
• 3-year TCO: $150,000-$200,000

DIY cloud lab (self-hosted):

• Initial investment: $10,000-$20,000 (servers, software, setup)
• Annual costs: $15,000-$25,000 (hosting, maintenance, IT staffing)
• 3-year TCO: $70,000-$100,000

Managed cloud lab:

• Initial investment: $2,000-$5,000 (pilot, training, setup)
• Annual costs: $12,000-$18,000 (subscription, support)
• 3-year TCO: $40,000-$60,000

Hidden cost factors to consider:

• IT staff time (often overlooked but significant)
• Space and utilities for physical labs
• Opportunity cost of limited access hours
• Scalability constraints

Contact providers for specific quotes based on your program size, required platforms, and support needs. Many offer education-specific pricing and pilot programs.

How do cloud network labs work for remote students?

Cloud network labs are specifically designed to support remote access. Students can typically access their labs via a web browser, a VPN connection, or a remote desktop client. They can log in from any device (laptop, home computer), build topologies, configure devices, and troubleshoot exactly as they would in a physical lab. All the processing happens in the cloud, so students do not need powerful computers. This is a key advantage for remote students and online degree programs.

What are the system requirements for accessing CloudMyLab?

CloudMyLab is designed to be accessible from virtually any modern device. The minimum requirements are a stable internet connection (5-10 Mbps recommended) and a modern web browser (like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge). Since all the heavy processing happens in our cloud, your students do not need powerful computers. A basic laptop from the past 3-4 years will work just fine.

Are cloud labs suitable for certification training?

Absolutely. Students can prepare for CCNA, CCNP, CCIE, and other industry certifications using labs that are tailored to the official curricula. Cloud labs provide environments that can match the certification exam specifications, offer realistic practice scenarios covering all exam topics, and give students the ability to repeat labs until they achieve mastery.

What's the easiest way for schools to start with CloudMyLab?

The easiest way is to start with a semester-long pilot program in a single course or department. This low-risk approach allows you to gather concrete evidence and data for your decision-making without requiring a large upfront commitment. Our team will provide support and track success metrics throughout the pilot period to ensure you have everything you need to make an informed decision.