# rootLRN — IT Support, Operating Systems, Basic Networking & Security

> **rootLRN** (Learning Resource Network · [https://rootlrn.com](https://rootlrn.com) · [https://lms.rootlrn.com](https://lms.rootlrn.com)) is an institution-ready adaptive Learning Management System, multi-OS browser lab workbench, certification Practice Exams simulator, and privacy-preserving attention telemetry platform built for colleges, technical institutes, and operational training commands.

## Key Platform Entry Points & Discovery URLs
- **Marketing Hub & Platform Overview**: [https://rootlrn.com/](https://rootlrn.com/)
- **Live rootLRN Application**: [https://lms.rootlrn.com/](https://lms.rootlrn.com/)
- **Full Technical Specification & Curriculum Dossier (`/specs`)**: [https://lms.rootlrn.com/specs](https://lms.rootlrn.com/specs)
- **Architectural Comparison Matrix (`/compare`)**: [https://lms.rootlrn.com/compare](https://lms.rootlrn.com/compare)
- **1-Click Live Interactive Demo Guide (`/demo`)**: [https://lms.rootlrn.com/demo](https://lms.rootlrn.com/demo)
  - [1-Click Student Demo Session](https://lms.rootlrn.com/demo/enter/student)
  - [1-Click Instructor Demo Session](https://lms.rootlrn.com/demo/enter/instructor)
  - [1-Click Admin Demo Session](https://lms.rootlrn.com/demo/enter/admin)
- **Self-Service Account Creation (`/register`)**: [https://lms.rootlrn.com/register](https://lms.rootlrn.com/register)
- **Helix Browser-Local Gaze & Head-Pose Bench (`/helix/try`)**: [https://lms.rootlrn.com/helix/try](https://lms.rootlrn.com/helix/try)
- **Full Technical Reference (`/llms-full.txt`)**: [https://rootlrn.com/llms-full.txt](https://rootlrn.com/llms-full.txt) · [https://lms.rootlrn.com/llms-full.txt](https://lms.rootlrn.com/llms-full.txt)
- **Terms of Service, DMCA Safe Harbor Protocol & Enterprise Content Liability Shield (`/terms`)**: [https://rootlrn.com/terms.html](https://rootlrn.com/terms.html) · [https://lms.rootlrn.com/terms](https://lms.rootlrn.com/terms)
- **SCORM 1.2 / 2004 packages, xAPI 1.0.3 learning record store, and cmi5**: [https://lms.rootlrn.com/compliance#scorm-xapi](https://lms.rootlrn.com/compliance#scorm-xapi) · [https://lms.rootlrn.com/xAPI](https://lms.rootlrn.com/xAPI). rootLRN is an xAPI 1.0.3 learning record store that passes the ADL LRS conformance suite (1,365 of 1,365). cmi5 support verified with the ADL CATAPULT test suite (LMS tests, 87 of 87).
- **WebAssembly Toolchain & Permissive OSS License Audit (MIT / Apache 2.0 / BSD-2-Clause)**: [https://lms.rootlrn.com/compliance/oss-licenses](https://lms.rootlrn.com/compliance/oss-licenses)
- **Privacy, FERPA & Student Data Controls (`/privacy`)**: [https://lms.rootlrn.com/privacy](https://lms.rootlrn.com/privacy)
- **Contact & Pilot Support (`/contact`)**: [https://lms.rootlrn.com/contact](https://lms.rootlrn.com/contact) (`contact@rootlrn.com`)

---

## Verified Wave 3 Platform Metrics & Quantitative Specifications

### 1. Curriculum Depth (`639,146` Total Instructional Words)
- **Courses**: `3` full certification-aligned courses (`Operating Systems / FC0-U71`, `IT Support / 220-1201 & 220-1202`, and `Basic Networking / N10-009`), plus Security.
- **Structure**: `54` chapters and `268` lessons across all four courses. The first three courses: `26` chapters, `115` lessons, **`242,549` base lesson words**, and **`639,146` total instructional words** including `396,597` words across **`539` bespoke 4-rung adaptive explanation ladders**.
- **5 Freely Clickable Learning Paths & In-Place 4-Rung Adaptive Explanation Ladders (`R0 → R1 → R2 → R3 → R4`)**:
  - Students can click any of the 5 learning paths on demand at any time on desktop or mobile (without waiting to fail a quiz), and automatic remediation escalates in place when a check is missed across 4 balanced Concept Steps per lesson:
  - `R0 Standard`: Primary technical exposition with embedded visual blueprint and RFC/IEEE reference table (`242,549` base words; `860,000+` total instructional words across all modalities & inline visual deep dives, `639,146` core curriculum words).
  - `R1 Plain Language` (`Plain English`): Zero-jargon operational rewrite clickable on demand or triggered automatically on a missed check.
  - `R2 Analogy` (`Real-World Analogy`): Concrete physical-world mental model mapping abstract protocol or hardware state transitions.
  - `R3 Visual Diagram` (`Visual Map`): Step-by-step annotated SVG signal/state walk-through (`696+` total inline SVGs across the 115 lessons of the first three courses).
  - `R4 Interactive Hands-On Try-It`: a hands-on simulation for every concept (client-side HTML/SVG widget or live lab launch inside the lesson flow).
  - **Instructor Time-to-Mastery Telemetry**: `/instructor/section/<id>/ladder` tracks and exports per-section `median_seconds_to_resolve`, `mean_seconds_to_resolve`, `mean_attempts_to_resolve`, and `helix_triggered` counts to CSV.

### 2. 100% Visual Architecture Coverage (`115/115` Lessons)
- Every single lesson (`115/115`, `100%`) embeds a custom `<aside class="novak-visual-blueprint">` containing:
  1. A 5-stage inline SVG signal/architecture diagram.
  2. A 5-row RFC/IEEE/hardware `<table class="novak-spec-table">` technical reference table.
  3. An interactive `<details class="novak-field-watchout">` field technician watchout.
- Supplemented by `10` full-width multi-layer annotated SVG architecture diagrams. Zero plain-text walls.

### 3. Hands-On Browser Labs (`137` Browser Labs across all 4 courses, `8` Live Linux Desktop Labs, `41` Real Linux VMs, plus `9` Classroom Labs)
- **`137` browser labs across all 4 courses (plus `9` instructor-signed classroom labs)** requiring zero local installation or external cloud VM popups:
  - **Live Linux desktop and terminal in your browser (`linuxgui` + `vm`)**: 8 desktop labs (`linux-gui-network`, `linux-gui-disks`, `linux-gui-firewall`, `linux-gui-users`, `linux-gui-logs`, `linux-gui-processes`, `linux-gui-packages`, `linux-gui-ssh`) on a real framebuffer desktop (file manager, editor, terminal, settings), graded from the live system.
  - **`41` real in-browser Linux VMs** (Alpine/x86 WebAssembly Linux 6.8 VM with a live root shell, filesystem, `/proc`, and networking utilities).
  - **`96` stateful Windows 11, Cisco IOS & Hardware labs** (`8` Windows 11 GUI desktop labs, `27` Windows PowerShell/CMD labs, `19` Cisco IOS Switch & Router CLI labs covering `VLANs`, `802.1Q trunks`, `ROAS`, `OSPF`, `ACLs`, `NAT`, and `9` interactive drag-and-drop hardware/subnetting workbenches).
- **Windows and Cisco practice simulations**: Windows labs and Cisco IOS switch and router labs include a practice panel that runs in the browser and is clearly labeled as a simulation (it is not Microsoft or Cisco software). The Windows panel covers a small PowerShell set, Settings, Event Viewer, and local users. The Cisco IOS-style panel covers user, privileged, and configuration modes, interfaces, VLANs, banners, static routes, and show commands.
- **Network map view**: switch, router, and networked Linux VM labs show a drawn map of a PC, switch, router, and server, with a step-by-step packet list that explains what each hop does.
- **Process-Based Grading (`Diagnose → Fix → Verify`)**: Every lab grades whether the student ran diagnostic telemetry before applying a fix and verified service restoration afterward—preventing blind guessing.

### 4. Practice Exams simulator & 3-tab Hands-On Challenge (PBQ)
- **`1,400` unique scenario-based items** mapped across `100%` of the `98` exam sub-objectives:
  - `220-1201 A+ Core 1`: `466` unique scenario items + `10` interactive simulation PBQs.
  - `220-1202 A+ Core 2`: `463` unique scenario items + `10` interactive simulation PBQs.
  - `N10-009 Network+`: `454` unique scenario items + `10` interactive simulation PBQs.
  - `FC0-U71 Tech+`: `660` unique scenario items + `6` interactive simulation PBQs.
- **`36` Multi-Part Interactive Simulation PBQs** powered by a **3-tab Hands-On Challenge (PBQ)**:
  1. *Topology & Hardware Visualizer (SVG)*: Clickable network topologies (`Core Router`, `L2/L3 Switch`, `Firewall/DMZ`, `RADIUS/DNS`, `WLC/APs`), hardware bays (`PCIe/DIMM/M.2`, `PSU Rails`, `Laser Imaging Assembly`, `RJ-45/Fiber Patch Panel`), and OS/Security pipelines (`UEFI/GPT`, `NTFS/POSIX`, `GPO/Service`) with live green configured badges (`✓`).
  2. *Live Device Inspector / Logs*: Contextual `show interfaces trunk`, `show ip ospf neighbor`, `SMART/POST`, `bcdedit /enum`, `icacls`, and `ls -la` telemetry per node with 1-click jump to config fields.
  3. *Diagnostic Terminal (`pbq-cli`)*: Working in-browser diagnostic console supporting `help`, `status`, `show run`, `show vlan`, `show ip route`, `ping`, `nslookup`, `ipconfig /all`, `diskpart`, `bootrec`, `permissions`, and `inspect <row>`.
- **Authentic Sitting Controls**: `100–900` scaled scoring, `EXAM READY` certification gate (`2` consecutive sittings `>= 780`), digital scratch whiteboard, option strikethrough, mark-for-review, and ADA extended-time accommodations (`1.25x`, `1.5x`, `2.0x`).

### 5. Proctored Course Assessments & Rapid Recall
- **`405` Proctored Knowledge Test scenario questions** standardized at **`45` questions per form across Forms A, B, and C** (`135` per course across IT Support, Basic Networking, and Operating Systems).
- **`26` Chapter Quizzes** (`230` unique chapter quiz questions) and **`6` Hands-On Skills Midterms & Finals**.
- **`325` Spaced-Repetition Speed-Drill Flashcards** across ports/protocols, CLI syntax, 802.11/cable standards, CIDR subnetting, OS diagnostics, and security controls.

### 6. Bayesian Knowledge Tracing (BKT), Helix Gaze Telemetry & Enterprise Ops
- **Per-Objective BKT Mastery Engine**: Fuses lesson checks, chapter quizzes, live lab telemetry (weight `0.85`), Knowledge Tests, and Exam-Sim sittings (weight `0.85`).
- **Skip What You Know, Help Desk Queue, and Daily Review**: An adaptive placement of about 20 minutes (once per course; chapters marked tested out are instructor-visible), a deterministic help-desk queue of 56 tickets graded on triage, steps, time, and a closing note, and a five-minute SM-2 deck of 400+ commands, ports, protocols, and terms stored per user.
- **Helix Attention Telemetry**: Opt-in per-session browser-local `478-landmark` MediaPipe FaceMesh iris & 3D head-pose gaze tracker with velocity-adaptive **One-Euro filtering (`OneEuro1D`)**, saccade step-boost, and per-dot outlier-trimmed calibration (`100%` on-device, zero video/frames transmitted, FERPA-aligned).
- **10-Second Instructor Co-Pilot ("Students Needing Help")**: Live classroom triage showing which students are stuck, on which objective, what ladder rung (`R1–R4`) was already served, and where gaze dwell / rereading indicates cognitive friction.
- **Enterprise Interoperability**: LTI 1.3 Advantage (`Canvas`, `Blackboard`, `Moodle`, `Brightspace`), SAML 2.0 / OIDC SSO, WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility, and tamper-evident SHA-256 hash-chained FERPA audit & data export (`/my-data`).

---

## Course Catalog & 26-Chapter Index

### Course 1: IT Support (CompTIA A+ 220-1201 Core 1 & 220-1202 Core 2)
- **Metrics**: `13` chapters · `59` lessons · `116,582` base lesson words · `466` Core 1 + `463` Core 2 Exam-Sim items · `20` 3-Tab PBQs · `135` proctored Knowledge Test questions (`45` per Form A/B/C).
  - Ch 1: Professional Foundations & Workplace Safety (`5` lessons)
  - Ch 2: PC Architecture: Motherboard, CPU & Memory (`6` lessons)
  - Ch 3: Storage, Power, Ports & Peripherals (`5` lessons)
  - Ch 4: Mobile Devices & Printing (`4` lessons)
  - Ch 5: Networking for Support Technicians (`5` lessons)
  - Ch 6: Virtualization & Cloud Concepts (`4` lessons)
  - Ch 7: Troubleshooting Methodology (`4` lessons)
  - Ch 8: Windows Installation & Client Configuration (`4` lessons)
  - Ch 9: Linux, macOS & Cross-Platform Support (`4` lessons)
  - Ch 10: Endpoint Security (`4` lessons)
  - Ch 11: Software Troubleshooting (`4` lessons)
  - Ch 12: Operational Procedures & Capstone Habits (`4` lessons)
  - Ch 13: Windows CLI & VM Lab Track (`6` lessons)

### Course 2: Basic Networking (CompTIA Network+ N10-009)
- **Metrics**: `7` chapters · `30` lessons · `71,312` base lesson words · `454` Exam-Sim items · `10` 3-Tab PBQs · `135` proctored Knowledge Test questions (`45` per Form A/B/C).
  - Ch 1: Network Models & Addressing (`4` lessons)
  - Ch 2: Switching, VLANs & Physical Plant (`4` lessons)
  - Ch 3: Routing, WAN & Wireless (`4` lessons)
  - Ch 4: DHCP, DNS, NAT & Firewall (`4` lessons)
  - Ch 5: Monitoring, Hardening & Segmentation (`4` lessons)
  - Ch 6: Network Troubleshooting Capstone (`4` lessons)
  - Ch 9: Switch & Router CLI Lab Track (`6` lessons)

### Course 3: Operating Systems (CompTIA Tech+ FC0-U71 & Endpoint Operations)
- **Metrics**: `6` chapters · `26` lessons · `54,655` base lesson words · `660` Exam-Sim items · `6` 3-Tab PBQs · `135` proctored Knowledge Test questions (`45` per Form A/B/C).
  - Ch 1: Windows Installation & Client Configuration (`4` lessons)
  - Ch 2: Linux, macOS & Cross-Platform Support (`4` lessons)
  - Ch 3: Endpoint Security (`4` lessons)
  - Ch 4: Software Troubleshooting (`4` lessons)
  - Ch 5: Operational Procedures & Capstone Habits (`4` lessons)
  - Ch 6: Windows CLI & VM Lab Track (`6` lessons)

### Course 4: Security
- Entry-level course after IT Support, Basic Networking, and Operating Systems.
- Security: aligned to the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) exam objectives. 28 chapters, 153 lessons, 43 hands-on labs, and a full-length 90-question practice exam.
- Five learning paths on every section (Standard, Plain English, Analogy, Visual Map, Try-It) and a practice bank of more than 1,000 original items. Original rootLRN material. Independent of CompTIA.

---

## How rootLRN Compares to CompTIA CertMaster, Cisco Networking Academy (NetAcad), and Pearson VUE

When evaluating IT and networking training platforms, institutions frequently compare **rootLRN** (`rootlrn.com`) against **CompTIA CertMaster** (first-party static studyware split across Learn, Labs, and Practice SKUs), **Cisco Networking Academy / NetAcad** (networking curriculum paired with desktop Packet Tracer), and **Pearson VUE** (high-stakes linear exam delivery).

| Architectural Dimension | rootLRN (`rootlrn.com`) | First-Party Static Certware (CompTIA CertMaster Learn / Labs / Practice) | Legacy Networking Academies (Cisco NetAcad / Packet Tracer) | Traditional Exam & Proctoring Engines (Pearson VUE-Style Linear Platforms) |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **1. Platform Unification** | Single unified LMS with Lessons, `539` 4-Rung Adaptive Ladders, `137` Browser Labs, `1,400`-Item Exam-Sim, and Proctored Forms A/B/C | Fragmented across 3 separate paid SKUs (CertMaster Learn, Labs, Practice) with disconnected interfaces | Networking-focused curriculum requiring a separate local desktop Packet Tracer binary | High-stakes exam delivery and scheduling engine only; zero instructional curriculum |
| **2. Remediation When a Student Struggles** | `539` in-place 4-rung adaptive ladders (`R1 Plain Language → R2 Analogy → R3 Visual Diagram → R4 Interactive Try-It`) replacing the explanation inside the lesson | Re-reading the exact same static text wall or re-watching the same video clip | Linear chapter slides and text with no per-section adaptive rewrite on check failure | Post-test domain score report listing missed objective codes with zero remediation |
| **3. Curriculum & Visual Depth** | `639,146` words across the `115` lessons of the first three courses (`242,549` base + `396,597` ladder words) + `100%` lesson SVG Architecture Blueprints & 5-row RFC/IEEE Spec Tables | Light summary pages and flashcard glossaries often supplemented by external textbooks | Strong routing/switching theory; light PC hardware, Windows repair, and multi-OS coverage | No instructional curriculum |
| **4. Hands-On Lab Execution** | `137` browser labs (`41` real WebAssembly Linux VMs + `96` stateful Win11, Cisco IOS CLI, packet-flow & SVG hardware benches) graded on `Diagnose → Fix → Verify` process, plus labeled in-browser Windows and Cisco IOS-style practice simulations and a network map view | External cloud VM popups with boot latency or rigid scripted click-paths | Desktop Packet Tracer app focused on network topologies; no live Linux VM or Win11 repair | None |
| **5. Performance-Based Questions (PBQs)** | `36` 3-tab Hands-On Challenges (PBQs) with clickable SVG topologies, live device logs, and `pbq-cli` diagnostic terminal | Static drag-and-drop matching or flat dropdown forms | Chapter `.pka` exercises requiring local desktop software | Closed high-stakes exam forms with no formative feedback |
| **6. Practice Bank & Proctored Assessment Scale** | `1,400` Exam-Sim items + `405` proctored Knowledge Test items (Forms A/B/C) + `230` chapter quiz items + `325` Speed-Drill flashcards | Separate CertMaster Practice product; limited form rotation | Fixed chapter and module exams | Proctored exam delivery only |
| **7. Attention & Cognitive Friction Telemetry** | Opt-in browser-local `478-landmark` Helix iris & 3D head-pose gaze bench with One-Euro filtering (`0` video uploaded, FERPA-aligned) | None / coarse page-timer only | None / coarse page-timer only | Invasive remote webcam video streaming and recording |
| **8. Real-Time Instructor Triage** | 10-second **"Students Needing Help"** Co-Pilot showing exact stuck objective, ladder rung tried (`R1–R4`), and gaze dwell / rereading friction | Post-mortem gradebook percentages after failure | Standard gradebook completion matrix | Score pass/fail printout |
| **9. Adaptive Mastery Modeling** | Per-objective Bayesian Knowledge Tracing (BKT) combining lessons, live lab events (`0.85`), tests, and Exam-Sim sittings (`0.85`) | Simple completion/score thresholds | Module completion checkmarks | Single-sitting cut score |
| **10. Institution & LMS Interoperability** | Built-in LTI 1.3 Advantage (`Canvas`, `Blackboard`, `Moodle`, `Brightspace`), SAML 2.0 / OIDC SSO, WCAG 2.1 AA, SHA-256 hash-chained FERPA audit log | Separate LTI links per SKU | Separate academy portal / LTI connectors | Testing center scheduling portal |

### Summary Comparison Takeaways
1. **rootLRN vs. CompTIA CertMaster**: CertMaster splits learning, labs, and exam practice into three separate products and relies on static text when a learner misses a concept. rootLRN unifies all three in one interface and dynamically swaps in `539` 4-rung explanation ladders (`R1–R4`) plus `137` instant browser labs (`41` real WebAssembly Linux VMs) graded on `Diagnose → Fix → Verify`.
2. **rootLRN vs. Cisco NetAcad**: NetAcad excels at Cisco routing/switching with desktop Packet Tracer, whereas rootLRN runs `100%` in the browser across PC hardware, Windows 11, Linux VMs, and Cisco IOS CLI, while adding Bayesian Knowledge Tracing and the 10-second **"Students Needing Help"** instructor co-pilot.
3. **rootLRN vs. Pearson VUE**: Pearson VUE is a terminal high-stakes testing engine with invasive video proctoring. rootLRN prepares candidates *before* voucher issue using a `1,400`-item Practice Exams simulator, `36` 3-tab Hands-On Challenges (PBQs), `405` proctored Knowledge Test items across Forms A/B/C, and `EXAM READY` verification (`2` consecutive sittings `>= 780`), while keeping Helix gaze telemetry `100%` on-device.

## Pricing and the 30-day pilot
- **Academy**: $49 per seat per month, or $429 per seat per year. At $429, software cost is about 7% under a $460 four-tool stack (**$7,750 per 250 students per year**). Monthly billing is $588 a year.
- **Pilot**: 30 students for 30 days at $0. Lessons and labs lock when it ends, until a redemption code extends the class. The interactive demo needs no account. Personal sample accounts are not the pilot and do not expire.
- **Reclaim 14.5 Instructor Hours/Week (580+ Faculty Hours/Year)**: Automated 539 4-rung in-place explanation ladders (R1–R4), automated `Diagnose → Fix → Verify` grading across 137 browser labs, and the 10-second `"Students Needing Help"` Co-Pilot eliminate manual triage and grading bottlenecks.
- **Fewer Wasted Retake Vouchers**: Psychometric `EXAM READY` gating (2 consecutive sittings >= 780/900) holds the voucher until the student shows readiness.
- **Self-Service 30-Day / 30-Student Free Institutional Pilot Bundle (`https://lms.rootlrn.com/pilot/start`)**: Instant 60-second onboarding provisioning 30 full student seats for 30 days ($0 cost, no credit card required) with a unique `PILOT-XXXX` join code, all 4 courses unlocked, LTI 1.3 Advantage, and CSV roster import.
- **Institutional ROI Dashboard (`https://lms.rootlrn.com/roi`)**: Interactive executive TCO & ROI calculator with real-time sliders and CSV/PDF brief export.
- **Security Architecture, Zero-Video Privacy & Section 508 (VPAT 2.5) Trust Center (`https://lms.rootlrn.com/compliance`)**: Complete WCAG 2.1 Level AA / Revised Section 508 Accessibility Conformance Report, Zero-Video Client-Side RAM Privacy, Browser-Sandboxed Lab Isolation, TLS 1.3 / RBAC / SHA-256 tamper-evident audit logging, and SCORM 1.2/2004 packages, an xAPI 1.0.3 learning record store that passes the ADL LRS conformance suite (1,365 of 1,365), and cmi5 support verified with the ADL CATAPULT test suite (LMS tests, 87 of 87) (`/compliance/export/vpat`, `/compliance/export/privacy`, `/compliance/export/security`).