Blackboard Emergency Service Interruption – May 6, 12:30am
For the last several days, we have experienced brief interruptions in access to some key University applications including Blackboard, portions of the VCU web site and network folders. Given that this is the end of the semester, we recognize that this is an inopportune time for these systems to be down at all.
We have traced the cause of the problem to a software bug in the data storage system that serves these applications. We have been working with our storage vendor on a solution to the problem and need to apply a fix as soon as possible to stabilize access to key systems during the exam and grading period.
We will be applying a temporary software patch during an emergency maintenance window from 12:30 am – 4:00 am tonight. There will be a brief loss of access (up to 30 minutes) to Blackboard, portions of the VCU web and network folders at 12:30 am and possibly again at the end of the maintenance window. We will need to schedule a second maintenance window to complete other upgrades related to this software issue. This work needs to be coordinated with the vendor and will be scheduled at off hours.
We are trying to minimize disruption to you during this critical time of the semester and are sorry for any inconvenience. If you have any questions, please contact the VCU helpIT Center at 804-828-2227 or [email protected]. We will also post the status of the emergency work at the Technology Services Alert blog: http://www.ts.vcu.edu/index.html