ACI Learning creates technology training on subjects such as IT administration and programming. On OpenSesame, ACI Learning offers two types of courses:

1. Videos, under the name ACI Learning.
2. Virtual labs, under the name ACI Skill Labs.

The two types work independently and can complement each other. Lab courses use a built-in “virtual machine (VM)”—software that simulates a PC—so you can practice what you learn.

This guide explains how to use the lab courses.

In this guide:

• Before you begin
• Requirements
• Where to find labs
• How to start a lab
• How to complete a lab

Before you begin

ACI Skill Labs work differently from other OpenSesame courses because of their virtual machine.

For the best experience, know that:

1. Virtual machines “boot up,” just like turning on an actual computer. This can take a few minutes.
2. Progress does not bookmark. Every time you open a lab’s virtual machine, the VM starts from the beginning. Please allow enough time to finish a lab in one session.
3. Every lab is different. Actions, such as clicking or dragging, are in bold. Anything you need to type, such as a command, is in a special font.
4. Be precise. Typos or missed steps can prevent commands from working.
5. Completions require Stop or Finish. After a virtual machine is opened, selecting Stop or Finish registers a completion, regardless of how much of the lab has been used.

If you need technical support while taking a lab, select the “ ? ” in the bottom corner and then Help Desk to submit a support ticket. You can also open a ticket by emailing support@opensesame.com. (Support agents can assist if something does not work, however they cannot answer questions about course content.)

Requirements

For video courses, see the OpenSesame System Requirements.

For ACI Skill Labs, add the following:

• Use Google Chrome. Other browsers may have unexpected behavior, such as disappearing cursors or double typing.
• Allow pop-ups, as mentioned in the system requirements. ACI Skill Labs use pop-ups for authentication, and courses open in a new window.
• Agree to Infosec Learning’s terms of use, which appear upon launch. (Infosec Learning is part of ACI Learning and created the lab software.) If you do not agree, you cannot use their labs.

Where to find labs

If you are a learner, labs may be available where you find video courses. This could be in a learning platform or through a launch link. If you expect labs and they do not appear, contact your learning administrator.

If you are a learning administrator, to locate ACI Skill Labs:

1. Visit the OpenSesame marketplace.
2. Use the Publisher filter to select ACI Skill Labs.
3. All results are now labs.

Another option is to find Curated Lists that collect ACI Learning’s video and lab courses together.

1. Visit the OpenSesame marketplace.
2. Use the Product Type filter to select Lists.
3. Enter “ACI Learning” into the search bar.
4. All results are now relevant Lists.

If you want learners to take video and lab courses, remember to include both when you deliver courses. If you use a learning platform, such as a learning management system, some platforms let you group related courses together, such as with learning paths or collections.

How to start a lab

First, launch an ACI Skill Lab the same way as any other course—usually from a button in a learning platform or a launch link.

The course opens a new window with Infosec Learning’s terms and conditions. (If you get a page saying “We launched your course in a new window” instead, a pop-up blocker is probably on. Allow pop-ups, then try relaunching.)

To continue, select I agree to these terms.

Next, some “before you begin” tips may appear. If not, you can access them from the help menu.

For an overview of the lab’s sections, select Menu.

You can enlarge the window and use the slider bar to resize the two areas of the course. (If the slider bar is horizontal and you want it vertical, enlarge the window.)

Select the Start button, then read the instructions while the lab environment is set up. This is not a virtual machine, but it takes a few minutes.

When setup finishes, the lab’s virtual machine (VM) options appear. As shown in the top corner, this is the “topology” window.

In the opposite top corner, a timer appears. When five minutes remain, the lab asks you to confirm you’re still working. 

• If you do, the session extends.
• If the timer reaches 00:00:00, the lab ends.

Depending on how many VMs there are in the lab, the image in this window is either a monitor and a computer case, or no monitor and multiple computer cases.

You can open a VM in a new window or the active window, depending on your preference. It usually takes a few minutes to start up.

• To open in a new window, select the image. If the image shows multiple computer cases connected to one another (the topology), select the one indicated in the instructions. The topology window will remain in the background.
• To open within the active window, select the VM menu and choose from within. If you find the text is too small, try opening in a new window.

The next steps vary. Some labs immediately open to a PC desktop, and others open to a terminal window. Some log in automatically, and others need you to log in.

If your cursor does not appear, click the page.

If you use a Mac and are asked to press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, click the Send Ctrl+Alt+Delete button.

If buttons or parts of the desktop are missing, try enlarging the window.

If you need an administrator’s password, find it in the lab’s instructions.

If a Networks prompt appears, you can select No or dismiss it.

If an update prompt appears, you can disregard and close it.

How to complete a lab

To complete an ACI Learning lab:

1. Launch the course, then open a VM.
2. Use the Finish button, found on the final page of instructions, or the Stop button, found in the topology window.
3. In the confirmation window that appears, select OK.

A “Your session has ended” message appears, and the lab is complete. You can close the course.

It is not necessary to answer Challenge Questions to earn a completion. They exist to reinforce what you learn in the lab.

If you have further questions, our Support team is here to help at support@opensesame.com or via live chat and phone. Reach us at (503) 808-1268, ext. 2 (U.S.) or +44 203 744 5541 (Europe).