Platform Architecture and Features for Thin-Client Application and Tool Delivery and Integration in Internet
Based Distance Education
Samuel Conn, Asst. ProfessorRegis University MSCIT ProgramDenver, ColoradoISECON 2002November 3, 2002
Agenda
Introduction Problem Definition Three Part Solution Architectures & Technologies Next Stage of Evolution
Introduction
Regis University in Denver, Colorado MSCIT program areas of emphasis in Database Technology, Network Engineering, e-Commerce, and Software Engineering
Problem Definition Maintenance &
support of lab environment
Lab environment for distance education students
Integration of lab environment with content delivery
Three Part Solution Merge classroom
based courses & online courses into one “virtual lab” or v-Lab environment.
Create global delivery system for virtual lab that works with content delivery
Utilize graduate students as a resource to support and maintain the platform via an Information Systems Practicum
Selection of thin-client technology
OS Independent Small footprint client Emulation via pixel streaming Success at low bandwidth Server side administration Expansion to portal technologies Affordable
Citrix Independent Computing Architecture (ICA)
Network evolution
LAN LAN LAN
LAN LAN LAN
WAN
?
Internet
Citrix Server(s)
Oracle ServersApplication Servers
Storage Arrays
Simplified Diagram“ARN Architecture”
Network Operations Center (NOC)Lowell Campus
Distance Education Studentat Home
Distance Education Studentat Work
Land-based MSCITStudent on Campus
Land-based MSCITStudent at Home
Land-based MSCITStudent at Work
ARN Administrators
Faculty & SPS Users
Academic Research Network(Virtual) V-Lab environment
Support Model
Student PracticumsDatabase and Network Engineering
•6 months in length•Graduate Student Capstone•Support for infrastructure•Support for virtual lab•Support for applications•Support for Oracle accounts
DenverLos Angeles Student
Frankfurt, Germany Student DBA
Logs
Sup
port
Reque
st
Resolves Problem
Service Restored
Student logon
Student portal interface
Content delivery system & virtual lab merged environment
Student toggles between environments
Portal Integration
ContentSystem
VirtualLab
Services/Applications
CRM
Outlook ExpressWebCTBlackBoardeCollege
DatabaseOS environmentsTools
WorkflowUtilitiesCustom DevLibraries
Student ProfileOutbound directAdministration
MSCIT Portal
MSISPortal
CorpPartners
Collaborative Portals
StudentsFacultyAdministratorsPartners
Partners(Sun, IBM…)
Evolution of e-Learning Platform
ContentDeliverySystem
VirtualLab
PortalIntegration,Workflow& CRM
AudioEnhancementTo Content
VideoEnhancementTo Content
Integration w/External Digital & VirtualKnowledgeBases / ContentRepositories
Academic Infomediary
•Outlook Express(total asynchronous)
•WebCT•BlackBoard•eCollege
•Thin-client technology
•Middleware services•Profile schema•Application SW
•Broadband Backbone•Infrastructure•Managed Bandwidth•QoS•Compression/Streaming Software
•Proxy Services•Enterprise Application Integration•Access Protocols
Technology Migration Path
Academic Delivery Migration Path
Thank you…..
Questions or Comments?
This presentation available atwww.samconn.com/regis/ISECON2002.htm
