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Understanding where and how to integrate with Blackboard products (Vista and CE licenses)
Added by George Kroner, last edited by George Kroner on 01 Nov 2007 10:08 AM
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Blackboard PowerLinks give software developers the ability to integrate third-party applications with their learning system and to create custom applications that access Vista/CE functionality.

This tutorial examines the main areas in which integration with Vista and CE products is possible using PowerLinks technology.
Tutorial Contents

System Integration

The System Integration Framework allows software developers to build adapters that support batch and real-time transfer of enterprise data between Vista and CE products and third-party applications. To move data between the third-party application and Vista and CE products, developers create a deployable component jar library that is installed on each application server.

User Authentication

The Authentication Framework allows software developers to create authentication modules to support single signon authentication between Vista and CE products and third-party applications. These modules are deployed on each application server in the same way that system integration PowerLinks are installed.

There are three types of authentication modules:

  • Inbound authentication modules authenticate users who have already logged in to a third-party application. Once authenticated, users can access secure areas inside Vista and CE products (depending on their permissions) without having to manually enter their user name and password.
  • Outbound authentication modules are used to provide authenticated users with access to secure areas inside third-party applications. When a user activates a proxy tool hyperlink in a course, a request is sent to an outbound authentication module, which authenticates the user according to the third-party application's authentication protocol and then redirects the user to the third-party application.
  • Duplex authentication modules provide both inbound and outbound authentication services.

Web Services

Software developers can use Vista and CE web services to programmatically access and manipulate various functionality including:

  • Context
  • Announcement
  • Assessment
  • Calendar
  • File Manager
  • Gradebook
  • Mail

Developers can choose to access these web services from any application or language that supports web services technology. The functionality of these web services can then be utilized inside of any other application.

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