LAMPdocs: Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP

Sometimes you need to update your server software in order to comply with some new scripts, etc. It is quite hard to do this manually: it takes much time. Directasdmin guys have created a nice script, that allows you to update all you need at once, with a single command. Here is how to do this:

Let’s go to the main page where we can download the script itself. I’d recommend you to use version 1.1 of custombuild as it provides better functionality.  So, let’s go to the page with clear instructions what to do. I don’t think I can describe it better that developers did, that’s why I will just paste the solution here:

cd /usr/local/directadmin
mv custombuild custombuild.old
wget http://files.directadmin.com/services/custombuild/1.1/custombuild.tar.gz
tar xvzf custombuild.tar.gz
cd custombuild
./build update_data
#if you want to customize your options.conf (eg, setup suPhp/cgi, do it here.)
./build all d

You should take a look at options.conf as there could be anything you’d like to change. For example, this is related to PHP CLI version and other paramaters you might need to change. I will paste options.conf here too:

#PHP settings. default_php possible values – 4 or 5
default_php=5
php4_cli=no
php4_cgi=no
php5_cli=yes
php5_cgi=no
zend=yes

#Possible values – 4.1, 5.0
mysql=5.0
mysql_inst=no
mysql_backup=no

#Possible values – 1.3, 2.0 or 2.2
apache_ver=2.2

#Web applications
phpmyadmin=yes
atmail=no
squirrelmail=yes
roundcube=yes
uebimiau=no

#Mail options
exim=no
mail-header-patch=yes
dovecot=yes

#FTP options
proftpd=yes

#Jailed shell (beta)
jail=no

#CustomBuild options
autover=no
bold=yes
clean=yes

#Cron settings
cron=no
email=email@domain.com
notifications=yes
updates=no

#CustomBuild 1.2 settings
php6_cli=no
php6_cgi=no
php_ini=no
#Possible values – recommended or dist
php_ini_type=recommended
cleanapache=no
fileserver=1
eximconf=no

I don’t think it is necessary to explain as all the variables should be clear. ./build all d will do everything in one click that’s why I consider this build script really great for server administrators.  Just test it and you won’t use any other methods for DA servers anymore!

When you get your new Directadmin server, it comes with default settings like Apache 1.3 and PHP4. I have already written how to update PHP version to PHP5. Today I will post a solution that can be used to upgrade your apache installation on a Directadmin server.

The idea is not mine, it is taken from Directadmin Official Site and is also listed on Directadmin Forum. I will post it here as I am trying to create a comprehensive guide on how to deal with Linux servers. So, first of all we need to have root access, and I’d advise you to shut down Apache before trying to update it. The command is

service httpd stop

Next you need to do the following list of commands:

cd /usr/local/directadmin/customapache
./build update
./build clean
./build update_data_ap2
./build convert
./build apache_2
./build php_ap2 n
./build mod_frontpage_ap2
./build mod_perl_ap2
/sbin/service httpd restart

This will download and install the latest Apache build and will compile it with most used modules. After the Apache is rebooted, your changes are applied and you should have a fully functional version of Apache. I just performed this action on the VPS where this site is located in order to improve its performance. I recommend you to do the same.