Fall 2004 Message 3

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September 10, 2004

Blackboard System Status

UT Austin experienced a significant change in Blackboard usage as fall semester began. Within the first week of classes, Information Technology Services (ITS) doubled the server capacity and more servers are on order to meet future demands. A detailed explanation of the work being done on Blackboard is available at:
http://www.utexas.edu/its/blackboard/progress.html

Blackboard Usage

Within the first twelve class days, over 41,000 people have logged into Blackboard. But we are also seeing changes in the ways the system is used, putting more and different demands on servers, and would appreciate your assistance in letting us know how you are using Blackboard for your classes. Your responses to the following questions will help us meet your needs.

1. How has your usage of Blackboard changed this semester (for example, increased percentage of in-class/out-of-class time spent online, more synchronous applications such as chat or online quizzing/surveying, larger files for students to download either in-class or out-of-class, video/audio files, etc.)?

2. There have been five times this semester when usage peaked to the point that the servers could not keep up with demand:
Thursday, August 26th beginning around 4:15 pm with peak at 5 pm
Tuesday, August 31st beginning around 4:25 pm
Friday, September 3rd beginning around 12:20 pm
Tuesday, September 7th beginning at 6:00 pm
Wednesday, September 8th beginning at 3:15 pm

It appears that some features being used within Blackboard at these times were overwhelming the system. If you were using (or trying to use) Blackboard during these times for your class, would you please let us know what functions you and your students needed to perform?

If you have an event scheduled which will have a large number of people logging in at the same time, let us know so that ITS can gather a more complete picture of server performance while the activities are occurring.

Thank you for your help...carolyn
--
Carolyn Thomas
MAI 2201:: 512.232.1770
DIIA
University of Texas at Austin
http://www.utexas.edu/academic/diia/

Additional Blackboard Information:
Usage chart:
https://webspace.utexas.edu/cdwikoff/blackboard/BbUsageChart.jpg
Previous messages:
http://www.utexas.edu/academic/blackboard/news/announcements.html
Detailed server stats: http://courses.utexas.edu/utexas/stats/