EasyApache 4: better than ever?
- Category: cPanel
- Author: Admin
- Publisher:
Psychz Networks
- April 03,2015
EasyApache is a terrific server utility built into WHM and cPanel, which makes it a breeze to compile and configure both PHP and Apache modules. It’s easily accessible through web-based GUIs, runs seamlessly in the background with one click, and is the standard for today’s Apache servers.
cPanel (which develops the utility) has recently announced the upcoming release of its latest iteration, EasyApache 4, which promises to improve performance greatly by changing the way WHM and cPanel use PHP and Apache HTTPd. Here is a summary of what’s planned for EA4:
Better Integration With Server Operating Systems
With EasyApache 4, directories and files will be installed directly into directories using paths that are native to either RHEL or CentOS, instead of using the default path "usr/local/apache". This should significantly improve the speed of configuring and compiling new modules, and make it easier to customize Apache. To ensure that older scripts still work with EA4, symlinks will be created in the old default directory.
This change promises to simplify the processes of porting an existing Apache module built for Red Hat or CentOS and building new RPMs for modules.
Yum and RPMs For Better Speed And Better Integration
A major change in EasyApache 4 is the move of the EA4 interface into the package manager. That means there will finally be a yum interface available and RPMs like PHP and Apache will be put into dedicated yum repositories; users will also be able to create their own repositories. With EA4 now designed to directly utilize RPMs, processing time should be decreased and users will have more control over all packages through one all-purpose interface. Additionally, the use of yum and RPM will allow for the full binary distribution of both PHP and ApacheHTTPd.
Focus On Apache 2.4 And Automatic Updates
The new EA release will only provide Apache 2.4 RPMs, rather than supporting all legacy versions. This may not be to the liking of some users, but cPanel has decided to make the switch so it can focus on better support and easier customizations for modern Apache. EA4 will also include automatic updates for both PHP and Apache; admins can easily opt-out of the auto-updates, however, if they choose to do so.
Complete Support For Multi-PHP
One of the most interesting changes planned for EasyApache 4 is VirtualHost level support for Multi-PHP. Both admins and users will be able to install a number of PHP versions at the same time and choose default PHP versions at system and domain level. The way this is done is through .htaccess with the addition of AddHandler entries; it should greatly increase server flexibility.
None of these changes is etched in stone. No official release date has been announced, and cPanel is currently soliciting user opinions and feedback on its website before finalizing EA4 and releasing it. The company plans to make the update optional at the start, with administrators able to decide when they’re ready to upgrade. However, EA4 will become a required update at some point in the future.
