Hosting a Domain

If you are hosting a website on KU's servers, you probably have a long URL to access your website, such as http://www2.ku.edu/~mydepartment/ . This URL isn't easy to remember, isn't very print-friendly, and isn't easy to verbally communicate to someone.

You have two options for a shorter address:

  1. Request a free "virtual host" domain, such as www.mydepartment.ku.edu
  2. Purchase your own .org domain, such kuband.org

Each option has its own set of restrictions. Please continue reading for which option is right for you and how to complete the process of either option.

Request a free "virtual host" domain

Virtual Host domains are freely available to any department or organization hosting a website IT or their own departmental web servers. The benefits of a virtual host domain might include the following:

  • A concise URL for print or verbal communication
  • Obvious association with KU because "ku.edu" appears in the domain

You may choose almost any virtual host address for your website. The address you choose should be unique for your department or describe the content you are providing on your site.

Complete this form to request a virtual host

Purchase your own .org domain

Some departments choose to purchase their own .org domain, such as http://www.kuband.org. Purchasing your own domain is like leasing office space on the web. You pay an annual fee to use that address, and at the end of that term, if you choose not to renew your lease you no longer have rights to use that address.

If your department does most of its interaction with people outside the University, or it is possible that KU will not always host your website, having your own .org domain might make more sense.

Note: Hosting for .com, .net and other TLDs are not available unless under extreme circumstance. Please do not purchase .com or .net domains with the intent of hosting them on the KU network.

Instructions for setting up domain hosting

  1. Email webservices@ku.edu for approval of the domain you intend to purchase for your website.
  2. If your domain is approved, register your domain through a domain registrar such as NameCheap or GoDaddy.
  3. After registering the domain, you should be able to configure the domain's Name Servers (NS). If you are unsure where to set these options, please consult the FAQ/help documentation from your domain registrar. Use the following name servers for your domain:
    • finch.cc.ku.edu
    • kuhub.cc.ku.edu
  4. Complete this form and tell us what domain(s) you registered and what server/web address they need to point to.