News for and about the Internet2 community

[Patty Giorgio <>]

Merit Network Makes IT Classes Available to National Educational Community 

Classes for professionals cover security topics, SELinux and the Cloud 


Ann Arbor, Mich. -- Merit Network Inc. announced today that it will host a 
number of classes this winter and spring that are open to members of the 
national educational community. Presented using either H.323 video or desktop 
classroom interface, these classes offer access to training on fundamental 
skills and important current topics.

* February 7-8: "Hands-on Linux Security: Practical Tools and Methods" is an 
intensive, hands-on learning experience in how to assess and secure Linux 
platform infrastructures using current open-source tools. Taught in an Ann 
Arbor classroom by Dr. Charles Antonelli of the University of Michigan, the 
class is also available to a limited number of locations via H.323 video. 
Establishing a video classroom requires only that an organization have three 
or more participants and videoconferencing equipment.

* March 8 and 15: "Hands-on SELinux: A Practical Introduction" covers the 
essentials of this important technology that adds mandatory access controls 
to the Linux kernel. The course is taught in two, three-hour evening (EST) 
sessions via Merit WebConnect, a desktop web conferencing system. Students 
can attend from any location with an Internet connection, engaging in 
lecture, discussion and directed lab sessions online.

* April 18-19: "Hands-on Network Security: Practical Tools and Methods" 
focuses on key techniques and tools for protecting networks from attack. This 
course is also available in person in Ann Arbor or via H.323 video to a 
limited number of locations with three or more participants.

* May 7-11: "Cloud Computing Essentials" is an online course on the 
fundamental concepts of cloud computing and the design and deployment of 
cloud computing platforms. This course will discuss the evolution of the 
cloud and its ability to increase processing power and bandwidth 
capabilities. Attendees will learn about the products and services offered 
commercially, along with the pros and cons of implementing a cloud strategy. 
The course may be taken from any location with an Internet connection.

Elwood Downing, Vice President of Member Relations, Services and 
Communication at Merit, is pleased that Merit is able to offer these 
development opportunities for IT professionals nationwide. "These are 
excellent classes for enhancing the skills of technologists in education. 
Interactive video technology allows us to bring instruction to any location, 
and we hope our colleagues across the U.S. will choose to attend."

The three security-focused classes are created and instructed by Dr. Charles 
J. Antonelli, High Performance Computing Consultant at the University of 
Michigan. The classes have their genesis in courses he developed to enhance 
the security skills of technologists at U-M. He has taught each class a 
number of times for Merit Member audiences, continuously updating the 
curriculum to keep pace with contemporary threats and countermeasures.

"Charles Antonelli's courses have been very beneficial for Merit's Member 
organizations in several previous presentations," notes Downing. "We are 
pleased to open the opportunity to others from the educational community and 
to eliminate distance as a factor in limiting attendance."

The cloud computing class on May 7-11 focuses on the key technologies that 
underlie cloud-based solutions. It will serve as an excellent introduction 
for technologists and IT managers investigating whether or not to use cloud 
services.

The courses offer special pricing for educational institutions or for 
multiple registrants from single organizations. Registration and more 
information for all courses are available via the schedule at: 

   http://www.merit.edu/learning

About Merit Network 

Merit Network Inc., a nonprofit corporation owned and governed by Michigan's 
public universities, owns and operates America's longest-running regional 
research and education network. In 1966, Michigan's public universities 
created Merit as a shared resource to help meet their common need for 
networking assistance. Since its formation, Merit Network has remained on the 
forefront of research and education networking expertise and services. Merit 
provides high-performance networking solutions to public universities, 
colleges, K-12 organizations, libraries, state government, healthcare, and 
other non-profit organizations. Merit has been Michigan's Internet2 Network 
connector since 1999. 

Contact: 
Andy Rosenzweig 
Manager, Professional Learning 
Merit Network 
734-527-5753 

 
http://www.merit.edu/learning