SERVICES CENTER

Services

TxCR offers a suite of flagship services designed to provide realistic, scalable, and secure environments for cybersecurity learning, research, and professional development. Each service supports the broader mission of advancing education, innovation, and operational readiness at Texas A&M University.

VM Request

Deploy ready-to-use cybersecurity training and research environments powered by TxCR's Xen Orchestra infrastructure. Request virtual machines for hands-on exercises, network simulations, configuration labs, or hosting for student organizations and research projects. TxCR provides state-of-the-art infrastructure supporting students, faculty, and researchers with on-demand access to secure, scalable environments.

Industry-standard Linux environments for cybersecurity, software development, and system administration training. Our Linux VMs are fully configurable and available with BIOS or UEFI boot options.

Ubuntu Desktop 24

User-friendly desktop environment with modern interface, perfect for development, testing, and general-purpose computing.

Ubuntu Server 24

Streamlined server edition optimized for infrastructure deployment, application hosting, and cloud-native workloads.

Kali 2025.3

Latest industry-standard penetration testing platform with 600+ preinstalled security tools for offensive security operations and red team exercises.

Debian 13

Renowned for rock-solid stability and security; ideal for production servers, software testing, and research environments.

Fedora 42

Cutting-edge development platform featuring the latest open-source innovations and rapid release cycle for early adopters.

Mint 22 Cinnamon

Elegant, beginner-friendly desktop distribution with Cinnamon interface, excellent for workstations and daily computing.

Rocky 10

Enterprise-grade RHEL rebuild providing long-term stability and support for mission-critical production environments.

Pop! OS 22

Developer-focused Ubuntu derivative optimized for STEM workflows, gaming, and creative professionals.

RHEL 10

Red Hat Enterprise Linux with official commercial support, industry-leading security, and enterprise-grade reliability.

AlmaLinux 10

Community-driven enterprise Linux providing binary compatibility with RHEL for stable, long-term deployments.

Oracle Linux 10

Enterprise distribution featuring Oracle's Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel (UEK) for optimized performance and support.

Enterprise and client Windows systems configured for cybersecurity, Active Directory, and application testing.

Windows 10

Standardized desktop environment for endpoint management, malware analysis labs, and enterprise testing scenarios.

Windows 11

Modern Windows desktop with enhanced security features, improved virtualization support, and latest interface design.

Windows Server 2025

Latest enterprise server platform for Active Directory, domain management, group policy deployment, and infrastructure services.

Advanced network infrastructure platforms for firewall configuration, routing, VPN deployment, and software-defined networking. Essential for network security and infrastructure training.

OPNsense 25.7

Open-source firewall and routing platform providing advanced network security, VPN capabilities, and traffic management.

VyOS 1.5

Network operating system for software-defined networking, offering enterprise routing, firewall, and VPN functionality.

CTF Training Platform

The first Capture the Flag (CTF) and most up-to-date training platform at Texas A&M University Systems. All challenges are developed by Texas Cyber Range team members and include archived problems from TAMUctf.

  • Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) challenges
  • Reverse engineering exercises
  • Digital forensics simulations
  • Web exploitation scenarios
  • Binary exploitation training
  • Cryptography puzzles

Texas Cyber Defense Challenge (TCDC)

A team-based attack-and-defense (A&D) simulation where competitors defend live systems against active threats. TCDC blends competition with the A&D CTF category, providing participants with realistic high-pressure scenarios.

  • Team-based attack-and-defense format
  • Live system defense scenarios
  • Active threat simulation
  • Realistic high-pressure competition environment
  • Comprehensive cybersecurity skill assessment

Live Support

Need immediate assistance with TxCR services, infrastructure, or technical issues? Our Live Support team is here to help. Whether you're troubleshooting VM access, requesting infrastructure guidance, or need urgent technical support, reach out to us directly. Submit a support request through our contact form, and our team will respond promptly to address your needs.

  • Technical support for TxCR services and infrastructure
  • VM access and configuration assistance
  • Infrastructure guidance and troubleshooting
  • Urgent issue resolution and incident response
  • Direct communication with TxCR engineering team

Class Onboarding

Instructors and course coordinators: TxCR provides comprehensive onboarding support for integrating our infrastructure into your cybersecurity courses. We'll work with you to set up dedicated environments, configure lab resources, and ensure your students have seamless access to the tools they need. To request class onboarding, contact us with your course details, expected enrollment, required infrastructure (VMs, networks, specific tools), and semester timeline. Our team will coordinate with you to create a customized setup that supports your curriculum and learning objectives.

  • Dedicated course infrastructure and lab environments
  • Custom VM templates tailored to curriculum requirements
  • Student account provisioning and access management
  • Instructor training on TxCR platform and resource management
  • Ongoing technical support throughout the semester
  • Post-semester resource cleanup and data archival