MultiSite Install – Change From Sub-Domains To Sub-Directories

  • ccmichaelson

    (@ccmichaelson)


    5 years ago

    I was recently asked to help a non-profit with their large multi-site WordPress environment (22 million records).

    They currently have a sub-domain multisite installation but they need to convert it to a sub-directory structure because they do not want to purchase/install hundreds of SSL certificates to deal with their domain, sub-domains, and sub sub-domains.

    I see a setting in the wp-config called SUBDOMAIN_INSTALL which is set to true. Do I just set that to false? Any gotchas/issues/etc.?

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
  • lcf

    (@lcf)

    they can get a wildcard SSL certificate for all subdomains and it is free from Let’s Encrypt.

    JNashHawkins

    (@jnashhawkins)

    I’d forget the whole idea.

    Mapping will let you do what you wish with what you have but the real magic for you all might be Cloudflare!

    Just put Cloudflare out in front of each site. Run with their Free certs. Problem solved.

    If you need to run SSL on the origin side then there’s a plugin that will help you with that but unless you’re processing credit cards or dealing with HIPAA type data you’ll probably be fine on the origin side.

    If you really need to migrate to a subdirectory install then build a new box and take your time migrating the individual sites.

    Thread Starter ccmichaelson

    (@ccmichaelson)

    This non-profit stores a lot of PII so SSL is a must. A wildcard SSL certificate does not work because they actually have a double sub-domain structure. For example: https://<city>/<state>/<main_domain&gt;.org. We looked at using multi-domain SSL certs and UCC’s from GoDaddy but the cost was north of $12,000.

    Thus, I need to convert their existing website from using subdomains to subdirectories and was hoping someone here has some experience with that.

    JNashHawkins

    (@jnashhawkins)

    Either look at the Cloudflare offerings or let the multisite’s built-in domain mapping help you.

    Or a mix of both.

    Or else build a new box with WordPress multisite and set it up from the start for subdirectories then migrate as you go.

    It can be done your way by converting the site but if your site is all that large then you’ll want a staff available to deal with issues and it is just not worth the headaches. Especially if anything goes wrong… and it will.

    One more possible solution is to look at someone like WordsRack to help you do this… I have nothing to do with Wordsrack but I can’t imagine anyone else doing this big a conversion well and fast enough. And that because of Stu Rader who used to be with Cloudflare.

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
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