Durham, NC - Welcome to the computer lab that never closes.

Duke students and faculty now can use the Internet to remotely access high-end computers and specialized software -- and chat online with other lab users -- as part of an expanded "virtual computing lab" (VCL) developed by the Office of Information Technology.

Duke is among a growing number of institutions experimenting with "virtual" systems that enable students to use the expensive software that many courses require -- such as 3-D modeling tools and advanced statistical programs -- over the network, logging in from anywhere on their own laptops.

Duke's virtual lab started last fall as a pilot with the Nicholas School of the Environment, providing "anytime, anywhere" access to expensive, license-restricted software packages including ArcGIS, NVivo and Stats for 250 students in two master's programs.

The virtual lab drew 125 to 200 users per week, and other departments across campus expressed interest in participating, said OIT project manager Laurie Harris. "It's a great resource," said Marianna Bradley, a master's degree student in coastal environmental management who used the lab to do weekly GIS assignments. "I didn't have to fight for computer lab space at school, and it was so much nicer to sit on my couch and do GIS than sitting in a lab."

The virtual lab will be open to all Duke users this month. The system will allow as many as 96 concurrent users and will include new software such as Matlab, which is used for computations and visualizations in mathematics, engineering and science.

In addition, the Web interface will include a chat room feature where users can chat live with others in the virtual lab.

"Up until now, what's been missing from the virtual lab experience is the presence of other users who may be working on similar things," said Mark McCahill, OIT systems architect. "This way, if you're confused about something, you can ask, ‘Does anybody know how to do this?'" 

The virtual lab leverages hardware donated by IBM to the Duke Shared Cluster Resource (DSCR), a high-performance research computing network, and software developed at N.C. State University. OIT staff adapted the open-source VCL code to work with Duke's authentication system and run on an enterprise-grade virtual computing environment. To make efficient use of Duke's servers, part of the VCL cluster will be available to researchers when classes are not in session.

Usage of traditional computer labs has fallen in recent years, as student ownership of computers has increased. About 95 percent of Duke first-year students own laptops.

"With the changing usage patterns, the role of the lab is evolving," said Julian Lombardi, assistant vice president in OIT. "The virtual lab makes it possible for any software or configuration to be delivered to any desktop or laptop no matter where it's located, and frees us up to manage centralized resources more effectively and efficiently."