Lab Interface

Main Sections

The lab environment is split in two sections. On the left is the virtual environment (e.g., a virtual machine), Also known as a Player Console. On the right, is the Navigation Pane*. This section may contain guides, instructions, assessment questions (input fields), and activities related to the lab module or challenge you have launched.

*The navigation pane is also commonly referred to as Instructions or Instructions Panel

Interface Layout

Here's a closer look at the main sections

Components

Each section contains components that may consist of buttons, shortcuts, and menus. These items will depend on the content and your organization's configuration, but will be similar and easy to recognize regardless of the content being used.

Component	Description
(1) Commands menu	Contains advanced lab functions. See the  Commands menu section for more information.
(2) VM menu	Contains virtual machine commands and display settings. See the VM menu section for more information.
(3) Full-screen	Maximizes the lab window with both, the lab environment and the lab instructions, into full-screen. You can hit the Escape(Esc) key to exit full-screen mode.
(4) VM Switcher	This is a special control that shows when there are multiple virtual machines attached to the lab. You may switch between virtual machines easily using this control.
(5) Connection status	Indicates when there are connection issues between your local computer and Skillable's Lab Servers.
(6) Instructions panel	Displays the lab instructions and activities.
(7) Resources panel	Contains lab resources such as virtual machines, cloud resources, and any credentials needed to complete the lab instructions. This is also where you can load files into your virtual machine.
(8) Exit & Save menu	The Exit & Save Menu provides options for learners and candidates to save, disconnect or end their current lab.
	Note: When you save your lab, the expiration date and time that is displayed after you save your lab. Once the expiration date and time has elapsed, the lab is cancelled and any work in the lab will be lost.
(9) Help	Opens a popup offering lab details for support, along with access to FAQs and additional help options, including general assistance and bug reporting.
(10) Settings	The Settings icon centralizes diverse functionalities for user customization, encompassing options for language, display preferences, tools and other various actions over the current lab.  See the Settings menu section for more information.
(11) Instruction Resizer	Drag left and right to adjust the size of the instruction pane.
(12) Navigation Controls	Navigates to the previous or next page in the lab instructions.
(13) Lab Progress	This area visually tracks the current lab's advancement and the remaining time left.

VM Menu

The Virtual Machine Menu is a useful feature that allows users to send power commands, adjust the appearance and connection of the virtual machine in the lab. You may need this menu to send power commands to the current VM, optimize their viewing experience, fit the virtual machine to their browser window size, or reconnect to the lab if the connection is lost.

Component	Description
(1) Reconnect	This will reconnect your local machine to the remote virtual machine, if the connection is interrupted.
(2) Pause Machine	This puts the virtual machine into a paused state. Once it is paused, it must be resumed to continue using the virtual machine.
(3) Reset/Reboot	This reboots the virtual machine. This does not gracefully shut down the machine. It is recommended to save your work before using this.
(4) Power Off	This powers down the virtual machine.
(5) Fit Machine to Window	This resizes the virtual machine to fit the browser window.
(6) Split Windows	This resizes the virtual machine to fit the browser window.
(7) Snapshots	Allows you to save a new snapshot or manage existing snapshots.