TUT-S23
Laptop Requirements
IMPORTANT - BRING YOUR OWN LAPTOP WITH WINDOWS
To get the most value out of the course, students are required to bring their own laptop so that they can connect directly to the workshop network that we will create. It is the students' responsibility to make sure that the system is properly configured with all drivers necessary to connect to an Ethernet network.
Some of the course exercises are based on Windows, while others focus on Linux. VMware Player or VMware Workstation is required for the class.
WindowsYou are required to bring Windows 7 (Professional or Ultimate), Windows Vista (Business or Ultimate), Windows XP Pro, or Windows 2003 or 2008 Server, either a real system or a virtual machine. Windows 7 Home, Windows Vista Home, Windows XP Home, and Windows 2000 (all versions) will NOT work for the class as they do not include all of the built-in capabilities we need for comprehensive analysis of the system. You are also required to bring your own virtual machine image of XP SP2 or XP SP3.
The course includes a VMware image file of a guest Linux system that is larger than 2 GB. Therefore, you need a file system with the ability to read and write files that are larger than 2 GB, such as NTFS on a Windows machine.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You will also be required to disable your anti-virus tools temporarily for some exercises, so make sure you have the anti-virus administrator permissions to do so. DO NOT plan on just killing your anti-virus service or processes, because most anti-virus tools still function even when their associated services and processes have been terminated. Also ensure that you can install software that may be blocked by administrative or security controls due to their nature. You will be installing various debuggers and vulnerable applications onto the VM's.
VMware
You will use VMware to run Windows and Linux operating systems simultaneously when performing exercises in class. You must have either the free VMware Player 2.0 or later or the commercial VMware Workstation 5.0 or later installed on your system prior to coming to class. You can download VMware Player for free at www.vmware.com. Alternatively, if you want a more flexible and configurable tool, you can download a free 30-day trial copy of VMware Workstation from www.vmware.com. VMware will send you a time-limited license number for VMware Workstation if you register for the trial at their Web site. No license number is required for VMware Player.
We will give you a DVD full of attack tools to experiment with during the class and take home for later analysis. We will also provide a Linux image with all of our tools pre-installed that runs within VMware Player or VMware Workstation.
Linux
You do not need to bring a Linux system if you plan to use our Linux image in VMware. However, you are required to bring VMware Workstation or VMware Player. The class does not support VirtualPC or other non-VMware virtualization products.
Mandatory Laptop Hardware Requirements
- PIII 1Ghz CPU Minimum / M Series 1.5 GHz or higher is recommended
- DVD/CD Combo Drive
- 1 Gigabyte of RAM minimum, 2 Gigabyte or more is highly recommended
- 40 Gigabyte Hard Drive minimum (HARD DRIVE SIZE IS CRITICAL)
- 30 Gigabytes of Free Space on your Hard Drive
- Download and install WINZIP 11 or higher on your Windows Machine
- Bring your INSTALLATION CD-ROMS or DVDs to the course
- Verify that your processor architecture supports your VMware version. Do not wait until the day of class.
- Ethernet adaptor
Paranoia is Good
During the workshop, you will be connecting to one of the most hostile networks on planet earth! Your laptop might be attacked. Do not have any sensitive data stored on the system. SANS is not responsible for your system if someone in the class attacks it in the workshop.
By bringing the right equipment and preparing in advance, you can maximize what you'll see and learn as well as have a lot of fun.
You will use VMware to run multiple operating systems when performing class exercises. Linux VM's with all necessary tools will be provided on a DVD on the first day.
