Action Required — Azure API Retiring

Migrating to ZotGPT Gateway

The ZotGPT Azure AI API is being retired in favor of ZotGPT Gateway — a more capable, multi-model platform with UCInetID SSO, self-managed API keys, and real-time observability. Powered by Portkey AI, a leading AI gateway provider contracted by OIT to better support UCI's emerging AI needs.

Get Started on Portkey Migration Steps

Migration Timeline

The transition follows a phased rollout designed to give every team time to migrate without disruption.

Phase 1

Soft Launch

Days 1 – 30

All active Azure API key holders are notified by email
New Azure API key signups are ended
All new API requests are routed through ZotGPT Gateway
Migration guides and documentation published

Phase 2

Migrate to Portkey

Months 1 – 3

Existing users self-migrate using provided guides
Auto-provisioning live for Free Tier
ServiceNow intake form live for Standard Tier
Support and escalation channels open throughout

Phase 3

Finalize Migrations

End of Month 3

All remaining Azure API keys disabled
Azure API access layer shut down
ZotGPT Gateway becomes the sole AI API platform
Post-migration review and adoption report

What's Changing

ZotGPT Gateway is a direct upgrade from the Azure AI API. Your code changes are straight-forward: bring in the Portkey API and use your virtual key as the API key.

What Changes

Switch from API endpoint to Portkey SDK — available today for Python, JavaScript, and .Net.
API key — generate a new virtual API key from the Gateway portal; Azure keys will stop working at end of migration
Portal location — key management, usage dashboards, and settings move from the Azure API portal to the Gateway portal
Access tier — you will be placed in the appropriate Gateway tier based on your affiliation and KFS number

What Stays the Same

Response types — ZotGPT Gateway provides similar functions to create and fetch responses, prompt completions, but also much more
Model availability — not use GPT-4o like before, but many more models, including Gemini, Claude, and more — all accessible through the same API and SDKs.
UCI sign-in — authenticate with your UCInetID, same as before

How to Migrate

Most migrations take less than 15 minutes. Follow these steps to move your integrations to ZotGPT Gateway.

Sign In to the Gateway Portal

Go to the Gateway portal and sign in with your UCInetID. Your access tier will be provisioned automatically based on your affiliation. If you need Standard or Advanced Research Tier access, see step 2.

Open Gateway Portal →

Request Your Access Tier (if needed)

Free Tier is provisioned automatically for faculty, staff, and graduate students — no action needed. If you require higher usage limits, request Standard Tier access via the ServiceNow intake form. Provide your KFS number to validate departmental funding.

Request Standard Tier Access →

Generate a New Virtual API Key

In the Gateway portal, navigate to your workspace and create a new virtual API key. Give it a descriptive name tied to your project. You can create multiple keys and revoke any at any time — no IT request needed.

Update Your Code

Replace your old Azure API key with your new virtual key and update your base URL to the ZotGPT Gateway endpoint. Everything else — model names, request structure, SDK usage — stays identical.

Before (Azure API)

client = OpenAI(
    api_key="YOUR_AZURE_API_KEY",
    base_url="https://api.azureapi.zotgpt.uci.edu/v1"
)

After (ZotGPT Gateway)

client = OpenAI(
    api_key="YOUR_VIRTUAL_KEY",
    base_url="https://app.portkey.ai/v1"
)

Verify and Retire Your Azure Key

Run your existing tests against the Gateway endpoint to confirm everything works. Once verified, remove your Azure API key from your codebase and secrets manager — Azure keys will be disabled at the end of the migration window regardless.

Your New Access Tier

ZotGPT Gateway introduces a tiered access model to match different usage needs across the campus community.

Free Tier

Auto-Provisioned

Affiliation-based access at no cost with built-in budget guardrails. Available immediately upon UCInetID sign-in for faculty, staff, and graduate students. Undergraduate access requires a sponsoring principal investigator.

Who qualifies: Faculty · Staff · Graduate Students · PI-Sponsored Undergraduates

Standard API Tier

ServiceNow Intake Form

Full API access for faculty and staff with a validated KFS number. Enforced budget policies apply at both the user and workspace level, preventing unexpected charges against departmental funds.

Who qualifies: Faculty & Staff with a valid KFS number

Advanced Research Tier

Upon Request

Unfiltered, high-limit API access for complex research workloads. Researchers receive isolated workspaces with full observability on a shared backend. Requires validation of use case.

Who qualifies: Researchers with validated use cases

What You Gain

ZotGPT Gateway isn't just a replacement — it's a significant upgrade in capability, governance, and developer experience.

Comprehensive Help Documentation

Step-by-step migration guides, code samples, and troubleshooting tips to make your transition seamless. And, when you're migrated, you'll have access to detailed API docs, more models, and more capabilities than before.

Self-Service Key Management

Create, name, and revoke API keys yourself within your workspace — no IT tickets required.

Multi-Model Access

Access an expanding catalog of AI models through a single endpoint and API key.

Broader Campus Access

No need to wait on OIT to provision your account; any instructor or staff can now access the API through the Free Tier.

Real-Time Observability

Full analytics dashboards with token usage, latency, cost breakdowns, and model comparisons — visible in the portal.

Budget Enforcement

Spend limits are enforced per-user and per-workspace, protecting departmental budgets at any scale.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to migrate right away?

No. The Azure AI API will continue working through the end of the 3-month migration window. However, new API key signups are frozen now. We recommend migrating early to take advantage of the improved platform and avoid a last-minute rush before the deadline.

Will my existing code break?

Code changes are required to migrate to the Portkey SDK; documentation is available for popular languages on the Portkey documentation site.

I'm a graduate student. Can I access the Gateway?

Yes. Graduate students are eligible for the Free Tier — let us know and we can provision your access. Undergraduate students can access the API with sponsorship from a principal investigator.

What happens to my Azure API keys after migration?

All Azure API keys will be disabled at the end of Month 3. Any applications still using Azure API keys after that date will stop working. Be sure to complete your migration and remove old keys from your codebase before the deadline.

How do I get help during migration?

Support and escalation channels are open throughout the migration window. Contact the ZotGPT team through the Help Center or submit a ServiceNow ticket if you encounter issues or have questions about your tier placement.

Ready to Migrate?

Open Gateway Portal Get Migration Help

Questions? Contact the ZotGPT team via the Help Center · UCI OIT