What is being done?
As part of the adaptation to current versions and to maintain a modern server standard, we will soon be updating the operating system of your server from Ubuntu 20 to Ubuntu.
What does this mean?
1. Database
The database service MariaDB 10.5 is being replaced by MariaDB 10.11. The character set "utf8" (and the associated collations) is renamed to "utf8mb3".
2. PHP
The PHP versions 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 8.0, and 8.1 will no longer be available.
Therefore, PHP 5.6, 7.4, 8.2, and 8.3 will be available.
3. FTP, POP3, IMAP und SMTP
An encrypted connection to the mentioned services is only possible with currently secure encryption protocols (TLS 1.0/1.1 will no longer be supported). It can be assumed that all current standard clients will have no issues with this.
4. Apache
The mod_auth_mysql module will no longer be available; a possible alternative is mod_authn_dbm.
5. Statistics for Subdomains/Domains
To simplify the handling of log files in the future, these will only be created in the /logs/ folder in the main directory of the account. If you require statistics, they will now always be generated in the /usage/ folder in the main directory of the account. Log or statistics data in the web space path of the respective domains or subdomains will no longer be available. You can view website access statistics at yourdomain.com/usage.
How can I find out if the software used on my website is compatible with MariaDB 10.11? What can happen if it is not compatible?
Please consult the manufacturer of the software you are using. If the software is not compatible with MariaDB 10.11, there may be issues with database queries.
How can I find out if my FTP/email program (or local operating system) supports a current secure encryption protocol? What can happen if it does not?
Please consult the manufacturer of the software you are using. If a current secure encryption protocol is not supported, encrypted connections via FTP or POP3/IMAP/SMTP will no longer be possible after the server update.
How can I find out if I am using one of the PHP versions that will no longer be offered in the future? How can I change this, and what happens if I do not do it in time?
You can follow our guides step by step to find out which PHP version you are currently using and how to change it:
If, at the time of the server update, you have selected one of the PHP versions 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 8.0, or 8.1 for your (sub)domains in the KAS, PHP 7.0 - 7.3 will automatically be updated to PHP 7.4, and PHP 8.0/8.1 will be updated to PHP 8.2.
If you have set PHP 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 8.0, or 8.1 via .htaccess or file extension, you will receive an error message after the server update.
We strongly recommend that you take action in advance and make the necessary changes.
Unfortunately, my website is not compatible with MariaDB 10.11 or any of the currently offered PHP versions. What can I do?
If the software you are using is not compatible with MariaDB or any of the currently offered PHP versions, please check if there is a newer version of your software that supports it.
If there is no suitable update for your software to a current version, we recommend completely rebuilding your site. In general, manually adjusting more complex systems (blogs, CMS, shops, etc.) is not worth the effort or cost compared to the benefit.
Who can I contact if I need help?
Of course, our support team is here to assist you as usual. However, please understand that we cannot assist you with any necessary script adjustments. In such cases, please reach out to your webmaster, the manufacturer, or the community of the software you are using.