1 Introduction

PowerSchool was established in 1997 and acquired by Pearson Education in 2006. After a school purchases PowerSchool, accounts can be set up for administrators, counsellors, office staff, teachers, students and parents. PowerSchool makes it easy for teachers to record grades, take attendance, and check student profiles. Also, it is convenient for parents to check all of their child's grades as soon as they are posted.

The Kemp LoadMaster is used to load balance the Pearson PowerSchool workload. The LoadMaster offers advanced Layer 4 and Layer 7 server load balancing, SSL Acceleration and a multitude of other advanced Application Delivery Controller (ADC) features. The LoadMaster intelligently and efficiently distributes user traffic among the application servers so that users get the best experience possible. 

1.1 Document Purpose

This document provides the recommended LoadMaster settings used when load balancing the Pearson PowerSchool workload. The Kemp Support Team is available to provide solutions for scenarios not explicitly defined. The Kemp support site can be found at: https://support.kemptechnologies.com

1.2 Intended Audience

This document is intended to be read by anyone who is interested in configuring the LoadMaster to optimize the Pearson PowerSchool server.

2 Template

Kemp has developed a template containing our recommended settings for this workload. You can install this template to help create Virtual Services (VSs) because it automatically populates the settings. You can use the template to easily create the required VSs with the recommended settings. For some workloads, additional manual steps may be required such as assigning a certificate or applying port following, these steps are covered in the document, if needed.

You can remove templates after use and this will not affect deployed services. If needed, you can make changes to any of the VS settings after using the template.

Download released templates from the following page: LoadMaster Templates.

For more information and steps on how to import and use templates, refer to the Virtual Services and Templates, Feature Description on the Kemp Documentation page.

3 Architecture

4 Configure the LoadMaster

The deployed Pearson PowerSchool environment determines which of the following setups is used.

4.1 Enable Subnet Originating Requests Globally

It is best practice to enable the Subnet Originating Requests option globally.

In a one-armed setup (where the Virtual Service and Real Servers are on the same network/subnet) Subnet Originating Requests is usually not needed. However, enabling Subnet Originating Requests should not affect the routing in a one-armed setup.

In a two-armed setup where the Virtual Service is on network/subnet A, for example, and the Real Servers are on network B, Subnet Originating Requests should be enabled on LoadMasters with firmware version 7.1-16 and above.

When Subnet Originating Requests is enabled, the Real Server sees traffic originating from 10.20.20.21 (LoadMaster eth1 address) and responds correctly in most scenarios.

With Subnet Originating Requests disabled, the Real Server sees traffic originating from 10.0.0.15 (LoadMaster Virtual Service address on eth0) and responds to eth0 which could cause asymmetric routing.

When Subnet Originating Requests is enabled globally, it is automatically enabled on all Virtual Services. If the Subnet Originating Requests option is disabled globally, you can choose whether to enable Subnet Originating Requests on a per-Virtual Service basis.

To enable Subnet Originating Requests globally, follow the steps below:

1. In the main menu of the LoadMaster User Interface (UI), go to System Configuration > Miscellaneous Options > Network Options.

2. Select the Subnet Originating Requests check box.

4.2 Enable Check Persist Globally

It is recommended that you change the Always Check Persist option to Yes - Accept Changes. Use the following steps:

1. Go to System Configuration > Miscellaneous Options > L7 Configuration.

2. Click the Always Check Persist drop-down arrow and select Yes - Accept Changes.

4.3 Create the PowerSchool Virtual Services

The following sections describe the recommended settings for the Pearson PowerSchool Virtual Services.

4.3.1 Create a Pearson PowerSchool HTTPS Virtual Service

The following are the steps involved and the recommended settings to configure the Pearson PowerSchool HTTPS Virtual Service:

1. In the main menu of the LoadMaster Web User Interface (WUI), go to Virtual Services > Add New.

2. Type a valid Virtual Address.

3. Type 443 as the Port.

4. Enter a recognizable Service Name, such as Pearson PowerSchool HTTPS Virtual Service.

5. Click Add this Virtual Service.

6. Configure the settings as recommended in the following table:

Section	Option	Value	Comment
Standard Options	Persistence Mode	Active Cookie
	Timeout	6 Hours
	Cookie name	PowerSchool_SSL
	Scheduling Method	least connection
SSL Properties	Cipher Set	BestPractices
Advanced Properties	Add a Port 80 Redirector VS	https://%h%s	Click Add HTTP Redirector.
Real Servers	URL	/admin/pw.html

7. Add the Real Servers:

a) Expand the Real Servers section.

b) Click Add New.

c) Enter the address of the relevant real server.

d) Complete the other fields as required.

e) Click Add this Real Server then click OK to the pop-up message.

f) Repeat the steps above to add more Real Servers as needed, based on your environment.

Create a Pearson PowerSchool HTTPS Redirect Virtual Service

Clicking the Add HTTP Redirector button automatically creates a port 80 redirect Virtual Service. This is optional, but the purpose of this Virtual Service is to redirect any clients who have connected using HTTP to the HTTPS Virtual Service. Kemp also recommends changing the Persistence Mode to None.

4.3.2 Create a Pearson PowerSchool Scheduler Virtual Service

The following are the steps involved and the recommended settings to configure the Pearson PowerSchool Scheduler Virtual Service:

1. In the main menu of the LoadMaster WUI, go to Virtual Services > Add New.

2. Type a valid Virtual Address.

3. Type 2000 as the Port.

4. Enter a recognizable Service Name, such as Pearson PowerSchool Scheduler Virtual Service.

5. Click Add this Virtual Service.

6. Configure the settings as recommended in the following table:

Section	Option	Value	Comment
Standard Options	Force L7	Disabled
	Persistence Option	Source IP Address
	Timeout	8 Hours
	Scheduling Method	Least connection

7. Add the Real Servers:

a) Expand the Real Servers section.

b) Click Add New.

c) Enter the address of the relevant Real Server.

d) Complete the other fields as required.

e) Click Add this Real Server then click OK to the pop-up message.

f) Repeat the steps above to add more Real Servers as needed, based on your environment.

4.3.3 Create a Pearson PowerSchool PowerTeacher Virtual Service

The following are the steps involved and the recommended settings to configure the Pearson PowerSchool PowerTeacher Virtual Service:

1. In the main menu of the LoadMaster WUI, go to Virtual Services > Add New.

2. Type a valid Virtual Address.

3. Type 5443 as the Port.

4. Enter a recognizable Service Name, such as Pearson PowerSchool PowerTeacher Virtual Service.

5. Click Add this Virtual Service.

6. Configure the settings as recommended in the following table:

Section	Option	Value
Standard Options	Transparency	Enabled
	Persistence Mode	Source IP Address
	Timeout	6 Hours
	Scheduling Method	least connection
SSL Properties	SSL Acceleration	Enabled
	Cipher Set	BestPractices
Real Servers	Checked Port	80

7. Add the Real Servers:

a) Expand the Real Servers section.

b) Click Add New.

c) Enter the address of the relevant Real Server.

d) Complete the other fields as required.

e) Click Add this Real Server then click OK to the pop-up message.

f) Repeat the steps above to add more Real Servers as needed, based on your environment.

4.3.4 Create a Pearson PowerSchool Report Virtual Service

The following are the steps involved and the recommended settings to configure the Pearson PowerSchool Report Virtual Service:

1. In the main menu of the LoadMaster WUI, go to Virtual Services > Add New.

2. Type a valid Virtual Address.

3. Type 8443 as the Port.

4. Enter a recognizable Service Name, such as Pearson PowerSchool Report Virtual Service.

5. Click Add this Virtual Service.

6. Configure the settings as recommended in the following table:

Section	Option	Value
Basic Properties	Service Type	HTTP/HTTPS
Standard Options	Transparency	Enabled
	Persistence Mode	Active Cookie
	Timeout	6 Hours
	Cookie name	PowerSchool_SSL
	Scheduling Method	least connection
SSL Properties	SSL Acceleration	Enabled
	Cipher Set	Best Practices
Real Servers	Checked Port	7980

7. Add the Real Servers:

a) Expand the Real Servers section.

b) Click Add New.

c) Enter the address of the relevant Real Server.

d) Complete the other fields as required.

e) Click Add this Real Server then click OK to the pop-up message.

f) Repeat the steps above to add more Real Servers as needed, based on your environment.

4.3.5 Create a Pearson PowerSchool Database Images Virtual Service

The following are the steps involved and the recommended settings to configure the Pearson PowerSchool Report Virtual Service:

1. In the main menu of the LoadMaster WUI, go to Virtual Services > Add New.

2. Type a valid Virtual Address.

3. Type 443 as the Port.

4. Enter a recognizable Service Name, such as Pearson PowerSchool Database Images Virtual Service.

5. Click Add this Virtual Service.

6. Configure the settings as recommended in the following table:

Section	Option	Value	Comments
Standard Options	Persistence Mode	Active Cookie
	Timeout	6 Minutes
	Cookie name	PowerSchool_Images
SSL Properties	SSL Acceleration	Enabled
	Cipher Set	Best Practices
Real Servers	Checked Port	7980
Advanced Properties	Add a Port 80 Redirector VS		Click Add HTTP Redirector

7. Add the Real Servers:

a) Expand the Real Servers section.

b) Click Add New.

c) Enter the address of the relevant Real Server.

d) Complete the other fields as required.

e) Click Add this Real Server then click OK to the pop-up message.

f) Repeat the steps above to add more Real Servers as needed, based on your environment.

Create a Pearson PowerSchool Database Images HTTP Redirect Virtual Service

Clicking the Add HTTP Redirector button automatically creates a port 80 redirect Virtual Service. This is optional, but the purpose of this Virtual Service is to redirect any clients who have connected using HTTP to the HTTPS Virtual Service. Kemp also recommends changing the Persistence Mode to None.

4.3.6 Create a Pearson PowerSchool Database ODBC Virtual Service

The following are the steps involved and the recommended settings to configure the Pearson PowerSchool Report Virtual Service:

1. In the main menu of the LoadMaster WUI, go to Virtual Services > Add New.

2. Type a valid Virtual Address.

3. Type 1521 as the Port.

4. Enter a recognizable Service Name, such as Pearson PowerSchool Database ODBC Virtual Service.

5. Click Add this Virtual Service.

6. Configure the settings as recommended in the following table:

Section	Option	Value
Standard Options	Force L7	Disabled
	Persistence Mode	Source IP Address
	Timeout	6 Minutes

7. Add the Real Servers:

a) Expand the Real Servers section.

b) Click Add New.

c) Enter the address of the relevant Real Server.

d) Complete the other fields as required.

e) Click Add this Real Server then click OK to the pop-up message.

f) Repeat the steps above to add more Real Servers as needed, based on your environment.

4.3.7 Create a Pearson PowerSchool Database RDB Virtual Service

The following are the steps involved and the recommended settings to configure the Pearson PowerSchool Database RDB Virtual Service:

1. In the main menu of the LoadMaster WUI, go to Virtual Services > Add New.

2. Type a valid Virtual Address.

3. Type 3389 as the Port.

4. Enter a recognizable Service Name, such as Pearson PowerSchool Database RDB Virtual Service.

5. Click Add this Virtual Service.

6. Configure the settings as recommended in the following table:

Section	Option	Value
Standard Options	Transparency	Enabled
	Timeout	4 Hours
	Scheduling Method	least connection

7. Add the Real Servers:

a) Expand the Real Servers section.

b) Click Add New.

c) Enter the address of the relevant Real Server.

d) Complete the other fields as required.

e) Click Add this Real Server then click OK to the pop-up message.

f) Repeat the steps above to add more Real Servers as needed, based on your environment.

References

Unless otherwise specified, the following documents can be found at http://kemptechnologies.com/documentation.

Virtual Services and Templates, Feature Description

Last Updated Date

This document was last updated on 22 March 2022.