Building and Managing IP Networks in the Cloud for Railways (Lab Workshop)

This practical workshop provides railway telecoms, operational technology and network engineering teams with the core IP engineering skills required to understand, build and troubleshoot modern rail communications networks.

Using a dedicated cloud-hosted lab environment, participants will configure and test IP networks using Linux-based routers and hosts. The course develops practical capability in IP addressing, subnetting, routing, OSPF, BGP, default gateways, and end-to-end connectivity verification. Although the lab is hosted in AWS and provisioned using Terraform, the focus is on transferable IP networking principles that apply across railway telecoms, enterprise networks, test environments and future operational communications systems.

The workshop is particularly relevant to organisations preparing for the evolution from legacy rail communications systems towards IP-based architectures, including FRMCS. Delegates will explore how IP networks support resilient connectivity, lab validation, service separation, routing, troubleshooting and the wider system-of-systems approach required for modern railway telecoms.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have gained hands-on experience in building, configuring and validating IP networks, giving them a stronger foundation for working with rail telecoms infrastructure, cloud-based test environments and future FRMCS-related systems.

Who Would Benefit

• Network engineers and system administrators seeking practical experience with AWS, EC2, Terraform, and Infrastructure as Code.
• DevOps and IT professionals who want to build confidence in deploying and troubleshooting cloud-based IP networks.
• Telecoms operators and engineers aiming to understand how cloud-hosted IP networking and routing protocols can support next-generation telecom systems.
• Regulators and government agencies who require insight into how cloud environments operate for testing, validation, and compliance.
• Utilities, transport, and critical communications organisations (e.g. energy, rail, emergency services) modernising their telecoms systems and exploring cloud-based lab and test environments.
• Enterprise network teams in sectors such as finance, defence, and public safety, looking to integrate cloud networking into their infrastructure planning.

Course Contents

• Cloud, Virtualization, and the Lab Environment
  
• IP Addressing and Subnetting
  
• IP Networking and Routing Protocols
  
• Rail Telecoms and FRMCS System Context
• Conclusion & Next Steps
  

Lab Features & Benefits Through a combination of hands-on experience and guided instruction our virtual labs allow users to explore the network. Our labs feature: A simulated network -Provides hands-on experience and reinforces theoretical knowledge. Guided exercises for signalling scenarios - makes learning and applying new concepts straightforward. Cloud-based lab - available 24/7 on any connected device. Individual dedicate server - Ensures that your work is kept private and secure. Ongoing trainer support - ensures you get expert advice when needed. Full integration with Wray Castles training programmes - allows you to build bespoke learning pathways for specialist teams across your organisation.