Planning and Preparation to Move from Campus Edition 4.1 to the CE Enterprise

License (Release 6)Phil O’Hara

July 10, 2007 4:30 PM

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• Enter the room titled: Bb World Road Trip

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AGENDA

• About Dal• First Kick at the Can• An About Face• Assembling the Team• Time Line• Observations• Serendipity• Celebrating Success

While the move from WebCT Campus

Edition 4.1 to the Blackboard Learning

System - CE Enterprise License (Release

6) proved a greater challenge than

expected, there were unexpected benefits,

as well. New positive relationships between

formerly disconnected groups, an improved

sense of ownership by all involved and

collegial problem-solving support in day-to-

day challenges have all been byproducts of

our team approach. This presenter will

outline our migration approach, staff training

and interdependencies between team

members.

ABOUT DAL

• Located In Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada• ~ 15,000 FTE Undergrad, Grad, Post-Grad• Original WebCT Shop in 1996• More than 70% LCMS Penetration• BLS Production in September 2006• Retirement of WebCT 4.1 in May 2007• 2-Node Cluster Behind a PIX

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FIRST KICK AT THE CAN

• 2005 11 – Stand Alone CE6– Started Installation in August– Multiple Problems Encountered– Numerous Delays

• 2006 12 – DECISION: Training Required• 2006 01 – On-site Training Session

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AN ABOUT FACE

• Training Discoveries:– Performance Degradation after 500 per node– Rule of Thumb: 5% of FTE Active

• Conclusion:– Stand Alone Server Inadequate– Plan Implementation of 2-Node Cluster

• 2006 03 – Initiate Cluster Implementation

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ASSEMBLING THE TEAM

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• Groups– Academic Computing– Administrative Computing– Networks & Systems

• Identify Required Skills• Division of Responsibilities• Primary and Backup

TIME LINE• 2005 10 – Start of Implementation• 2006 01 – Decision to Escalate Project• 2006 02 – Training Commences• 2006 02 – Team Roles Decided• 2006 02 – Individuals Identified for Roles• 2006 03 – Routine Meetings Commence• 2006 04 – Cluster Installation / Fine Tune• 2006 05 – Cluster Replaces Stand Alone• 2006 09 – Pilot Production BLS• 2007 01 – Production BLS and WebCT 4.1 Secondary• 2007 05 – Retirement of WebCT 4.1

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OBSERVATIONS

• 50 Piece Puzzle VS 500 Piece Puzzle– Specialized Skills Required

• Inclusive Approach in Team– Sense of Ownership– Appreciation for the Nature of the Application

• On-Going Communications– Crucial to Keep All in the Loop Throughout

• Online Master Plan

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CELEBRATING SUCCESS

• Acknowledge Each Contribution by Name• Invite Continuous Input and Opinion• Act on Recommendations• Gather the Team for Occasional Retreat• Cut a Cake on Project Completion

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SERENDIPITY

• Training Started Early – Feb for Sept• CE 4.1 as Production | CE6 as Pilot in Sept• Internal Support Issues Well Below Expected• Unknown if Cluster Required

– HOWEVER … Redundancy is Always Safe• Required Disk Space High• Faculty Love CE6

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eMail: Phil.OHara@Dal.Ca

Web: ilo.acs.dal.ca

Phone: (902) 494-3456

(800) 263-6232

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