PHP Versions at Modwest

We've had a few requests recently about upgrading PHP on the Modwest shared system. We specialize in PHP hosting -- we have substantial expertise in this arena -- but as of March 2008, we're not running the latest stable release of PHP on our shared system. We're running 4.4.6 as the default PHP version for new accounts, and the PHP development team currently recommends version 5.2.5.

There are a few technical barriers to upgrading the shared system, some of which I've hinted at in previous posts. The Modwest shared system is a centralized SAN-attached storage architecture, and in its current incarnation, there is only one technical server environment possible for all customers. This environment, despite periodic security and stability updates, is in many ways the same as it was in 2001 when we built it.  That is going to change in 2008.

In the meantime, here are the options available to customers on the shared system who would like to (or need to) utilize a more recent version of PHP.

• You can switch a site to PHP 5.0.4 in OnSite under 'PHP Configuration'.
• PHP 5.2.0 is also available on the shared system, but it's incomplete. Some new extensions simply cannot be installed in our current environment. More info about these first two options is in the FAQ.
• Both VPS plans and managed servers provide PHP 5.2.

But the long term solution is to offer our customers on the shared system an array of choices with regards to their hosting environment. That's what we have planned. Customers whose web applications require the latest PHP version, extensions, and libraries, will eventually be able to configure their accounts to accommodate these requirements. Customers whose web apps are running just fine as is won't need to change a thing.

We intend to continue being an excellent hosting choice for PHP developers. We may be slightly behind the curve currently, but we've got some great things in the works. If you'd like to beta-test the new environment this summer, just let us know by writing to feedback at modwest dot com.

-JM