Ellucian Banner Integration

Coursedog Support

Modified on: Mon, Dec 4, 2023 at 1:41 PM

Table of Contents

Overview

Coursedog supports a real-time integration with Banner for both scheduling and curriculum data.
Coursedog is an Ellucian Partner and supports a validated integration.
There are two integration pathways: Direct Database (Oracle) and Ellucian Ethos APIs.
Coursedog has successfully deployed this integration with Banner On Premise deployments as well as Ellucian Hosted and Ellucian Cloud deployments. All solutions are built to follow Ellucian designation best practice standards around architecture and security.
Solutions are compatible with Banner 9.x and backwards compatible for 8.x.
All data exchanges are handled through REST APIs that are exposed through our middleware.
The direct query model is Database Extension Utility (DBEU) compliant and does not require modifications to delivered Banner APIs.

Coursedog has a pre-built package of SQL for bidirectional integration ready to deploy to your environment.
Direct database queries are the backbone of most integrations to Banner and allow controlled direct access to data regardless of the level of customization.
Coursedog will handle the Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) data mapping work once the data is pulled from Banner.

See Banner Direct Integration Specifications for a list of fields and objects that are currently supported for Banner Direct.
If a field or object is in the spreadsheet linked above (anywhere other than the “Not Supported” tab), that means the integration can support it. If you wish to do less, you can. However, if you want to do something beyond what is documented, then that would be considered a custom integration and will require scoping.

Direct Database Query is the best fit for institutions that:

Are not currently Ethos enabled.
Have highly customized data structures (customizations to the data structures may require extensions).

Simplicity – Does not require an upgrade (Ethos).
Security – You have full control of who has access to each table and run the client scripts.
Flexibility – IT staff will likely have the expertise to help close any gaps due to customizations.

May not be the long-term vision of your IT staff (See Ethos).
Shared Support Model – Support responsibility is shared given the need for a local client.
Client IT staff may not have expertise or resources to assist with the deployment.

Coursedog assumes you meet the following minimum requirements:

Banner 9.
Institution is using corresponding baseline Banner processes and data structures (e.g. Course Scheduling, Course and Program inventory). The Institution is responsible for meeting the needs of their specific environment.
Ability to whitelist IPs as needed for Test and Production. Coursedog supports an industry standard transfer protocol for both approaches. Coursedog will install a lightweight client that will pull the information from your database and expose the information externally via SSL/HTTPS. All transmissions will be handled over SSL so no need for you to open any additional ports (443).
Docker installed for Non Ethos integration.

Coursedog commonly partners with N2N for the SIS API integration and requires Docker for a streamlined installation process (See N2N Docker Requirements for on-premise solutions).

Ellucian Ethos is another integration pathway for Banner. It offers a unified data model across all platforms built on Open standards (REST, JSON).
Coursedog is a trusted Ellucian Partner and boasts an Ethos validated solution.

See Banner Ethos Integration Specifications for a list of fields and objects that are currently supported for Banner Ethos.
If a field or object is in the spreadsheet linked above (anywhere other than the “Not Supported” tab), that means the integration can support it. If you wish to do less, you can. However, if you want to do something beyond what is documented, then that would be considered a custom integration and will require scoping.

Ethos is the best fit for institutions who:

Currently use Ethos APIs to expose data externally.
Have minimal Banner data structure customizations.
Have updated system configurations (e.g. Banner 9).
Have IT staff available to install any extensions necessary to close gaps due to customizations.

Modern standards based (REST, JSON) approach to expose your data.
Ellucian-supported solution that is under active development.
Security is consistent with Ellucian and industry standards.
Flexible to your needs. IT staff will likely have the expertise to help close any gaps due to customizations (see Ethos extensions).

Requires that your institution already has Ethos deployed.
IT staff are required to have expertise/resources to perform upgrades.
Ethos extensions may be required.
IT staff must have expertise or availability to install extensions (if necessary)

Coursedog assumes you meet the following minimum requirements:

Banner 9.
Institution is using corresponding baseline Banner processes and data structures (e.g. Course Scheduling, Course and Program inventory). The Institution is responsible for meeting the needs of their specific environment.
Ability to whitelist IPs as needed for Test and Production. Coursedog supports an industry standard transfer protocol for both approaches.

See the Banner Ethos installation guide (attached below) for a list of required resources.

Direct Database access has improved field-by-field capability, and because of this, Banner Direct is typically recommended as the integration method.
For Banner SaaS institutions, Direct Database integration is still permitted; speak to your Ellucian partner representative and indicate your partnership with Coursedog.