Web Content Management Program
Vision
One of University IT (UIT)'s priority initiatives is to provide modern, secure, and managed cloud-based web alternatives through the Web Content Management program. The program is a collection of efforts to replace the current Andrew File System (AFS)-based web content management systems. AFS is minimally supported and hosts a number of websites created by individuals and other organizations in unsupported, outdated and vulnerable versions of web tools.
By 2021, UIT will establish new vendor platforms, upgrade established platforms, and assist the web content management community in determining the closest-fit solution for their needs.
Projects
The program is comprised of eight projects, and three are currently active. Below is an overview of each project.
AFS-Based Drupal Websites
Stanford’s vast web presence is maintained by many distributed groups across campus and includes a wide variety of applications and hosting platforms, including the legacy AFS platform.
UIT will reduce instances of Drupal on AFS by removal of inactive websites and provide alternative hosting options and guidance for owners of active websites.
Stanford Sites Drupal 8 Platform
Stanford Sites, UIT’s primary Drupal cloud service, currently hosts 2,000+ sites and hosts only Drupal 7. To continue receiving security updates and community support, the Drupal service must be updated to the latest version by November 2021.
Stanford Web Services (SWS) will build and implement Drupal 8 on Stanford Sites, with rollout planned for February 2020.
Form Builder Replacement
Form Builder, the Stanford Web Forms service, currently relies on AFS and will be replaced by a cloud-based vendor.
Timeline:
- January 2020: UIT announced Google Forms as replacement for Form Builder service.
- April 30, 2020*: You will not be able to create new Form Builder forms.
- July 30, 2020*: UIT will retire the Form Builder service and all existing forms will be retired.
*To alleviate any additional stress during the COVID-19 situation, University IT adjusted the timeline to these new key dates.
WordPress Hosting Platform
A cloud-based WordPress hosting and vendor-provided support option will be made available as an alternative to the cloud Drupal platform.
More information coming soon.
Static HTML Websites
Static HTML websites will be documented and communicated.
More information coming soon.
AFS Web Directory Space
UIT will cease automated provisioning of new AFS web directory space to new students, faculty, and staff.
More information coming soon.
Virtual Name Redirect
UIT will move virtual name redirects (vanity URL services) to a cloud platform and move proxy URL redirects to a vanity URL redirect cloud infrastructure.
More information coming soon.
Virtual Name Proxy
UIT will move the virtual name proxy service to a cloud-based vanity URL service.
More information coming soon.
Roadmap
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AFS-based Drupal websites
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Stanford Sites Drupal 8 Core Platform
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Wordpress hosting platform
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Static HTML websites
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AFS web directory space
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Form Builder replacement
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Virtual name redirect
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Virtual name proxy
Resources
Communications
Read the latest news and blog updates about the program:
FAQ
Review FAQ about University IT's strategy for modernizing the web content management system at Stanford.
Roles
- Executive Sponsors: Steve Gallagher, Jan Cicero, Ganesh Karkala
- Program Manager: Joe Perna
- Product Owner: Larry Dillard (Static HTML websites, AFS web directory space, virtual name redirect, virtual name proxy)
- Product Owner: Marco Wise (Form Builder)
- Product Owner: Sara Worrell-Berg (AFS-based Drupal websites, Stanford Sites Drupal 8 platform, WordPress hosting platform)
- Communications Lead: Rachel Manongdo
