Information Services has completed the upgrade of the Blackboard servers half a day early, and the system is now available. Please report questions, concerns, or issues to blackboard@richmond.edu .
Author: Fred Page 7 of 10
[UPDATE: The upgrade has been completed and UR Blackboard is now available at http://blackboard.richmond.edu ]
The UR Blackboard system is currently unavailable for upgrades to the system. The procedure is scheduled for August 10-12
In part, the maintenance will upgrade Blackboard from version 8 to version 9.1, giving it a different look and adding features. For example, instructors will no longer need the course control panel to manage their classes, and there will be new features available such as course blogs and wikis. The university community is encouraged to visit the Blackboard Resources Page for training materials and support information. Updates of the Blackboard upgrade and system availability will be posted to this UR Blackboard news site.
Play-by-play: (Aug 12, noon) The go-ahead has been given and IS is in the process of bringing the new server onto the network. (Aug 12, 9:30) Testing has completed earlier than scheduled and the upgrade team is being solicited for a go/no-go status on going live almost a day early! (Aug 11, 11am) Testing is continuing on schedule! (Aug 10, 6:30pm) The Blackboard application has been upgraded and the testing is now beginning. (Aug 10, 3pm) the new servers have received the content from the old system and the Blackboard software is now being upgraded. The upgrade is actually a multi-step process as the application needs to “pass through” a number of minor version upgrades (including testing) before arriving at the final version, 9.1 Service Pack 1. After that is completed, there will be customization of new features and then we will begin intensive testing of the application from both the roles of instructors and students. (aug 10, 7am) the Blackboard servers have been fully backed up and the content is being transferred to the new physical servers that had been prepared and tested before the upgrade began. Once that has completed, the Blackboard software will then be upgraded.
Please note that Blackboard will be unavailable August 10-12 as Information Services will perform upgrades to the system. Instructors can request and organize fall term classes now – more than 300 fall courses have already been requested.
When the system is available again on August 13, it will have a different look. Most notably, course instructors will no longer have to go to the control panel to manage their classes: all course management options will be found in the menus on the left side of every page.
The new version also comes with added features, including course blogs and wikis. Enhancements have also been made to discussion boards and the grade center. Did you know that 45% of Blackboard courses at Richmond use the grade center?
Faculty and course support personnel are welcome to attend a Blackboard workshop by registering at http://cygnet.richmond.edu/events/fall2010workshops/ . Also, faculty may wish to visit the Blackboard support page at http://is.richmond.edu/academic/blackboard.html to view the short video tutorials and other materials. Lastly, faculty can send an email to blackboard@richmond.edu, or call the UR Blackboard support number at 804-287-6860.
On Friday August 6, 2010, all servers in the UR data center will be shut down starting at noon. This includes Banner, Blackboard, e-mail, R25 calendar, and all remaining services. All services will be operational by 6:00 AM on Saturday August 7.
If you need status information, you may call 287-1234 for the latest update on the data center maintenance exercise.
The send e-mail feature within the Blackboard system is again operational, and there are no anticipated future outages.
Please contact blackboard AT richmond DOT edu with any questions about this outage or other Blackboard needs.
Thank you for your patience.