Explaining the Machine Types: Fresh-Start, Trainer, Participant, and Standalone
DaDesktop is a sophisticated training platform that offers easy-to-use cloud desktops for training sessions, along with management tools that let you effortlessly control the desktop machines for each course.
To make this possible, DaDesktop employs several machine types that are alike in some ways but serve distinct purposes during a course.
Here’s a breakdown of each type.
Fresh-Start Machine
A Fresh-Start machine is where the trainer sets up and builds the entire course curriculum. After it’s finalized, the machine is duplicated to every participant’s desktop so they’re all set for the course. Think of a Fresh-Start as a master template—like a golden image—that can be restored at any time if anything goes wrong on a trainer’s or participant’s machine.
Trainer Machine
The Trainer machine is what the trainer uses to deliver the course content to participants. As the course progresses, this machine evolves from its original Fresh-Start state, since trainers will install, configure, and launch software apps and libraries directly related to the course topics.
When a course has more than one trainer, each will have their own Trainer machine.
Participant Machine
Each participant works on a Participant machine throughout the course, where they can install software, adjust settings, and complete exercises under the trainer’s supervision.
Usually, Fresh-Start, Trainer, and Participant machines are automatically removed shortly after the course wraps up. That’s why there’s an additional machine type that isn’t tied to any course and can be kept as long as you need: the Standalone.
Standalone Machine
A Standalone machine doesn’t have to be part of an actual training course. It’s a separate, independent desktop that can be used before or after a course ends, or even entirely on its own with no course connection at all. This makes it an especially flexible option.
Here are some common reasons you might set up a Standalone desktop:
- Building training course materials that you can reuse as many times as needed, even outside a scheduled course, or simply keeping them on hand for whenever they’re required.
- When you want a flexible machine—maybe running a different operating system like Linux or Windows—to safely test out new ideas.