New Website for Fachschaft Informatik

Problem Statement

The main issue of the previous student council website was its outdated and complex backend, which had become difficult to maintain over time. Additionally, access to the server was no longer possible because the SSH key was lost, preventing further updates or administrative actions. As a result, content management and technical maintenance were severely limited. The goal was to develop a new, maintainable and secure web platform that allows flexible administration, structured role management, and reliable long-term operation without depending on legacy infrastructure.

Idea and Concept

The concept was to design a modular web platform with a clear separation between frontend, backend, and data storage to ensure maintainability and flexibility. The system enables content management entirely through a web interface, removing the need for direct server access. Role-based permissions, scalable file handling, and a containerized architecture ensure long-term operability and easier maintenance. This approach replaces the previous tightly coupled and hard-to-manage system with a structured and extensible solution.

Implementation

The implementation follows a client-server architecture with a dedicated frontend and backend communicating via REST APIs. Structured data is stored in a relational database, while files are handled through an S3-compatible object storage. Authentication is based on student email registration with server-side role enforcement. The application is containerized using Docker, enabling reproducible environments, simplified deployment, and independent management without requiring direct server configuration or legacy system access.