The System Control Panel is an area only available to users with the proper administrative privileges. The System Control Panel contains all the features and tools available through the user interface for administering the system.
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Not all of the features on the System Control Panel will be available to all users. For example, users running Blackboard Learning System and Blackboard Learning System—Basic Edition cannot create custom common areas or modules to extend the portal. Those features are only available with the Blackboard Portal System.
Also, Blackboard Learning System—Basic Edition users cannot change the Integration Password because they are not licensed to use the advanced integration and data management tools. Those features are only available with the Blackboard Learning System.
Features that are not licensed may appear as gray text within the application and the links will not work. Of course, users should always check with the System Administrator—it is possible with some licenses to specifically control access to features through the User Privileges page.
Blackboard Learning System and Blackboard Portal System can be licensed to support several installations on the same hardware. Each of these installations is considered a “Virtual Installation,” including the first or base installation. For more information on installing and managing Virtual Installations please see the Setup Guide appropriate for the operating system.
The System Control Panel includes an additional section accessible only by the root_admin user for managing Virtual Installations. This section of the panel is documented in the Setup Guides as well.
One important consideration for those with Administrative access that are also enrolled as Students: a separate user account must be used for the Student role. An Administrator acting as a Student will create problems in the system.