• Live Chat
  • Report an IT Security Incident
  • Request Help
  • Help & Support
    • Live Chat
    • Request Help
    • Track a Ticket
    • Knowledge Base
    • Getting Started
    • Working/Learning Remotely
    • Computer Labs & Classrooms Information
  • Service Catalog
    • ITS General Help
    • Accounts & Access
    • Communications & Collaboration
    • Computers & Software
    • Information Security
    • Network & Internet Services
    • Professional Services
    • Research Computing
    • Teaching & Learning
    • University Applications
  • About ITS
    • Our ITS Team
    • Strategic Plan
    • Annual Reports
    • Awards
    • Student Employment
  • Working with ITS
    • Architectural Standards Review Board
    • Banner Admin
    • Business Intelligence
    • Data Governance
    • Enterprise Data Integration Services (EDIS)
    • IT Business Analysis
    • IT Security Office
    • Projects & Project Management
    • Technical Business Solution Intake Request Process
  • Alerts & Outages
    • Unplanned Outages
    • Phishing Alerts
    • Maintenance
    • After Action Reports
    • Archives
    • ITS Alerts Sign Up
  • News
    • Bits & Bytes Signup
    • Bits & Bytes Submissions
    • Bits & Bytes Archive
    • Spotlights
    • Bulletins
George Mason University
  • Live Chat
  • Report an IT Security Incident
  • Request Help
X Hide

Information Technology Services

Skip to content
  • Help & Support
    • Live Chat
    • Request Help
    • Track a Ticket
    • Knowledge Base
    • Getting Started
    • Working/Learning Remotely
    • Computer Labs & Classrooms Information
  • Service Catalog
    • ITS General Help
    • Accounts & Access
    • Communications & Collaboration
    • Computers & Software
    • Information Security
    • Network & Internet Services
    • Professional Services
    • Research Computing
    • Teaching & Learning
    • University Applications
  • About ITS
    • Our ITS Team
    • Strategic Plan
    • Annual Reports
    • Awards
    • Student Employment
  • Working with ITS
    • Architectural Standards Review Board
    • Banner Admin
    • Business Intelligence
    • Data Governance
    • Enterprise Data Integration Services (EDIS)
    • IT Business Analysis
    • IT Security Office
    • Projects & Project Management
    • Technical Business Solution Intake Request Process
  • Alerts & Outages
    • Unplanned Outages
    • Phishing Alerts
    • Maintenance
    • After Action Reports
    • Archives
    • ITS Alerts Sign Up
  • News
    • Bits & Bytes Signup
    • Bits & Bytes Submissions
    • Bits & Bytes Archive
    • Spotlights
    • Bulletins

How can ITS help you?

Our services are designed to help you succeed at Mason—
search our services, knowledge articles, how to guides, FAQs, and more.

Knowledge Base

Home > Help & Support > Knowledge Base > Web, Servers & Data > Web Dev > How to Request a Virtual Host (Shorter Web Address)

How to Request a Virtual Host (Shorter Web Address)

A virtual host allows for the replacement of a long web address with one that is shorter and more descriptive. This helps users to remember web addresses more easily.

Any administrative unit, academic department, or university service with the exception of individual student organizations may request virtual hosts on servers maintained by the Information Technology Services (ITS). The exception is due to the large number of student organizations and their non-permanent status.

A virtual host will be created so long as the name is not in conflict with one that already exists at the university. Names are approved and assigned on a first-requested, first-assigned basis and should reflect an appropriate name. A virtual hostname can be denied at the discretion of the Mason Web Team.

All virtual hostnames will be in the form of http://www.yourname.gmu.edu or http://yourname.gmu.edu. The yourname part of the address can be specified by the unit or department.

Web addresses that end in .com or .net will not be hosted by ITS servers. A domain of .org can apply to be hosted, but the organization related to the .org site must purchase the rights to that name from a domain name registration company. At the discretion of the Mason Web Team, requests for hosting .org domains on ITS servers may be denied.

Apply for a Virtual Host

To request a virtual host, submit a Virtual Host Request on the Web Hosting service page. If the request is approved, the webmaster will notify the requestor when the virtual host is operational.

Note: No more than three virtual hosts per group, association, office, or department will be permitted.

Last modified: September 25, 2020

Previous

What is the mason.gmu.edu server?

Next

What are homeweb scripts?

Related articles

  • What is Adobe Dreamweaver?
  • What are homeweb scripts?
  • How to Request a Virtual Host (Custom URL)
  • What is the web development disclaimer?
  • How do I subscribe to the Web Development Discussion listserv?

Get Started at Mason

Whether you are a student, faculty, staff member, or a guest visiting the Mason campus, we have resources to help get you started.

READ MORE

Quick Links

Patriot Pass Password Reset
Create a Ticket
Track a Ticket
PuTTY
Cisco AnyConnect VPN

READ MORE

Explore IT Services

A B C D E F G
H I J K L M N
O P Q R S T U
V W X Y Z #

I T S Logo

© 2024 George Mason University
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, Virginia 22030

Follow Us
location pin for in-person IT support   @GeorgeMasonITS
location pin for in-person IT support   @georgemasonits
ITS Support 24/7
   703-993-8870
   Live Chat
  • Webmaster