Virtual Host Redirect Migration

On October 9th, University IT sent an email about Virtual Host Redirects. The email subject was Action Required by 11/6: Update Virtual Host Information (and the contents of the email are at the bottom of this article). This page provides some additional information about what is changing. 

What’s happening?

The system that redirects Stanford subdomains is changing. As part of the migration, UIT is ensuring that the existing redirects are still needed and have an owner.

What are Virtual Host Redirects?

Virtual host redirects are one of several ways to redirect a Stanford subdomain (e.g. hsdo.stanford.edu) to another website. In the case of hsdo.stanford.edu, it was an old website that was retired, but it now redirects to the current H&S website: humsci.stanford.edu. Virtual host redirects commonly point to stanford.edu websites, AFS websites, or external sites.

What do I need to do?

Click the link in step 1 of the original email to see the Virtual Hosts Data Conversion table. Scan the list for redirects that seem pertinent to you or your department or program. Coordinate with your colleagues and pick a workgroup that should have the access to modify the redirect if needed. 

If your redirect is still needed, please add a workgroup. If you don’t add a workgroup, the redirect may expire without you or your team being notified. Please make these changes by November 6th. 

If you need additional help, please submit a ticket here: https://stanford.service-now.com/it_services?id=sc_cat_item&sys_id=dfe1090edb67901480b6f6a4e29619e9

A note for H&S Web Team clients

If your department or program worked with the H&S Website Consulting Team to update your website, there is a good chance that our team has access to your redirect.

If you see our workgroup, hsdo:web, in the New Workgroup column, you’re free to leave that and let us manage the redirect for you. You’re also welcome to use your own workgroup if you’d like to manage the redirect yourself in the new system.

Why did I receive the email?

If you received the original email, you are either the individual listed as the owner of the redirect, or a member of the PTS group listed in the current Virtual Host Redirects tool. PTS groups are groups that grant access in AFS. Since AFS access is potentially out of date, there is a good chance you received an email for a redirect you are no longer associated with.

My redirect is not listed on this form, what do I do?

There are a couple reasons you might not see a redirect on the page linked in Step 1 of the email. 

•  You may not be the owner of the redirect in the current system.
• Your redirect may be configured in a different system like Stanford DNS. 

If you rely on a redirect, but you or your team don’t have access, please submit a HelpSU ticket here: https://stanford.service-now.com/it_services?id=sc_cat_item&sys_id=dfe1090edb67901480b6f6a4e29619e9.

What about a vanity URL or Proxy?

If your Stanford URL is the actual URL for your website you don’t have to worry about that URL. For example, if you enter biology.stanford.edu in your browser’s address bar and the website returned is still biology.stanford.edu, you don’t have to take any action. Only Stanford URLs that redirect to a different URL are in scope for the email that was sent. 

Below is the text from the original email