CX Server Hardware Upgrade Frequently Asked Questions
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- Why is Webster upgrading the Jenzebar CX (CARS) server Hardware?
- Why did Webster choose to upgrade now?
- How will the upgrade affect my work?
- What about CX availability? Are there any outages planned during the upgrade?
- What key dates are associated with the upgrade?
- How will we test the new server hardware?
- What is meant by the "Stabilization Period"?
- How long will it last?
- Can I request changes during the Stabilization Period?
- Can new users be added to CX during the Stabilization Period?
Why is Webster upgrading the Jenzebar CX (CARS) server Hardware?
Webster has initiated a project to analyze the University's needs for an Enterprise Resource Management (ERP) system that will provide Financial, Student Services, Registration, Academic Records, Financial Aid and other solutions and will assist in fulfilling its vision, but the project is expected to take approximately two years. The current CX hardware infrastructure is over eight years old. It is overdue for replacement and at risk for system failure. We cannot wait any longer. The hardware chosen for the upgrade utilizes newer, Itanium processor technology and will provide a more reliable and optimized infrastructure.
Why did Webster choose to upgrade now?
The server upgrade is critical, but finding an ideal time in the life of the University to complete it is never easy. The proposed time line has been selected to mitigate risks associated with year-end maintenance upgrades and year-end processing needs.
How will the upgrade affect my work?
You will be able to use CX for regular business transactions, such as to view screens and run or write reports with current fields, until the weekend of the server hardware upgrade in early November. However, before and after the server upgrade, requests to change to the application code will be restricted, as Webster institutes a Stabilization Period to ensure data integrity and minimize system risk.
Regular transactions:
- Viewing screens
- Running CX processes such as adding new students/faculty/staff, registration, financial aid, bursar, etc.
- Running reports (WPVI, Impromptu, Cognos, reports available on menu)
- Modifying existing or writing new reports (WPVI, Impromptu, Cognos) using only available fields
What about CX availability? Are there any outages planned during the upgrade?
CX is scheduled to be unavailable:
- Saturday, September 29, 2012 8:00-11:00 pm (CT). IT will copy data in the current CX database and import it to the new hardware environment for testing.
- Friday, November 2, 2012 10:00 pm (CT) through Sunday, November 4 until early Monday morning. All databases in the current CX system will be copied and imported to the new server hardware environment. The upgraded environment will be put into production and become the new, working environment.
How will we test the new server hardware?
As with any major system upgrade, comprehensive test planning and execution are essential. Testing the CX hardware upgrade will include system testing and end-user acceptance testing. End-user testing will be a collaboration of Information Technology and the community of Webster CX users and will focus on existing University CX test plans. Two weeks are planned for end-user testing.
What is meant by the "Stabilization Period"?
The new server hardware utilizes newer, Itanium computer processor technology, and therefore, requires that the CX application code be recompiled. To ensure data integrity and minimize risks associated with such an upgrade, changes to the CX application code will be restricted during the Stabilization Period.
It is scheduled from September 17 through November 16, pending testing outcomes. These dates were chosen to provide two weeks before CX data is migrated (copied) to the new server hardware so as to minimize unexpected problems with associated SMO and application changes and two weeks after the final data migration to isolate any problems with the application code. An additional Stabilization Period will be necessary between November 27 and December 7 to install SMO 12925, a CX software upgrade that provides technical pre-requisites necessary for year-end processing maintenance updates (SMOs).
Can I request changes during the Stabilization Period?
Only requests to correct significant errors, achieve compliance, or meet other mission-critical objectives will be considered. Such requests will be subject to a strict change control process that will balance the risk to the upgrade against the risk to the business and will require the express approval of the CIO and the PMO Governance team. Instructions to engage the change control process will be provided in future communications.
Can new users be added to CX during the Stabilization Period?
New CX users can be added during the Stabilization Period. As they are added to the current CX system, Information Technology personnel will manually add them to the new CX environment, keeping both sets of users in sync.
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