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The External Database will be hosted on a single database server. This database will, at one end, allow data to be fed into it from various source systems on campus, and at the other end will provide a database schema readable by Sakai, and formatted to be as efficient as possible in the Sakai structure.
Data will be processed and provided to Sakai via three layers:
- Data Collection: The data to be used in the external database will be collected from the various source systems. Data can be collected in the form of:
- Oracle Materialized Views
- Direct Database-Linked Views
- Procedural Feeds into Local Tables
- Locally Managed Tables
- Data Integration: The collected data is coalesced into homogenous data views. These views are resposible for converting data to ensure that type and key values are consistent.
- Data Conversion: The collected data views are then converted to present data in a manner consistent with the required Sakai interfaces.
Database
An Oracle database will be used for the Repository. Aside from our institutional core competency, Oracle provides a number of useful mechanisms for aggregating enterprise data. In addition, a number of the campus systems providing data, especially the Banner Student Information System, are Oracle instances as well, allowing the maximum flexibility when sourcing data.
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