Hands-On Lab Workshop: Model Context Protocol (MCP) Foundations Lab
Event Overview
Join us for a hands-on exploration of the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open-source standard quickly gaining momentum in the world of AI. Whether you are a developer, engineer, or someone curious about how AI systems connect to real tools and data, this lab will walk you through the core concepts of MCP and give you practical skills to build, run, and connect your own MCP servers. This is a fundamentals-level lab focused on giving you a solid, practical understanding of how MCP works and why it is becoming the universal protocol for AI agent tool use — often described as the USB standard of the AI world.
Featured Speakers
What to expect
- MCP Foundations: Learn what MCP is, how it works, and why it is rapidly becoming an adopted standard in the world of AI.
- Docker Desktop MCP Toolkit: Use the Docker Desktop MCP Toolkit for rapid, guided experimentation with MCP servers.
- Build Your Own MCP Server: Create a simple custom MCP server and connect it to an MCP client in a pre-configured lab environment.
- Hands-On Lab Environment: Access a Windows 11 jumpbox pre-loaded with all required tools including VS Code, Continue.dev, and an NVIDIA NIM running Llama 3.3-70B.
- Interactive Q&A: Collaborate with WWT experts and fellow participants during live discussion segments.
Goals and Objectives
• Learn the foundational concepts and terminology of MCP. • Use the Docker Desktop MCP Toolkit for rapid experimentation. • Build a simple custom MCP server and connect it to an MCP client. • Gain confidence working with MCP servers and clients in real-world scenarios. • Understand why MCP is quickly becoming an adopted standard in the AI industry.
Who should attend?
This lab is ideal for developers, engineers, and IT professionals who are curious about how AI systems connect to real tools and data. Whether you are new to AI tool integration or looking to build a solid foundation in open-source AI standards, this fundamentals-level lab is designed to be accessible to all skill levels. No prior MCP experience is required. Participants with a background in software development or AI/ML workflows will find the hands-on exercises especially valuable.