How can I install ionCube loader libraries?

• Applies to: Grid
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Time Needed: 20
  • Tools Required: SSH, FTP
• Applies to: WordPress
  • Difficulty: N/A
  • Time Needed: 0
  • Tools Required: N/A
• Applies to: DV
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Time Needed: 20
  • Tools Required: None
• Applies to: DV 4.0
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Time Needed: 20
  • Tools Required: None

Overview

ionCube Loader libraries are installed on Media Temple servers with Plesk by default. cPanel users will need to install ionCube through either the CLI or WHM.

This article is provided as a courtesy. Installing, configuring, and troubleshooting third-party applications is outside the scope of support provided by Media Temple. Please take a moment to review the Statement of Support.

Instructions

The easiest way to install IonCube Loader libraries on cPanel is to connect to your server as root and execute the following command:

 phpextensionmgr install ionCubeLoader 

As of this writing, the above command installs the ionCube PHP loader version 4.7.5. If you aren't comfortable using the CLI or would like to toggle between versions 4 and 5, use the cPanel instructions below. Keep in mind that this method will require compiling Apache/PHP and may take several minutes to complete.

1. Start by logging in to WHM and clicking on Software.

• Alternatively, you can simply type EasyApache into the search field in the top left and skip to step 3.

2. Depending on which version you're using, select EasyApache 3 or 4 from the list. EasyApache 3 is enabled by default, but you will be alerted if you select the incorrect version.

3. Select your active template and click on the settings icon on the right.

4. Click on Next Step until you arrive at the Short Options List. Select either ionCube Loader version 4 or 5 depending on what you require.

• Once you've selected your version, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Save and Build.

Apache and PHP will now compile with your updated settings. This process may take up to half an hour. As always, please feel free to contact our award winning 24/7 support with any questions or concerns.

Resources

cPanel Documentation
Connecting via SSH

This article will assist you with installing the ionCube libraries on a particular domain on your Grid and modify your php.ini file to direct Apache to use them.

Installing ionCube loader libraries

1. First, we will download the libraries from the ionCube website and then upload them to your server in the correct directory.
1. Download the Linux x86-64 version libraries from http://www.ioncube.com/loaders.php. Please be sure to download the 64-bit version, as all Media Temple servers utilize 64 bit architecture.
2. Unarchive these files on your local computer. You should now have a folder called "ioncube" with the libraries inside it.
3. Connect to your server with FTP.
4. Navigate to your /home/00000/domains/example.com/ directory. Please replace 00000 with your site number, and example.com with your domain name.
5. Upload the entire folder called ioncube to your server, along with all of its contents.

   You should now have a folder directly inside your domain folder called ioncube which has the library files inside of it.

   Via SSH

   Alternatively, you can download and extract the libraries via SSH. Run these commands separately:

   Move to the correct directory (replace with your own site number and domain name):

   
   cd /home/00000/domains/example.com/
   

   Download the files:

   wget http://downloads3.ioncube.com/loader_downloads/ioncube_loaders_lin_x86-64.tar.gz

   Extract the files:

   tar zxvf ioncube_loaders_lin_x86-64.tar.gz

2. Next, we will configure your server to use the libraries.
1. In your FTP software, navigate to /home/00000/etc/.
2. By default, there is a file called php.ini.sample. Download a copy of this file.
3. In a plain text editor, such as Notepad, open the file and add these lines at the top - they MUST be at the top:
   php.ini

   zend_extension = /home/00000/domains/example.com/ioncube/ioncube_loader_lin_5.3.so

   Be sure to replace 00000 with your site number, and example.com with your domain name.

4. Save the file with the name php.ini.
5. Upload the file to your /home/00000/etc/ directory, where you originally downloaded it.

   Via SSH

   Alternatively, you can run the following command in SSH to modify your php.ini file (replace 00000 with your site number):

   vim /home/00000/etc/php.ini
   

   Add the lines from Step (c) above to the top of your php.ini file. Save and quit.

   vim tip: Press "i" to enter "insert mode" so you can type and copy/paste. Press "Esc" to exit "insert mode" when you are done modifying the file. Type ":wq" to save and quit.

3. Check that the module was successfully installed by visiting your PHP Info page. You can access this from the AccountCenter. Click on your primary domain, then on PHP Settings, then the link for PHP Stable or PHP Latest. Or, you can visit these URLs directly (replace 00000 with your site number):

   http://s00000.gridserver.com/gs-bin/phpinfo.php5

   You will see the ionCube Loader mentioned in the Zend Engine section near the top, and also listed in the Additional Modules section.

At this time, ionCube is unsupported on the Managed WordPress Hosting. Should you require ionCube on a site that is hosted on a Managed WordPress server, it may be necessary to migrate to a shared-hosting or VPS server.

Information on how to migrate a site can be found here, or you may feel free to contact our Support Staff by submitting a support request, opening a support chat, or by calling us at 1.310.841.5500 to find the best available options.