[sakai2-tcc] Status of Websphere/DB2 support for 2.8.0

[Jean-Francois Leveque]

There is still code related to MSSQL, Derby or PostgreSQL in several 
places. Found it when looking for DB2.

Should we audit this too?

cheers,
J-F

Steve Swinsburg a écrit :
> May I propose a modified 3 for the WAS module? Remove from 2.8 since we 
> don't have time to address it before the release, but leave it in trunk 
> until such time as IBM respond either way. If their response is 
> negative, drop it from trunk back to contrib.
> 
> The DB2 issue is separate and if we already have confirmation that 
> support for it is not going to continue, then it should be removed 
> immediately, much like the MSSQL have been.
> 
> cheers,
> Steve
> 
> 
> On 10/03/2011, at 11:05 PM, Anthony Whyte wrote:
> 
>> Currently the DB2 conversion scripts are incomplete.  In addition, 
>> Earle Nietzel of Marist, mentioned in an email on the dev list a 
>> couple of weeks ago that "IBM WebSphere support is not going past 
>> 2.6.x and should probably not be used since bugs will not be fixed."
>>
>> I wrote Howard Baker at IBM and requested clarification regarding 
>> IBM's current commitment regarding Sakai CLE Websphere/DB2 support. 
>>  He replied that he is "working with the higher ed strategy team 
>> within IBM to determine what our focus should be for Sakai in 2011.  I 
>> should have a better idea in about a month. At that point I will be 
>> able to give you a more definitive answer. Right now our focus is on 
>> resolving some issues with Sakai 2.7.1 and the IBM JDK/JRE."  
>>
>> Unfortunately, resolution of the question will occur only after the 
>> expected release of sakai-2.8.0 on 31 March 2010.  This means that at 
>> present the sakai-2.8.0 WAS module and it's companion DB2 conversion 
>> script are unsupported.  Presently, given the state of the DB2 
>> conversion script, no one can perform a successful DB2 upgrade from 
>> 2.7.1 to 2.8.0
>>
>> The situation is mitigated somewhat by the absence of any known Sakai 
>> CLE production instances running Websphere/DB2.  Neither John Bush nor 
>> myself are aware of any production instances.  Two weeks ago I polled 
>> both the production and dev lists regarding Websphere/DB2 production 
>> instances.  Thus far I have received no replies.
>>
>> At the same time the absence of any known production installations 
>> raises questions regarding the suitability of the WAS module as a core 
>> CLE project.  It may well make sense to move the project out of the 
>> release and re-designate it a Contrib project where it can be 
>> maintained by interested community members independent of CLE release 
>> timelines--but that is not for me to decide.
>>
>> Options
>>
>> 1.  Do nothing other than state in the release notes that the WAS 
>> module and Db2 conversion scripts are unsupported and not tested.  The 
>> hope here is that support will be forthcoming in time for 2.8.1.
>>
>> 2.  Consider the WAS module deprecated and state in the release notes 
>> that it will be removed as of 2.9.0 if community members are unwilling 
>> to support it.  If support materializes after 2.8.0 is released the 
>> status of WAS can be reviewed and changed.
>>
>> 3.  Remove the WAS module from trunk and 2.8.x and relocate it to 
>> contrib along with Db2 conversion scripts.
>>
>> Option no. 2 most closely resembles past practice but others may hold 
>> a different opinion on how the current situation should be handled.
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Anthony