1) Big win for South Korean IT departments - You can always blame any failures/problems on the elite North Korean hackers !
2) Big win for US security firms selling all kinds of 'Cyber Warfare' defence systems.
3) Just as likely to be bullshit propaganda (see point 1 and 2).

If I understand your question, it sounds like you are trying to deploy virtual private clouds for each student to play and have full control over. Sounds expensive and complex. Have fun.

Having students use GNS3 and Virtualbox on workstations, with the containers / config stored in user directories sounds like an easier solution. This allows the students for complete control to spin up extra VM of any type, use real router/switch images, vlans, etc.. It also allows the students to totally bugger it up and only affect their local system. If you allow external storage devices, they can even take their environment home.

You will need some decent fat workstations. I can't comment on how well GNS3/Virtualbox will run under virtual/thin workstations, if at all.

Obviously you are some kind of Starbucks wanker. You would probably drink toxic sludge if it had an Italian name, and was more then $5.

Coffee is brown coloured water that tastes strange. Doesn't mater where you get it.

Parking meter are not sold by the best technology, they are sold by the best kickbacks.

I worked for a company, and wrote the software for a street level parking kiosk that could do pay by space (enter a stall number), pay and display (put a ticket on the dash), and pay by plate (enter your plate number) all at the same time, and at the customers choosing. By having a slightly larger unit for every 10-15 spaces, you could offer payment by coin, bill, credit, cell phone, & stored value card (Gift Card).

Often though all the features that made sense (as a client is concerned) were disabled so that the revenue stream from parking and mostly ticketing is increased - Greed.

Of course, there are plenty of stupid meters out there. Most of the technology is still around the Commodore 64 era, and has never been improved. Any improvements you see are mostly cosmetic - ie, "New Fiber Optic Communications" are actually just a Serial to Ethernet converter, hooked into the existing RS-485 port on the machine.

In a different time, and a different economy, I'd say save hard for a few months, then quit, explaining that you cannot in good conscience work for a company that is devoid of humour.

Your comments are there for you and the person who comes after you. Trust me, THEY will appreciate it.

If the PHB is already opposed to this, then he is not a viable manager. Recession/Depression are the times when companies offload this type of cruft. Since he is still there, his brown nose skills are strong, and you should not challenge him. Suck it up and conform. Bide your time and break free when you can.

YOU IDIOT !!

Didn't you get the memo ! The plan is to TELL them we are bluring out the important buildings, but actually blur out the houses of the Investment Bankers.