PHP 4 End-Of-Life Plans for cPanel clients, who are still using PHP4 - FURTHER UPDATE
Posted on 16/08/08

This message only applies to those users on our cPanel servers (both Libra and Concorde), who are still running PHP4 on their website, and haven’t already upgraded to PHP5.

Our providers have delayed the phasing out of PHP 4 on the cPanel based servers, which include both the Concorde and Libra Servers. This is due to the Concorde server currently running mod_php4 instead of suexec_php4 version of PHP, which makes it more difficult to upgrade to PHP5 under suexec. Instead the Concorde server will need to be upgraded in a 2 step process. This only applies to those users who are still running PHP4 on their website, and haven’t already upgraded to PHP5.

For security reasons our providers are wanting to change ALL cPanel servers to be in a suexec environment for ALL versions of PHP. Suexec is a more secure environment than mod_php. Therefore the first step for the Concorde server, will from mod_php4 to suexec_php4 . The Libra server doesn’t need this doing, as it is already running under suexec_php4.
When this switch from mod_php4 to suexec_php4 takes place, our providers do have scripts to take care of issues with clients scripts that are still using PHP4, regarding ownership and permissions, that may result from this switch.

Once that is done, that will mean that both cPanel servers will then be running under suexec_php4 as their default, and suexec_php5 as an option.
Our providers have now added a new feature within cPanel that allows you to manually change between PHP 4 and 5 by selecting which version you'd like to use, rather than manually creating a .htaccess file. If you login to your cPanel control panel, it is labeled "PHP Configuration". Click this icon and choose which version of PHP you'd like. When you select PHP5 on the PHP Configuration page, it will be running under suexec_php5.

Our providers have scheduled to begin changing the Concorde server from mod_php4 to suexec_php4 on Saturday Sept 27th, 2008 . Only the Concorde server will be done, as Libra is already running suexec_php4 as discussed above.

After Step One of this transition has taken place we'll then post a new message about changing the server default version of PHP from 4 to 5. You can however do this manually yourself now, using the method described above, by logging into your cPanel account and clicking on the Php Configuration, and then selecting PHP5. We recommend that all clients who are still using PHP4 do this now, rather than waiting until the default version is switched, so you can make sure that your PHP4 scripts will all run under PHP5.

To be kept up to date with this, we recommend that all our clients join our RSS News Feed, by clicking here.

OLDER MESSAGES:

PHP 4 End-Of-Life Plans for PHP 4 on all Linux servers:
Posted on 4/02/2008

As you may be aware, PHP developer support for PHP 4 was discontinued on the 31/12/2007. While our hosting providers will continue to support PHP 4 sites during early to mid 2008, PHP 4 itself will only receive select security updates until 08/08/2008 and from then on it will no longer have security updates released. All new Linux websites setup from the 5/06/2008 will now be setup by default as PHP 5.

After June 2008 our hosting providers will begin phasing out PHP 4 on all the linux servers. This means that if your website relies on PHP4, you will need to get your web developer to upgrade it code to PHP 5. We recommend that you start planning to migrate your PHP 4 sites to PHP 5 now without delay. Once our providers remove PHP 4 from the server, PHP 5 will become the default version of PHP.

If your website isn't already using PHP 5, you are able to upgrade your hosting from PHP 4 to PHP 5 by following the instructions below.

cPanel Hosting Plans Users:
To switch your site to PHP 5, please following the instructions at http://loungenetwork.co.nz/faqman/index.php?op=view&t=202

Corporate/Business Class Hosting Plan Users:
To switch your site to PHP 5, please following the instructions at http://loungenetwork.co.nz/faqman/index.php?op=view&t=218

The following page also has some useful information: http://www.php.net/manual/en/migration5.php


Please note that as PHP is third party software we don't provide any support for it. We are therefore not able to help you to get older PHP 4 coding on your website, to work with PHP 5. This job must be done by your website developer/programmer.