Change the PHP version on the all-inkl web server: In 2 easy steps

Introduction: Changing the PHP version on the all-inkl web server

Want to change the PHP version on your all-inkl web server? Great decision! Whether you use TYPO3 or another tool—sometimes it’s simply necessary to adjust the PHP version. In this guide, we’ll show you how to do it in just 2 simple steps. Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think!

What you need:

• SSH access: Yes, this is important. Without SSH access, you won’t be able to make this change.
• Basic CLI knowledge: It’s not rocket science, but a little basic knowledge of the command line would be helpful.

The shell/CLI is your best friend when it comes to server administration. With a few simple commands, you can do all sorts of things—from data processing to file management and system commands. Especially with TYPO3, you can’t avoid using Composer. And for that, you need to make sure the PHP version in the shell matches that of your web application.

Why is this important?

You certainly don’t want any nasty surprises if your application suddenly stops working or reveals security vulnerabilities. Different PHP versions can cause compatibility issues; therefore, it’s essential that everything works together seamlessly.

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Step 1: Check and verify the available PHP versions

Before we make any changes, it’s important to know which PHP versions are actually available on your all-inkl web server. But don’t worry, it’s easier than it sounds!

Here’s how:

1. Ensure SSH access: You need SSH access to your server. If you don’t have it yet, check the all-inkl guide or contact support.
2. Connect: Open your terminal (or PuTTY if you’re using Windows) and connect to your server: bash ssh username@serveraddress
3. View available PHP versions: Enter the following command to display a list of all installed PHP versions: ls -la /usr/bin/php*
4. Here you’ll see a list of all available PHP binaries, such as php5.6, php7.4 or php8.3.

Now you know exactly what options are available to you and can make an informed decision. This is the first step toward successfully customizing your PHP version.

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Step 2: Change the PHP version using Shell/CLI on the all-inkl web server

So, you’ve checked the available PHP versions. Now it’s time to get down to business: changing the PHP version! Don’t worry, it’s easier than it sounds.

Set up SSH access

First, you need to log in to your all-inkl web server via SSH. Of course, you’ll need your login credentials to do this. If you’re not sure how to do that yet, check out these instructions.

ssh username@serveraddress

You’ll be asked for your password. Enter it, and you’re in!

Check available PHP versions

To make sure you select the right version, here’s the command to check the installed PHP versions again:

bash ls -la /usr/bin/php*

This will show you all available PHP versions. Make a note of the version you want to install.

Create a symbolic link

Now it gets exciting: You’ll create a symbolic link to the desired PHP version. It sounds fancy, but it’s super easy:

ln -sfn /usr/bin/php8x /usr/bin/php

Replace php8.x with the version you want, e.g. php8.2.

All set? Then test it!

After you’ve changed the PHP version, you should check whether the change was successful. You can do this easily with the command:

php -v

This command shows you the currently active PHP version. If everything went well, you should now see your new PHP version.

Additional resources and recommendations for managing PHP on all-inkl web servers

If you’re thinking, “Hey, that was easy!”, then you’re ready for the next step. There are some cool tools and tricks to make managing your PHP version on an all-inkl web server even easier.

Useful Tools and Practices

• WebFTP: With this tool, you can conveniently edit your files directly on the server without any hassle. Ideal when you need to make a quick change.
• SSH-enabled package: SSH access is worth its weight in gold. It gives you access to the shell/CLI, which puts you in full control of your server. Perfect for all you power users out there!

Symbolic links

You can use symbolic links to quickly switch between different PHP versions. This saves time and hassle, especially if you often have to jump back and forth between projects with different PHP requirements.

ln -s /usr/bin/php8.2 /usr/bin/php

These resources offer valuable tips and tricks to not only optimize your PHP management but also take your entire online business to the next level.

So, folks, let’s get started! Get to your keyboards and make your web server ready for the future!