In every release, Blackboard devotes time and resources to make Blackboard Learn run on the latest operating systems, databases, and browsers available, with the goal of creating a system that is more manageable, more stable, and more user friendly.
This topic highlights the major changes to the Supported Technologies and Browsers for this release. For the most up-to-date information, see Blackboard Learn Release 9.1 Q4 2018 Supported Technologies and Browsers and Supported Technologies End User available on the Behind the Blackboard.
In order to more clearly define support statements regarding third-party client technologies, Blackboard no longer classifies support for technologies in terms of 'compatible' or 'certified'. These technologies are now either fully supported or not supported. Supported and unsupported technologies are aligned as closely as possible with third-party vendor support policies.
- Supported: Supported by the vendor and Blackboard.
- Unsupported: Unsupported by the vendor or not supported by Blackboard.
64-bit server configurations
| Application Server / JDK 1.8 | SQL Server 2017 Enterprise & Standard* | Oracle 12cR2 (18c)** | Oracle 11gR2* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Server 2016 | Supported | Supported | Unsupported | Unsupported |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 6 | Supported | Unsupported | Supported | Supported |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 7 (7.5) | Supported | Unsupported | Supported | Supported |
* Server AlwaysOn for SQL Server and RAC configurations for Oracle aren't officially supported.
** Oracle ASO (Advanced Security configuration) isn't supported.
*** Blackboard only supports the installation at the Learn-to-database JDBC layer, not at the database layer. Issues encountered up to the JDBC layer are accepted as support incidents, and escalated and triaged according to standard Product Support procedures. Other issues encountered at the database layer need to be addressed with the database vendor.
Configuration notes
- Sun Solaris application servers are no longer supported.
- We've added support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 7.
Technologies not supported
- SQL Server 2014 and Windows Server 2012
- Solaris on application servers
- Windows 7
Non-English operating systems and databases
Non-English operating systems and databases, such as a Chinese-language version of Oracle, are supported with Blackboard Learn.
High-availability database configurations
It is strongly recommended by Blackboard that for purposes of system management Blackboard Learn be installed on a single instance database. Oracle RAC and Microsoft SQL Server AlwaysOn are high-availability configurations from their respective vendors. If for reasons of institutional policy you must run Blackboard Learn in a RAC or AlwaysOn database configuration you may do so, but Blackboard will only support the installation at the Learn-to-database JDBC layer - not at the database layer. Issues encountered at the JDBC layer will be accepted as support incidents, and escalated and triaged according to standard Product Support procedures. Other issues encountered at the database will have to be addressed with the database vendor. If you are unable to address database issues at the database layer in these configurations, Product Support will recommend switching to a single instance database configuration for continued support.
To learn more about running Blackboard Learn with RAC, see Oracle RAC Support.
Hybrid configurations
Red Hat/Solaris hybrid configurations have not been tested and are not supported.
TLS configuration
Blackboard Learn now only runs over TLS. To learn more, see the TLS Configuration section of Install and Upgrade.
Java platform (Java SE JDK support)
JDK 1.8 is supported, though some older versions (JDK 1.8.0_152 and earlier) may cause the installer to fail due to a vendor issue. Other versions are not currently supported.
JDK11 versions 11.0.10 and higher aren't compatible. We recommend you to use JDK 11.0.9_* versions only.
Blackboard suggests upgrading JDK to prevent installation failures.
- Install JDK 1.8 (.172 or higher) on the apps.
- Set the value in bb-config.properties.
- Verify that JAVA_HOME is set to the newer release before kicking off the install/upgrade.
Minimum system requirements:
- 8GB per Learn application server
- 24GB per Oracle server
Notes:
- This is the minimum JVM memory required to run Blackboard Learn.
- To run the Blackboard database and handle all of its databases, a minimum of 24GB per Oracle server are required.
- If your Blackboard Learn application server and Oracle server run on a standalone server, the minimum requirements are combined (32GB).
Virtualization
VMware® ESX Server (Linux® and Windows®) is the only configuration tested by Blackboard for Release 9.1.
Blackboard supports other virtualization solutions as long as Blackboard and the hypervisor support the guest operating system.
In addition to VMware, Blackboard has experience with Citrix XenServer and Red Hat® Enterprise Linux® Xen.
Supported upgrade paths
Blackboard Product Development certifies upgrades directly from two prior releases:
- 9.1 Q2 2018
- 9.1 Q4 2017
For self-hosted clients on Windows
- If you're upgrading from Q2 2018, no additional specific steps to prepare for Q4 2018.
- If you're upgrading from Q4 2017, application and database upgrades are required. Q4 2018 supports Windows Server 2016 and SQL Server 2017. First upgrade Blackboard Learn, followed by operating system, and then database upgrades.
For self-hosted clients on Linux
Any combination of the supported technologies is supported, so administrators can choose whether OS or database updates are also applied during upgrade. Blackboard specifically tested these configurations:
- RHEL 6 with Oracle 11gR2
- RHEL 7.5 with Oracle 12cR2
Other combinations, including 12cR1, may be compatible. Any upgrade sequence is possible, although a sequence of OS, database, then Blackboard Learn application upgrade is recommended.
