System Requirements
Blackboard requires only a Web browser with Javascript and cookies enabled. Depending on the types of files a user needs to view from Blackboard, various helper applications or plug-ins may be needed. Some of the most common: Microsoft Office applications or viewers, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and RealPlayer. Others that may be needed include QuickTime or FlashPlayer. Again, need for these is completely determined by the types of files the user needs to access, i.e., the file types being uploaded to the user's courses.
For more specific information about operating system and browser recommendations, visit the Blackboard, Inc. end user software recommendations, or Duke's Office of Information Technology list of supported software.
The list of browsers and operating systems compatible with Blackboard is more comprehensive than the list supported by OIT. Generally, OIT recommends that users run the following operating systems and browsers:
- Mac OS 10.3 or above
- Windows XP Professional or 2000
- Internet Explorer 6.x Service Pack 1 (PC), or 7.x*
- Safari 1.x (Mac)
Other combinations are supported and may also work with Blackboard.
* Note: There is a known issue with Internet Explorer 7.x, check out http://blackboard.duke.edu/announcement/known-issues.html
Minimum hardware requirements (from Blackboard, Inc.)
- 64 MB RAM
- 1 GB disk space
- 56K modem
Availability of Compatible Computers
For locations of publicly available campus computers that can run Blackboard, look for Windows and Macintosh designations in Academic Technology Services' list of Computer Labs.
For recommendations on purchasing a computer, see the Office of Information Technology's Personal Computer Recommendations.
Version Information
Blackboard version 6.3 is currently used at Duke. For information about some of the lastest features in Blackboard 6.3, see What's New in Bb 6.3
Server and Database Information
Server specifications
Duke runs Blackboard 6.3 on three servers. Two front-end application servers run the Apache web server and the Blackboard application in a load-balanced arrangement (Sun Fire V480 running Solaris 9 with 4 900 Mhz processors and 8 GB RAM, Sun 220R running Solaris 9 with 2 450 Mhz processors and 2 GB RAM). The Virtual Classroom (chat) application runs on one of the two application servers (V480). A third server hosts the Blackboard database (Sun Fire V480 running Solaris 9 and Oracle 9i, with 4 900 Mhz processors and 8 GB RAM). The database server is connected to a large disk array (Shark) for database and flat file storage.
Database backup strategy
Duke maintains a standby copy of the Blackboard database that is updated hourly. The database undergoes a "hot" backup each morning at approximately 3 a.m.