Here at Liquid Web, we are excited to announce the introduction of PHP versions 7.1 and 7.2 into the Cloud Sites technology suite. You can now create websites using these frameworks through your control panel via the easy to use drop down in your Cloud Sites dashboard.
We know that staying abreast of the latest technologies is key to your continued business success. You want and need the efficiencies and security that these new frameworks provide. Yet, it is not an easy journey to move off of the already established frameworks. That’s why we want to do everything we can to help you as we approach the end of life of PHP versions 5.6 and 7.0.
PHP recently ended active support of PHP 5.6 and 7.0 and in December 2018, security updates for these frameworks will end as well. At Liquid Web, we will also be sunsetting these frameworks from our environment. Our platform will not support/process PHP 5.6 and 7.0 starting mid-February 2019.
Although 2019 sounds like a long way off, making changes to your code will be daunting if you wait until the last minute. You will probably want help and need time to test websites on the older frameworks. Although we do not provide development assistance, we want to be sure to help you on your journey off of these older and unsupported PHP versions by providing you with all of the information you need regarding the sunsetting process of the old PHP frameworks.
First, starting April 17, 2018, PHP 7.2 will be the default website framework for the Cloudsites platform. Then, on May 15, 2018, we will be removing the ability to create websites on PHP 5.6 and 7.0 from the control panel. Rest assured, this change will not impact your present websites. We will be making this move on May 15th because we want to ensure that no one spends time creating a website to only have to turn around and modify it later this year.
Next, we are creating website nodes you can use for testing. Starting March 26, 2018, the below IPs can be used for testing your code. Please DO NOT repoint your DNS. Instead, we recommend that you create host files to access your code through the PHP 7.2 test nodes.(https://www.liquidweb.com/kb/dns-hosts-file/) Use your present test link (under your website details) to determine which IP address to use.
Example: http://www.exampledomainname.com.php56-21.phx1-2.websitetestlink.com would use the PHX1-2 IP to test
LAN3-1: 184.106.55.133
PHX1-1: 98.129.229.119
PHX1-2: 98.129.229.227
During the Summer of 2018, we will also be providing you with more information on the common problems encountered with deprecated code. In the Fall of 2018, we will be reaching out with new testlinks tailored to your specific websites.
Once you are satisfied with your testing, you can self-migrate your website at the time of your choosing, via the “change Technology” option in the Cloud Sites control panel.
We are excited about these new frameworks and are committed to helping you as we sunset the older and insecure versions.
If you have any questions, please reach out to our support team.
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