From j-snell@tamu.edu Fri Sep 12 18:35:59 2003 Subject: WebCT Standard Edition Update Dear WebCT Designers, I would like to provide an update on what is being done to address the current performance problems with WebCT Standard Edition and let you know that I share your frustration. The Fall 2003 WebCT performance has been plagued by capacity loads on a server that was to be replaced at the end of the summer semester with a new server with increased CPU performance and more memory. To compound the problem, the TAMU network has had performance compromised by continued network "worms" that flood the network and essentially cause network gridlock. The current WebCT Standard Edition server was scheduled to be replaced at the end of the summer semester. A mistake in ordering caused a delay in the connectors needed to connect the new server to the disk storage that holds all the WebCT data. The connectors arrived this week and the new server is being setup, configured and throughly tested prior to replacing the current server. Replacing a server at this point in the semester is not good practice, but neither are the alternatives. The new server will not be brought on-line until it has been throughly tested to provide a high level of assurance that the change over will go smoothly. It is my hope that the server will be ready to go into production sometime within the coming week. A notice will be posted on webct.tamu.edu when the new server is to go into production. I appreciate all the patience that each of you have exhibited during the stressful beginning of this semester. Regards, Jim Snell J. R. Snell, DVM, MS Director, Instructional Technology Services Senior Lecturer, Veterinary Anatomy and Public Health Texas A&M University 004 Heldenfels, 3002 TAMU College Station, Texas 77843-3002 phone: 979.862.3977 fax: 979.458.0514 j-snell@tamu.edu