Maxer Blog

PHP 8.2 Upgrade with MariaDB (August 2024)

Published by Peter Armstrong on July 18th, 2024

MAXER is committed to providing the latest software on our web servers for optimum performance and security. Part of this commitment involves our technicians maintaining multiple different PHP versions on our web hosting servers. Each PHP version has its own lifespan: a beta version, a stable launch, numerous minor updates and security patches, and finally decommissioning.

From time to time, we set a new native PHP version across our servers. The native PHP is the default version used if you or your web developer have not selected a specific version. In your cPanel hosting control panel, you can choose from the following PHP versions: 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3.

Today, we are announcing the date & time when the native PHP will switch to 8.2. Additionally, PHP 8.3 is now available for developers keen to explore the latest release!
There are two significant advantages to moving to PHP 8. Firstly, it offers “slimmer code,” making it more concise, efficient, and easier to read and maintain. Secondly, we will be upgrading all hosting accounts from MySQL to MariaDB, a database storage engine with improved query optimisation and recommended for software like WordPress. This upgrade will boost website speed and performance. MariaDB is a drop-in replacement for MySQL; it’s open source and fully compatible.
If you are a website owner, please inform your IT person or web developer of this announcement.

Important upgrade dates

– Shared/Reseller Hosting – FRIDAY, 9th AUGUST, 2024 @ 6 am (06:00)
– Enterprise Hosting – THURSDAY, 8th AUGUST, 2024 @ 6 pm (18:00)
– Cloud/VPS Servers – We will review your server and email you.

Please note we offer 8 global hosting locations. The upgrade will take place at the scheduled time in the timezone of the hosting location. For example enterprise hosting servers will be upgraded in Chicago at 6pm CDT, in Dublin at 6pm IST, in Singapore at 6pm SGT. The hosting location is chosen when placing an order. If you don’t know your hosting location, please check the last invoice you received for your hosting plan. You can also check with our support team on live chat.

Hold on, what’s PHP again?
PHP is a server-side scripting language designed for web development but also used as a general-purpose programming language. PHP is used by the vast majority of web sites hosted by Maxer Host.

If your website uses old software (more than a year or two since the last update), it may not be compatible with PHP 8.2. You should always use the latest up-to-date website software for performance and security.

What might go wrong?
We’re not anticipating any major problems. We offer a range of PHP versions, so if your website software isn’t compatible with one version, you can always switch to another. Issues are more likely to arise if website software has not been kept updated and is many years behind.

Please do check with your IT person or web developer! Every website is different, and website software, themes, and plugins may require unique changes to continue functioning properly.

Please follow our 5 steps!
(1) Advise your IT person / web developer of the PHP upgrade. Make sure the person responsible for maintaining your website is aware of the upgrade date & time (listed above).

The native/default PHP version will change from PHP 7.4 to 8.2 at the scheduled time.
Your website software should ideally be compatible with PHP 8.2 but remember you can choose other PHP versions in your cPanel hosting control panel. If you have not chosen a specific version, your hosting account will use the native/default version.

(2) If a specific PHP version is required, find time before the upgrade to login to your cPanel control panel, select the specific PHP version, then test your website and make sure it’s working normally.
To select a specific PHP version, please follow our guide here: Manage PHP version and configuration for your cPanel hosting account

(3) After the scheduled upgrade date & time, you should take time to thoroughly check your website(s) and make sure everything is working normally (especially any contact forms and checkout/order pages).

If you encounter a problem, please follow our troubleshooting steps here: Troubleshooting a broken website after switching PHP version

(4) Extra technicians will be on shift throughout the upgrade period to assist with any issues. Our phone lines will be closed to allow our team to prioritise fixing any issues reported by support ticket and live chat as fast as possible.

This is part of our on-going update schedule where we maintain multiple different PHP versions throughout their lifespan. More information on PHP version lifespan can be found here: PHP Version Lifespan (including Launch Date and End-of-Life)

(5) Please note PHP versions 7.2 and 7.3 reached end-of-life in late 2023 and we no longer support them. PHP 7.4 will reached end-of-life in November 2024 and will be decommissioned in 2025. Therefore, if you have selected any release of PHP 7 on your hosting account, please plan to switch to PHP 8 as soon as possible.

As always, any questions, get in touch!