Selecting a hosting platform
The University offers two options for hosting sites: the UCT Web CMS (Content Management System), and LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL/MS SQL and PHP). The primary option is the UCT Web Content Managing System (CMS) on the Drupal platform. While there are a few LAMP sites in use, this option is being phased out unless needed for a business reason.
The Web CMS offers by far the better option in terms of functionality and versatility, allowing for some customisation and co-branding. It helps to unify all sites within the organisation under UCT’s strong brand. Functionality like calendars, newsfeeds and image galleries are also attractive features.
The UCT Web Content Management System (preferred method)
Most of the university's corporate content is hosted on this environment. All websites that were previously hosted on old platforms such as WordPress and the UCT web content management system (Web CMS) are being migrated to the new Drupal platform.
If your department wishes to create a website a call must be logged in ServiceNow. Should you wish to redesign your website with CMD’s assistance, you will need to migrate it to the new platform first.
NOTE:
You are encouraged to keep your content up-to-date, regardless of which platform it is on.
Application for a new website to be created:
Moratorium on new UCT Web CMS websites: Please note that a moratorium on the creation of new websites will be in effect from 6 November 2020. This will remain in place while the new UCT Web CMS (Drupal 8) is being developed and implemented. For more information and alternatives to new websites please see the COO Desk of 30 October 2020.
Application for a new website to go live:
Deadline for the completion of new UCT Web CMS websites: Please note that all sites under development must be completed and submitted to go live by 4 December 2020. For more information and alternatives to new UCT Web CMS (Drupal) websites please see the COO Desk of 30 October 2020.
WordPress (being phased out)
No new websites will be built on WordPress and all existing WordPress websites will be migrated to the new Drupal platform. Blogs are an exception to this and fall into a separate category.
If you have a WordPress website, you are encouraged to keep your content up-to-date ahead of the migration process. You can make minor changes to the site navigation, but should you wish to do a major redesign your of your site, you will need to wait until it has been migrated.
Specialised hosting environment: LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL/MS SQL and PHP)
All LAMP (Groa) websites will be evaluated to determine whether they can be migrated to the new Drupal platform.
Site owners using this environment need to agree to maintain their code regularly to keep the core technology updated. The article about hosting on the LAMP environment provides more detail.
As the LAMP environment caters for specialised websites that are complex or have technical requirements that cannot be accommodated on any of the other environments, certain sites will remain in this environment.
For additional information about the LAMP environment click on the relevant links below: