EasyApache 3 will be officially deprecated at the end of the year and WHM will no longer provide any patches for it.

In addition, EasyApache 3 is listed as an upgrade blocker in WHM version 78, which means that you will not be able to keep your WHM installation up to date without migrating to EasyApache 4. As a result, the move is now mandatory; otherwise your system will be exposed to serious security risks.

EasyApache 4 is a massive improvement over the previous version and simplifies system administration tasks. However, there are a few potential issues with the process; this article describes how to prepare for a smooth migration.

THE MIGRATION TOOL

The most convenient way to migrate to EasyApache 4 is to use the tool provided for this purpose by the developers of WHM.

You can find it in the Easy Apache 3 interface at WHM – Home – Software – EasyApache 3, but it can also be started from the EasyApache 4 menu.

The script will first check for potential issues, which are listed as warnings. You must confirm that you want to migrate, in order to start the process. A progress log is displayed and can be downloaded for further inspection at the end.

UNSUPPORTED SOFTWARE

The most important changes that you have to consider before migrating is that EasyApache 4 no longer supports some of the older software that was compatible with version 3, so your websites might not work correctly unless you update your code.

You must be especially careful if you use php 5.3, since the minimum version supported by EasyApache 4 is 5.4.

It is a good idea to test compatibility in advance, by activating php 5.4 in EasyApache 3. If the change breaks your application, go back to php 5.3 and contact a developer for the required code modifications. Be aware that php 5.4 is not available by default in EasyApache 4, so you have to install it if your code doesn’t work on newer versions.

Another major difference is that EasyApache 4 only provides Apache 2.4. If you are still using Apache 2.2, you can also test compatibility by activating the new version in EasyApache 3.

In most cases, the websites will work properly because Apache 2.4 includes a compatibility module that is able to automatically translate directives to the new format.

Any potential errors can usually be fixed quickly after some research on Google, with a few tweaks in your .htaccess files, so the assistance of a professional developer is not required.

The migration script will also warn you about any other modules that are no longer supported by EasyApache.

Most of these can be ignored, since they are modules that are not developed any more or have been replaced with better alternatives. Others are compiled by default or have been moved to other WHM menus.

If you use the FCGId Apache module, upgrade to version 76 of WHM before starting the migration process, since it is not supported in earlier releases.

SPECIAL CASES

Tomcat support was only added in the latest release of EasyApache 4, so in this case you also have to upgrade to WHM version 76 in advance.

The implementation of Tomcat in EasyApache 4 is quite different from the old one. While your application will continue to run after the conversion, it is a good idea to read the documentation carefully if you are a developer.

The migration tool can sometimes fail if your system is using Cloud Linux. In this case, run the script provided by the developers of Cloud Linux, which is available on the project’s website.

REVERTING TO EASYAPACHE 3

If you run into serious issues and need more time to prepare the migration, it is possible to revert to EasyApache 3.

Be aware that this option is no longer available if you have already updated WHM to version 78 or later.

The graphical interface doesn’t include the revert option, but it can be done from the command line by running the following command as the root user:

You will then have to follow the instructions on the screen. The same script can be used to execute the migration to EasyApache 4 from the command line.

After the conversion is completed, following the steps detailed in our article, it is time to enjoy the benefits of the new EasyApache version.

The main advantage is that packages are provided as RPMs and no longer compiled from source, which means easy automatic updates and a very fast build time, since new modules can be added without a full recompile.

Multiple versions of php are supported at the same time and can be defined for every virtual host, so you no longer have to select one for the entire server.

In addition, EasyApache 4 offers new software versions, such as php 7.2, providing significant performance and security improvements.