Set up an alias hostname for Content Hubs and KAF integrations

About

An alias hostname allows you to serve your Kaltura application from your organization's domain instead of a default Kaltura domain.

This is useful in the following scenarios:

• Resolve third-party cookie issues – When Kaltura is used within an LMS or other integration and loaded from a different domain, browsers may block its cookies. This can cause issues such as login failures, media not loading, or actions not being saved.
• Set up a custom (vanity) domain – You can use an alias hostname to give your legacy Video Portal or LMS Video a branded URL (for example, videos.company.com or kaf.university.edu).

In both cases, configuring an alias hostname ensures Kaltura is served from your domain.

Set up an alias hostname

Step 1 – Identify your Kaltura instance URL

Make sure you know your Kaltura instance URL. You can contact your Kaltura representative or check whether you have one of the following:

• For legacy Video Portal or Content Hubs: <partner ID>.mediaspace.kaltura.com
• For LMS Video or KAF: <partner ID>.kaf.kaltura.com

Step 2 – Choose a subdomain

Choose a new subdomain that matches the domain used by your LMS or website.

The subdomain must be part of your organization's domain, not a separate or unrelated domain. This ensures Kaltura is loaded from the same domain as your platform, so cookies are treated as first-party and are not blocked.

Examples:

• If your LMS domain is lms.university.edu, you could use kaf.lms.university.edu.
• If your organization's domain is company.com, you could use videos.company.com.

Step 3 – Configure a CNAME

Ask your IT team to create a CNAME DNS record that points your chosen hostname to your Kaltura application hostname.

In the DNS configuration, they will need to:

• Enter your chosen hostname (for example, kaf.lms.yourdomain.com).
• Set it to point to your Kaltura application hostname (for example, <partner ID>.kaf.kaltura.com).

This ensures that when users access the hostname, they are directed to your Kaltura environment.

Step 4 – Configure the hostname in Kaltura

1. Go to your Configuration Management console and open the Hostnames module.



2. Set enabled to 'Yes', then click Save.
3. After saving, click Navigate to the hostnames page.



4. On the hostnames page, click + Add Hostname.
5. Complete the setup wizard:
   • Enter your hostname.
   • Choose an SSL certificate type:
     • Managed – Kaltura handles certificate provisioning and automatic renewal.
     • Custom – Provide and manage your own SSL certificate and private key.
   • Confirm the configuration.

The hostname is added with a Pending status and becomes active once setup is complete.

For detailed instructions, including SSL certificate requirements, see Configure and manage hostnames and SSL certificates.

Advanced: Use your own CDN or reverse proxy

Most organizations can use either a Managed or Custom SSL certificate directly in the Hostnames setup wizard.

You may need to use your own CDN or reverse proxy instead if your organization's security requirements prevent you from uploading the SSL private key to Kaltura, or if all incoming traffic must pass through your organization's own security infrastructure, such as a corporate web application firewall (WAF) or traffic inspection service.

In this configuration, your organization manages the SSL certificate and forwards traffic to the Kaltura application.

Set up DNS and CDN

To set up your custom alias (for example, videos.company.com) using your own CDN or reverse proxy:

• Configure your DNS so the custom hostname points to your CDN or reverse proxy.
• Configure the CDN or proxy to forward requests to the appropriate Kaltura application origin.
• Manage the SSL certificate on your own CDN or proxy.

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