Web Hosting Service Options and Costs

Since launching the service in 2011, Web Services now hosts more than 1,000 Drupal websites. UCSF provides high-quality security services, using encrypted hardware accessible only via VPN from UCSF and a hacking-attempt detection system to block thousands of suspicious web sessions each month.

What does Web Hosting cost?

Costs vary depending based on the solution you use:

Option 1: Web Services Platform Services - FREE

This hosting service covers the most common case for websites at UCSF. UCSF Site Builder is the most popular way to host a website but other solutions are available to meet specific needs for departmental or internally facing websites.

Secure hosting for UCSF sites built on Web Services Platform technologies offers the following benefits:

• Server patching
• Monitoring and managing overall infrastructure to verify resource availability and capacity
• Drupal patching
• Standard modules patching
• Monitoring of sites
• Running nightly database backup
• Managing version control
• Managing regular code deployments
• Keeping SAML (MyAccess) infrastructure available
• Accessibility and brand compliance updates

Web firewall (WAF)

UCSF has a Web Application Firewall that blocks scripted attacks on our sites. We typically block 44,000+ attack attempts a month. The WAF also allows us to prevent Denial of Service attacks on our hosted websites.

Encrypted hardware

UCSF's hardware is encrypted to prevent unauthorized access to private files on our sites.

Option 2: Pantheon Hosting - $500+ Annually

For customers wanting specific customization not available from UCSF Web Services platforms, it is recommended to host your Drupal or Wordpress site on Pantheon. Web Services brokers the contract with Pantheon to ensure lowest total cost to UCSF customers. Web Services does not maintain or support sites hosted on Pantheon, customers are expected to do so with a vendor or using their own resources.

Read more about the details on hosting from Pantheon.io.

*Actual costs are distributed to Pantheon customers via a true-up recharge at the end of year. Actual charges may vary from those outlined above. Expect a variance of around five percent (5%).