1. 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

2. JOIN PHIL ONLINE Like an adventure? Join me online at: dal.wimba.com Run the Wizard Login with: –Upper Dialogue –Any Name Enter the room titled: Bb World Road Trip 2

3. 3 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.

4. 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 4

5. 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 5

6. 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 6

7. ASSEMBLING THE TEAM 7 Groups –Academic Computing –Administrative Computing –Networks & Systems Identify Required Skills Division of Responsibilities Primary and Backup

8. 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 8

9. 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 9

10. 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 10

11. 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 11

12. 12 Want More? To view my resources and references for this presentation, visit www.scholar.com phyloSimply click “Advanced Search” and search by phylo and tag: ‘bbworld07’ eMail:Phil.OHara@Dal.Ca Web:ilo.acs.dal.ca Phone:(902) 494-3456 (800) 263-6232 Fax:(902) 494-2063