Blackboard Learn connects to cloud services using parameters specified in Cloud Management. These parameters set up a secure communication link between Blackboard Learn and any available cloud services by uniquely identifying this Blackboard Learn instance.
Cloud services include:
- Software Updates, which enables you to access and install updates to Blackboard Learn through the Administrator Panel.
Connect to the cloud
The cloud must be connected to your Blackboard Learn instance. On the Administrator Panel in the Cloud Management section, select Cloud Connector. The following table describes the available user interface elements.
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Blackboard Learn Instance | |
| External URL | Provide your school's Blackboard Learn public facing URL. |
| Display Name | Provide a display name to identify your school, such as your school's full name. |
| Description | Provide an optional description for this Blackboard Learn instance. |
| Instance Type | Identify how this Blackboard Learn instance will be used in your environment. Select Development, Stage, or Test.
If you want to move to the production cloud, select Move to Production. The URL must be valid to move to the production cloud. |
| Site ID | A unique Site ID is assigned to your Blackboard Learn instance after it is registered. |
| Regional Cloud | Regional Cloud configuration is required to enable Blackboard Cloud regional tools. Based on your region, some Learn features may not be available. Your institution is responsible for compliance with any applicable local laws regarding data locality.
This is a one-time selection and can't be undone. If you don't see your region listed or you have any questions, please contact Blackboard Client Support before making a selection. |
| Cloud Connection Status | |
| Save Settings | Select this button if you are ready to submit your setting changes. |
| Move to Production | Select this button if you want to move this instance to the production cloud. You must have a valid URL to move to the production cloud.
If you move this instance to the production cloud, all cloud data will be deleted and this instance will be pointed to the cloud production servers. |
It is important that you verify that the External URL is a publicly accessible URL for this Learn instance. It is also important that you verify that the page displays the following success message: "This instance of Blackboard Learn has been successfully connected to the cloud." If you see a warning or error message instead, contact Blackboard Client Support to have this problem corrected.
Instance type
There are two instance types: production and non-production, which includes Stage, Test and Development.
By default the cloud connector page points to non-production servers. A watermark appears in the interface on all cloud features indicating that this instance is in non-production.
You can move your instance to point to the production servers. From the Cloud Connector page, select Move to Production. When an instance is moved from non-production to production all data on the non-production servers is deleted and will need to be recreated on the production servers.
After the instance points to the production servers you cannot move back to the non-production servers. The only way to move to non-production is by cloning your machine or by using client support.
Check that the Instance Type is set correctly before upgrading.
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Any Learn instances set to Stage, Test, or Development will be moved to NEW cloud servers and will lose all of their current data. Production instances will continue to operate in the current cloud.
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If the Learn instance is a Production system AND the Learn Instance Type is set to Production, your cloud settings are configured properly and no further action is needed.
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If the Learn instance is a Production system but the Learn Instance Type is set to Test, Stage, or Development, you must change the Instance Type to Production before updating your system with the April version of Software Updates. If this step is not performed, users will no longer have access to their data after the update.
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If the Learn instance is a Test, Stage, or Development system but the Learn Instance Type is set to Production, you should change the Instance Type to Test, Stage, or Development to avoid polluting your production cloud environment with test data after the update.
If you need help setting up your Cloud Connector, contact Blackboard Client Support.
Detect cloned cloud settings
Blackboard Learn detects any cloned cloud settings and is turned off until this is resolved.
Make the appropriate selection:
- Cancel
- Retry : Try to reconnect with the cloud incase network issues were resolved.
- If in staging, select Create New Site to create a new site. This will delete the current cloud data and will need to be created on the new stage site.
- If in production, select Move to Non-Production to move to staging. This will delete the data on the production servers, which will need to be recreated on the staging servers.
Troubleshoot the cloud connection
The More Information button appears on the Administrator Panel in the Software Updates section when a cloud connection registration issue exists, along with the following message, "There is a conflict with the Cloud Connection Settings. Select this button to resolve the settings to register your Learn instance to the cloud." Select More Information to access the Confirmation for Cloud Connection Settings page and make changes to resolve the issue.
Manage cloud settings
The Cloud must be connected to your Blackboard Learn instance. The "Cloud Settings (Tools)" administrator privilege allows you to manage your Cloud Settings.
On the Administrator Panel in the Cloud Management section, select Cloud Settings. The following table describes the available user interface elements.
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Course and Organization Name Usage | |
Identify how course and organization names will be displayed in the cloud service and tools.
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| 2. Submit | |
| Submit | Select this button if you are ready to submit your setting changes. |
