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Static HTML/CGI-Enabled Websites

Overview

University IT offers several alternative hosting options for Stanford users, groups, and departments that have HTML/CGI-enabled websites on AFS. 

Timeline

  • September 2020
     
    Hand-off Stanford Domains from VPTL to UIT
  • October 2020
     
    Complete Service Management requirements for Stanford Domains
  • November 2020
     
    Launch Stanford Domains as UIT service and hosting solution for AFS-based HTML/CGI-enables websites. Publish client-facing communicatios.

Get Started on Stanford Domains

Stanford Domains is an ideal alternative for hosting both static HTML/CGI-enabled websites and WordPress websites, including those currently on Stanford’s Andrew File System (AFS). The platform is a self-service web publishing tool that enables Stanford students, faculty, and staff to build simple, personal websites with Low Risk data for individual and collaborative purposes. 

For official school and department websites, or sites with more complex needs, the preferred service is Stanford Sites. 

Learn more about Stanford Domains

Frequently Asked Questions

Why this change and how does this change relate to AFS?

This effort to reduce dependencies on Stanford’s Andrew File System (AFS) and provide alternative cloud platform solutions is part of University IT's Web Content Management Program.

AFS is minimally supported and hosts a number of web spaces created by individuals and other organizations in unsupported, outdated and vulnerable versions of web tools. In addition to inherent security issues, the decades-old system is costly to maintain and support, lacks modern usability features, and is impacted by delayed open source fix releases.

In 2017, the university president, provost, and board of trustees gave the directive to the Stanford CIO to address the growing concerns around the security, privacy, and stability of AFS. To date, UIT has focused on advancing the Web Content Management Program — a multi-year initiative to provide modern, secure, and managed cloud-based web alternatives, and reduce the overall footprint of AFS.

How do I get started on Stanford Domains?

If you’re new to Stanford Domains, follow these steps to reserve a free subdomain, explore web applications, and get started on your website.

Once a CMS is installed, all content management will be done from the CMS application. Changes to your Stanford Domains space settings or the installation of other web applications must be done within the Stanford Domains web application. ​

  1. From domains.stanford.edu, click Get Started and log in with your SUNet ID. Optional: Submit the Stanford Domains Interest Form to help us help you as you set up your new website.
  2. Go to Dashboard to choose a free subdomain name, e.g., [subdomain].su.domains.
  3. After you’ve secured a domain name, you can install open-source web applications to begin building your new website. We recommend installing a content management system (CMS) such as WordPress, but you can browse other web applications on the Stanford Domains Dashboard.

Visit the following webpages for more information and resources about Stanford Domains: