Introduction to Multi-PHP Setup

Managing multiple PHP versions is essential for system administrators and web developers who aim to support various web applications, particularly when dealing with legacy systems alongside modern frameworks. Virtualmin offers robust capabilities for handling multiple PHP versions, allowing for domain-specific configurations which can significantly enhance performance and compatibility. This guide will walk you through the installation and management of multiple PHP versions on Virtualmin across different Linux distributions: Ubuntu, Debian, and AlmaLinux/Rocky Linux.

Setting Up Multiple PHP Versions on Ubuntu

To install multiple PHP versions on Ubuntu, we will utilize the Ondřej Surý PPA, which is a reliable source for PHP packages.

Step 1: Update Your System

Open your terminal and ensure your system is up-to-date:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Add the Ondřej Surý PPA

Add the repository that contains the PHP packages:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ondrej/php
sudo apt update

Step 3: Install PHP Versions

Now you can install the desired PHP versions. For example, to install PHP 7.4 and PHP 8.0, run:

sudo apt install php7.4 php8.0 php7.4-fpm php8.0-fpm

Step 4: Configure PHP-FPM

Ensure that PHP-FPM is running for each version:

sudo systemctl start php7.4-fpm
sudo systemctl start php8.0-fpm

Installing PHP on Debian Systems

Debian users can similarly use the Ondřej Surý PPA to install multiple PHP versions.

Step 1: Update Your System

As with Ubuntu, start by updating your Debian system:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Add the Ondřej Surý PPA

To add the PPA, execute:

sudo apt install apt-transport-https lsb-release ca-certificates
sudo wget -qO - https://packages.sury.org/php/apt.gpg | sudo apt-key add -
echo 'deb https://packages.sury.org/php/ $(lsb_release -sc) main' | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/php.list
sudo apt update

Step 3: Install PHP Versions

Install your desired versions, e.g., PHP 7.4 and PHP 8.0:

sudo apt install php7.4 php8.0 php7.4-fpm php8.0-fpm

Step 4: Configure PHP-FPM

Check and start PHP-FPM service:

sudo systemctl start php7.4-fpm
sudo systemctl start php8.0-fpm

Configuring PHP on AlmaLinux/Rocky Linux

For AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux, the Remi repository is a popular choice for PHP installation.

Step 1: Enable the Remi Repository

First, install the EPEL repository and then the Remi repository:

sudo dnf install epel-release -y
sudo dnf install https://rpms.remirepo.net/enterprise/remi-release-8.rpm -y

Step 2: Enable the Desired PHP Module

Use the following command to enable the PHP version you want:

sudo dnf module enable php:remi-7.4 -y
sudo dnf module enable php:remi-8.0 -y

Step 3: Install PHP Versions

Install your required PHP versions:

sudo dnf install php php-fpm -y

Step 4: Start PHP-FPM Service

Make sure to start the PHP-FPM service:

sudo systemctl start php-fpm

Finalizing Configuration in Virtualmin

After installing the desired PHP versions, you need to inform Virtualmin about these installations and configure them for use on specific domains.

Step 1: Access Virtualmin

Log in to your Virtualmin dashboard.

Step 2: Refresh PHP Versions

Navigate to System Settings > Re-Check Config. This action prompts Virtualmin to detect the newly installed PHP versions.

Step 3: Configure Domain-Specific PHP Versions

For each domain, go to the Server Configuration > PHP Versions and select the desired PHP version from the dropdown menu. Be sure to enable PHP-FPM for better performance and isolation.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with the best preparations, you may encounter some common issues when setting up multiple PHP versions. Here are some troubleshooting tips:

Issue 1: PHP Versions Not Detected by Virtualmin

If Virtualmin does not recognize the installed PHP versions, ensure that:
– You have run the Re-Check Config option.
– The PHP-FPM services are running for each version you installed.

Issue 2: Conflicts with Existing PHP Installations

To avoid conflicts, ensure that only the desired PHP versions are enabled in your configuration and that older versions are properly disabled or removed.

Issue 3: Performance Issues with Older PHP Versions

Run performance tests to identify bottlenecks. If an older PHP version is causing issues, consider upgrading the application to a newer version compatible with the latest PHP.

Conclusion

Setting up multiple PHP versions on Virtualmin allows for greater flexibility in managing web applications. By following this guide, you can effectively install and configure PHP on Ubuntu, Debian, and AlmaLinux/Rocky Linux while utilizing Virtualmin’s capabilities to streamline per-domain management. Always remember to troubleshoot proactively to ensure your server runs smoothly.