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Getting Started with StackPath

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PeterS
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Overview

Account administrators can use this document to learn how to initially set up their StackPath account and access the StackPath customer portal. 

Step 1: Create a StackPath account  

  1. Navigate to control.stackpath.com, and then click Sign Up!
  2. Enter your email address, and then create a password. 
    • Your password must be at least 8 characters in length, and must meet at least 3 of the following requirements: 
      • A lower-case letter
      • An upper-case letter
      • A number
      • A symbol (! @ # $ % ^ & ; *)
  3. Click Create an Account.
  4. In your email account, open the email from StackPath, and then verify your email account. 
  5. Return to the portal, and click Check Email to Continue. 

Step 2: Select a StackPath service

In this initial setup process, you can only select one service. Afterwards, you can add more services and features to your account. 

In this initial setup process, there are two options: 

  • If you want to enhance your website's performance through a CDN, WAF, DNS, or Monitoring, see Option 1: Website & Application Services. 
  • If you want to use containers and virtual machines, see Option 2: Edge Compute. 

Option 1: Website & Application Services

  1. In the control portal, click Select for Website & Application Services.
  2. Select the desired service (CDN, WAF, DNS, or Monitoring).
  3. Enter your payment information. 
  4. Under Total, review the initial charges, and then select Continue. 
  5. After a successful account creation, you will be redirected to the dashboard. 

Option 2: Edge Compute

  1. In the control portal, click Select for Edge Compute. 
  2. Enter your payment information. 
    • For this service, you only pay for what you use. As a result, there are no initial charges. 
  3. Select Continue. 
  4. After a successful account creation, you will be redirected to the dashboard. 
  5. Skip to Step 6: Invite Users. 

Step 3: Choose your Support Plan

Review the Support Plan matrix and select the Plan that best fits your needs. StackPath offers four tiers of Support (Standard, Silver, Gold and Platinum), each offering different features or levels of engagement.

The Standard Support Plan is enabled by default for all customers upon initial setup at no charge.

Please see our Support Plans Product Guide for more information.

  1. Select a Support Plan, then click Next.
  2. Select either the Introductory Rate (6 month term) or List Rate (1 month term).
  3. Click Confirm Subscription when you are finished.

Step 4: Create a site

If you selected any of the Website and App services, then a default stack has been created. To complement this stack, you need to create a site. 

Before you begin, consider the following statements:
  • CDN sites are $1 per month.
  • For Essential WAF users, WAF sites are $15 per month.
  • For Professional WAF users, WAF sites are $5 per month.
  • For Enterprise WAF users, WAF sites are $1 per month.
  • For all users, there is a limit of 100 sites. To obtain more than 100 sites, users need to contact Support.
  1. Select Full Site Integration or Static Assets Integration based on your preference.
    1. If you are planning on using the StackPath WAF, then Full Site Integration is required.
  2. In the Domain field, the name of the domain that will deliver assets to StackPath.  
    1. For most users, simply enter your website's URL.  
  3. Based on the services you previously selected (CDN, WAF, DNS, Monitoring), select at least one service to complement this site, and then click Set Up Your Origin. 
  4. For Hostname/IP Address, enter the IP address to your webserver where your files are hosted.  
    1. If you use a hosting provider, enter the IP address of hosting provider's server.
    2. If you use a storage bucket (Amazon, Google), enter the FQDN that matches the bucket.
    3. If StackPath finds a DNS that matches your domain, then Hostname/IP Address will be auto-populated. 
  5. Select yes or no depending on if your origin address is password protected.
    1. This will be No for most users.
  6. (Optional) Add a custom domain. Once you are finished on this page, click Confirm Origin Address.
  7. Upload or create an SSL certificate, then click Confirm SSL Method.
    1. For more information on this step, please see Create and Manage SSL Certificates.
  8. Edit your site's DNS records as per the on-screen instructions. When you are finished, click Complete Setup.

Step 5: Create a DNS zone

This step applies to users who have purchased DNS services only.

In most cases, a DNS zone has been automatically configured for you.

If you do not see a DNS zone, then you must manually create and configure a DNS zone. 

  1. In the portal, in the left-side navigation, click Stacks.
  2. Locate and select the desired stack. 
    • This action will cause the dashboard to refresh
  3. In the left-side navigation, click DNS. 
  4. Click Create DNS Zone. 
  5. In Domain, enter the domain you used to create your site. 
    • If StackPath finds a DNS zone that matches your domain, then all DNS records will auto-populate and display under DNS Records. 

Video: Create a DNS zone

 

To learn more about managing DNS Zones, see Setting up StackPath DNS.

Step 6: Invite users 

  1. In the top, right corner, select your username.
  2. In the drop-down menu, select User Management. 
  3. Click Add User. 
  4. Enter the new user's name, email address, and phone number. 
  5. Select the permission settings. 
    Permission Description
    All Stacks

    This permission allows users to:

    - View and edit all stacks

    - Add new stacks 
    All Stacks + Billing

    This permission gives users admin-level privileges.

    Specifically, this permission allows users to: 

    - View and edit all stacks

    - Add new stacks 

    - View billing information 

    - Invite new users

    - Delete existing users 

    - Edit user permissions 
    Stack level 

    This permission allows users to view and edit specific stacks. 

    When you select this permission, you must select the specific stack that the user can view and edit. 
  6. Click Add User. 
    • The invited user will receive an email invitation. 

Video: Create and manage users 

Step 7: Create an API key

To use the StackPath API system, you must create an API key for authentication purposes. 

API keys have the same permission as the user who generates them. As a result, admins should not generate API keys for their users. 
  1. In the portal, in the top, right corner, select your username.
  2. Select API Management.
  3. Click Generate Credentials. 
  4. Enter a descriptive name for your credentials, and then click Save. 
  5. Copy and save the Client ID and API Client Secret string in a secure location place.
    • The API Client Secret is only displayed once. After you close the pop-up window, you will not be able to retrieve the key. 
    • If you lose this key, then you must generate a new key. 

To learn more about the StackPath API system, including how to authenticate, visit the StackPath Developer Portal.

Video: Create an API key

Additional information (next steps) 

Review the following documents to configure your StackPath account:

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