Blackboard Learn

Deployment Guide

UPDATED: 11 January 2018

Blackboard Learn

Copyright Notices

Copyright © 2002-2018 KEMP Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. KEMP Technologies and the KEMP
Technologies logo are registered trademarks of KEMP Technologies, Inc.

KEMP Technologies, Inc. reserves all ownership rights for the LoadMaster and KEMP 360 product line
including software and documentation.

Used, under license, U.S. Patent Nos. 6,473,802, 6,374,300, 8,392,563, 8,103,770, 7,831,712, 7,606,912,
7,346,695, 7,287,084 and 6,970,933

Copyright © 2002 - 2018 KEMP Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 2

Blackboard Learn

Table of Contents

1 Introduction 4

1.1 Document Purpose 4

1.2 Intended Audience 4

1.3 Prerequisites 4

2 Template 5

3 Load Balancing Blackboard Learn™ 6

3.1 Configure the LoadMaster 7

3.1.1 Configure Global Settings 7

3.1.1.1 L7 Configuration 7

3.1.1.2 Enable Subnet Originating Requests Globally 8

3.1.2 Configure a Content Rule for the HTTPS Virtual Service 9

3.1.3 Configure the Virtual Services 9

3.1.3.1 Configure a HTTP Virtual Service 9

3.1.3.2 Configure a HTTPS Virtual Service 11

References 15

Last Updated Date 16

Copyright © 2002 - 2018 KEMP Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 3

Blackboard Learn
1 Introduction

1 Introduction
Blackboard Learn™ is a Learning Management System (LMS) developed by Blackboard Inc. It is web-
based server software which features course management, customizable open architecture and scalable
design that allows integration with student information systems and authentication protocols. Its main
purpose is to add online elements to courses which are traditionally delivered face-to-face and develop
completely online courses with little or no face-to-face meetings.

To improve performance and provide High Availability (HA), Blackboard Learn™ supports using a
hardware or software load balancer and multiple application servers. The KEMP LoadMaster can be used
to load balance Blackboard Learn™ traffic.

1.1 Document Purpose

The purpose of this document is to describe how to configure the LoadMaster to load balance
Blackboard Learn™. This document is based on Blackboard Learn 9.1 SP8. KEMP supports other versions
of Learn, but there may be some features that do not work with older versions of Learn.

1.2 Intended Audience

This document is intended to be used by anyone who is interested in finding out how to configure the
LoadMaster to load balance Blackboard Learn™.

1.3 Prerequisites
The following prerequisites must be satisfied before configuring the LoadMaster to work with Blackboard
Learn™:

The Blackboard Learn™ application must be deployed and successfully tested

The Application Servers must have the relevant JDK and JRE installed.

A Microsoft SQL Server must be installed

For additional information about the prerequisites, please refer to the Blackboard Learn, Installation
Guide.

Copyright © 2002 - 2018 KEMP Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 4

Blackboard Learn
2 Template

2 Template
KEMP has developed a template containing our recommended settings for this workload. You can install
this template to help when creating Virtual Services, as it automatically populates the settings. This is
quicker and easier than manually configuring each Virtual Service. If needed, changes can be made to any
of the Virtual Service settings after using the template.

Download released templates from the Templates section on the KEMP documentation page:
http://kemptechnologies.com/documentation.

For more information and steps on how to import and use templates, refer to the Virtual Services and
Templates, Feature Description on the KEMP Documentation Page.

For steps on how to manually add and configure each of the Virtual Services using the recommended
settings, refer to the steps in this document.

Copyright © 2002 - 2018 KEMP Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 5

Blackboard Learn
3 Load Balancing Blackboard Learn™

3 Load Balancing Blackboard Learn™

Copyright © 2002 - 2018 KEMP Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 6

Blackboard Learn
3 Load Balancing Blackboard Learn™

The above diagram depicts a typical load-balanced configuration. Load-balanced configurations include
multiple application servers, a database server (or failover cluster), a file system server and a
collaboration server. A network switch is used to handle communications from the client machines to the
application servers and the collaboration server. A separate switch is used to handle a secure, private
connection between the application servers and the file system and database servers. The database and
file system must be on a secure, private network.

The LoadMaster is primarily used for load balancing and providing HA for the web/application servers
and collaboration servers. The collaboration server can also be optionally load balanced. For more
information on how to load balance the collaboration server, refer to this link:
https://help.blackboard.com/en-us/Learn/9.1_2014_04/Administrator/070_Server_Management_and_
Integrations/Performance_Optimization/Load_Balancing_-_Configuration_and_Best_Practices

The diagram above also shows integration with an LDAP server (or servers) to handle authentication and
a Student Information System (SIS) to share data with Blackboard Learn™.

3.1 Configure the LoadMaster

The following sections describe how to configure the LoadMaster and associated Virtual Services.

3.1.1 Configure Global Settings

The following sections explain how to configure various settings globally.

3.1.1.1 L7 Configuration

The Additional L7 Header field in the LoadMaster must be set to X-Forwarded-For. To do this, follow the
steps below in the LoadMaster Web User Interface (WUI):

1. In the main menu of the WUI, go to System Configuration > Miscellaneous Options > L7
Configuration.

Copyright © 2002 - 2018 KEMP Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 7

Blackboard Learn
3 Load Balancing Blackboard Learn™

2. Select X-Forwarded-For as the Additional L7 Header.

The Blackboard Learn™ server must be configured to look at this header. If you are using IIS, an Internet
Server Application (ISAPI) filter must be used to see the X-Forwarded-For header.

3.1.1.2 Enable Subnet Originating Requests Globally

It is best practice to enable the Subnet Originating Requests option globally.

In a one-armed setup (where the Virtual Service and Real Servers are on the same network/subnet)
Subnet Originating Requests is usually not needed. However, enabling Subnet Originating Requests
should not affect the routing in a one-armed setup.

In a two-armed setup where the Virtual Service is on network/subnet A, for example, and the Real
Servers are on network B - Subnet Originating Requests should be enabled on LoadMasters with
firmware version 7.1-16 and above.

When Subnet Originating Requests is enabled, the LoadMaster will route traffic so that the Real Server
will see traffic arriving from the LoadMaster interface that is in that network/subnet not the Virtual
Service address.

Copyright © 2002 - 2018 KEMP Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 8

Blackboard Learn
3 Load Balancing Blackboard Learn™

When Subnet Originating Requests is enabled globally, it is automatically enabled on all Virtual Services.
If the Subnet Originating Requests option is disabled globally, you can choose whether or not to enable
Subnet Originating Requests on a per-Virtual Service basis.

To enable Subnet Originating Requests globally, follow the steps below:

1. In the main menu of the LoadMaster Web User Interface (WUI), go to System Configuration >
Miscellaneous Options > Network Options.

2. Tick the Subnet Originating Requests check box.

3.1.2 Configure a Content Rule for the HTTPS Virtual Service

To add a content rule, make the following selections:

1. In the main menu, select Rules & Checking > Content Rules.

2. Click the Create New… button.

3. In the Create Rule screen, make the following selections:

- Enter X_Forwarded_Proto as the Rule Name.

- Select Add Header from the Rule Type drop-down list.

- Enter X_Forwarded_Proto in the Header Field to be Added text field.

- Enter https as the Value of Header Field to be Added.

- Click the Create Rule button.

3.1.3 Configure the Virtual Services

Either a HTTP or HTTPS Virtual Service needs to be created and configured in the LoadMaster to load
balance Blackboard Learn™. Refer to the relevant section below for step-by-step instructions on how to
create the relevant Virtual Service.

3.1.3.1 Configure a HTTP Virtual Service

To configure a HTTP Virtual Service, follow the steps below in the LoadMaster WUI:

Copyright © 2002 - 2018 KEMP Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 9

Blackboard Learn
3 Load Balancing Blackboard Learn™

1. In the main menu, select Virtual Services > Add New.

2. Enter a valid IP address in the Virtual Address text box.

3. Enter 80 as the Port.

4. Enter a recognizable Service Name, such as Blackboard Learn HTTP.

5. Click Add this Virtual Service.

6. Expand the Standard Options section.

7. Enter the details shown in the following table:

Section Option Value Comments

Standard
Transparency Disabled
Options
Persistence
Active Cookie
Mode
If the default timeout (3 hours) in
Blackboard Learn™ is increased, the
Timeout 4 Hours
timeout value in the LoadMaster should
be higher.
Cookie name KEMPBBCookie
Scheduling
least connection
Method
Advanced Enable
Enabled
Properties Caching

Copyright © 2002 - 2018 KEMP Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 10

Blackboard Learn
3 Load Balancing Blackboard Learn™

Section Option Value Comments

Maximum
20%
Cache usage
Enable
Enabled
Compression
Add HTTP
X-Forwarded-For (+Via)
Headers
Real Server
Real
Check HTTP Protocol
Servers
Parameters
URL /webapps/portal/healthCheck Click Set URL then click New.

8. Enter the relevant Real Server Address.

This is the address of the backend server.

9. Enter 80 as the Port.

The Port, Forwarding method and Weight values are set by default.
These can be changed by an administrator.

10. Click Add This Real Server.

11. Repeat steps 8 to 10 to add more Real Servers, as needed.

3.1.3.2 Configure a HTTPS Virtual Service

SSL offloading must also be configured on the Blackboard Learn™ servers. To find out how to configure
SSL offloading on the Blackboard Learn™ servers, refer to the following page:

http://library.blackboard.com/ref/df5b20ed-ce8d-4428-a595-a0091b23dda3/Content/_admin_server_
ssl/ssl_about.htm

KEMP only supports SSL offloading on Blackboard Learn version 9.1 SP8
and above.

To configure a HTTPS Virtual Service, follow the steps below in the LoadMaster WUI:

12. In the main menu, select Virtual Services > Add New.

Copyright © 2002 - 2018 KEMP Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 11

Blackboard Learn
3 Load Balancing Blackboard Learn™

13. Enter a valid Virtual Address.

14. Enter 443 as the Port.

15. Enter a recognizable Service Name, for example Blackboard Learn HTTPS.

16. Click Add this Virtual Service.

17. Enter the details shown in the following table:

Section Option Value Comments

SSL
Enabled Selected
Properties
Standard
Transparency Disabled
Options
Persistence
Active Cookie
Mode
If the default timeout (3 hours) in
Blackboard Learn™ is increased, the
Timeout 4 Hours
timeout value in the LoadMaster should
be higher.
Cookie name KEMPBBCookie Click Set Cookie.
Scheduling
least connection
Method
Real Server
Real
Check HTTP Protocol
Servers
Parameters
URL /webapps/portal/healthCheck Click Set URL then click New.

18. Enter the relevant Real Server Address.

Copyright © 2002 - 2018 KEMP Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 12

Blackboard Learn
3 Load Balancing Blackboard Learn™

This is the address of the backend server.

19. Enter 80 as the Port.

The Forwarding method and Weight values are set by default. These
can be changed by an administrator.

20. Click Add This Real Server.

21. Repeat steps 7 to 9 to add any other Real Servers as needed.

22. Expand the Advanced Properties section.

In the Advanced Properties section, make the following selections:

23. Select No VIP Selected from the Port Following drop-down list.

24. Select the Enable Caching check box.

Copyright © 2002 - 2018 KEMP Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 13

Blackboard Learn
3 Load Balancing Blackboard Learn™

25. Add the content rule added in the Configure a Content Rule for the HTTPS Virtual Service
section.

- Click the Show Header Rules button.

- In the Request Rules section, expand the Rule drop-down list.

- Select the X_Forwarded_Proto rule.

- Click Add.

26. Select 20% as the Maximum Cache usage.

27. Select the Enable Compression check box.

28. Select X-Forwarded-For (+Via) from the Add HTTP Headers drop-down list.

29. Click the Add HTTP Redirector button.

30. Expand the Real Servers section.

Copyright © 2002 - 2018 KEMP Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 14

Blackboard Learn
References

References
For further information, refer to the following links:

Blackboard Learn Performance Optimization Guide

http://library.blackboard.com/d/?6692a745-b472-4360-b004-3c69b58c2b44

Blackboard Load Balancer Guidelines

http://library.blackboard.com/ref/df5b20ed-ce8d-4428-a595-a0091b23dda3/Content/_admin_server_
planning/planning_load_balance.htm

Blackboard – About SSL and SSL Choice

http://library.blackboard.com/ref/df5b20ed-ce8d-4428-a595-a0091b23dda3/Content/_admin_server_
ssl/ssl_about.htm

Blackboard – Load Balancing – Configuration and Best Practices

https://help.blackboard.com/en-us/Learn/9.1_2014_04/Administrator/070_Server_Management_and_
Integrations/Performance_Optimization/Load_Balancing_-_Configuration_and_Best_Practices

Blackboard – Set up the Hardware Load Balancer

http://library.blackboard.com/ref/df5b20ed-ce8d-4428-a595-a0091b23dda3/Content/_admin_server_
install/install_load_balancer.htm

Web User Interface (WUI), Configuration Guide

https://support.kemptechnologies.com

Blackboard Learn, Installation Guide

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=blackboard%20learn%209.1%20installation%20guide&source
=web&cd=1&ved=0CBoQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Flibrary.blackboard.com%2Fd%2F%3F6968c5f7-7cb7-
4251-87a0-
d36f2b4c5bf5&ei=gWq8TpSqJcGIgwfgg9SjBw&usg=AFQjCNHnEqRJdrzNJJO8Ss7YVxgaMEwMVw&cad=rja

Virtual Services and Templates, Feature Description

Copyright © 2002 - 2018 KEMP Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 15

Blackboard Learn
Last Updated Date

Last Updated Date

This document was last updated on 11 January 2018.

Copyright © 2002 - 2018 KEMP Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 16