Overview
The SS&E Connect Server facilitates the data integration between an institution’s SIS and SS&E, by sending the data files via SFTP to the Watermark SS&E environment. See more information on the SIS Integration data flow here: SIS Data Import Process and Infrastructure Summary.
If your institution needs to upgrade the Connect Server OS, migrate the server to the cloud or another location, or make any similar changes, please request a Small Technical Project from the Watermark Academy to work with Watermark Technical Services on the transition. Subscription Services credits can be used for this project. Please reach out to your CSM with any questions about Subscription Services credits.
Once the project is requested, the Technical Services team will reach out to schedule the project based on Watermark Resources and your institution’s transition timeline.
Connect Server Upgrade/Migration Process
- Institutional IT should set up the new server to the specifications in this article : Connect Overview and Infrastructure Requirements
- Once the server is set up, Watermark Technical Services will need access to the server as the local admin/service account user via direct connection (e.g. VPN/RDP/VDI) or via screen share with an Institutional IT team member.
- The Watermark team will install and test Connect/Accelerate to ensure that the data integration is successful.
- Once Connect/Accelerate is running on the new server, the Connect2 task may be disabled on the old server (by Watermark or Institution) and the server may be decommissioned by the institution.
In-Place Upgrades
In-place OS upgrades may be attempted but cannot be guaranteed to work seamlessly and without interruptions in the data integration. The Watermark team can help an institution to verify that Connect is running correctly after an in-place upgrade, but there is a chance that the in-place upgrade is not seamless and that a new server may still be needed.
If possible, Watermark recommends that a new server be created, configured, and tested following the Process outlined above prior to the old server being decommissioned to avoid interruptions.