uPortal.Cornell
Using uPortal to integrate disparate campus systems
Jon Atherton, Cornell Information [email protected]
Outline
Infrastructure Where we started The Vision Implementation goals A New Face Where we are heading
The Infrastructure
Authentication (Kerberos) Kclient SideCar CUWebAuth
Authorization (Permit server) Software Distribution (Project Salsa) Directory (LDAP)
Where we started
Bear Access CUinfo Dozens of web sites Legacy applications Single Sign-on in place PeopleSoft 8 Blackboard
Roles Maintain Framework (CIT)
Bear Access uPortal
Content Publisher (CIT) Packaging & Delivery group
Content/Service Providers (Campus wide) Library - Campus Store Registrar - CIT
The Vision Improve access to current & relevant
information Create the next generation enterprise
point of entry Bear Access CUinfo
Maintain current roles
Implementation goals Leverage existing infrastructure
Authentication (Kerberos single sign on) Authorization (permit service) Software distribution (Project Salsa) Directory (LDAP)
Deliver Existing Services Minimal modifications to uPortal source
uPortal.Cornell
Single Enterprise point of entry Integrate existing services Window into larger applications Aggregate resources Pull in external resources Personalized & Customizable
Putting on a new face
Bear Access First released in
1992 Deployed to all staff,
students & faculty Provides software
distribution Access to licensed
software Limited
customizability
Bear Access channel Jsp based
CWebProxy channel Can display content
based on group (permit) membership
Provides software distribution capability
User customizable
CUinfo Originally a
terminal based mainframe app
Then became a gopher site
Currently is an Index to web sites
Also contains Web apps
CUinfo Browser channel CWebProxy
channel Hierarchical menu
of CUinfo content
Student Jobs Web application
written in REXX accessing mainframe content using proprietary protocol
Student job listings channel
Jsp based CWebProxy channel
New interface to existing back-end application
Permit maintenance page Web pages used
to maintain permit groups
Difficult to use
Group maintenance channel
New interface, allowed non-techies to maintain permit groups
Contains most of the functionality of web pages
Administrative Services channel
Provides access to PeopleSoft 8
Based on LaunchPad channel
Library Gateway channel
Hosted by Library Provides same
access as “Library Gateway” web site.
CERT Advisories channel .rss channel
provided by CERT
Employee Essentials Currently exists
as a web app Reads from
database Updates to
Peoplesoft via WebMethods and PS8 component interface
More about … Employee
Essentials Collaborative effort
between CIT and HR CIT built data access
components as jsp’s HR built web app
using jsp’s Components have
been reused in other apps
webMethods Integration broker Enables disparate
systems to share information in a common manner
Central control and storage point that mediates events to and from applications
New EE channel
See demo
Currently prototyping
Will be joint effort again
This time CIT will write Web Services (SOAP) to access appropriate data
HR is developing using Cold Fusion
Where we are going
Roles Maintain Framework (CIT)
Bear Access uPortal
Content Publisher (CIT) Packaging & Delivery group
Content/Service Providers (Campus wide) Library - Campus Store Registrar - CIT
Evolving Roles
Maintain Framework (CIT/Infrastructure) uPortal upgrades Develop new infrastructure channels
Content Publisher (CIT/Packaging & Delivery) Coordinate between content/service
providers and infrastructure group Content/Service Providers (Campus wide)
Content Working Group
Demo Bear Access uPortal.Cornell
Bear Access CUinfo Browser Student Jobs Group Maintenance Library Gateway CERT Advisories Administrative Services
http://guest.uportal.cornell.edu